Should You Skip Breakfast? Insights from the Best Ayurvedic Centre in Chennai

By Dr. Shaji Raj, Founder & Chief Physician, Punarjanis Life Sciences

 When patients ask me, “Doctor, is it good to skip breakfast to lose weight or control diabetes?”

— I understand where they’re coming from. Intermittent fasting and time-restricted eating have become modern trends. But as someone with over 33 years of clinical experience, let me tell you this:

Skipping breakfast might do more harm than good

At Punarjanis Life Sciences, recognized by many as the Best Ayurvedic Centre in Chennai, we combine time-tested Ayurvedic wisdom with the best of modern nutrition. If you’re searching for the Best Ayurvedic Hospital in Chennai or seeking the Best Ayurvedic Centre in Chennai for holistic guidance, this is something you must understand.

The Trend: Why People Skip Breakfast

Many people skip breakfast for the following reasons:

• Intermittent fasting trends on social media
• Busy lifestyles, especially among women juggling multiple responsibilities
• Lack of morning appetite due to acidity, reflux, or nausea

But skipping breakfast can disrupt your body’s natural biological rhythm — and Ayurveda views this as a serious imbalance.

Why Your Body Needs Breakfast – The Ayurvedic Perspective

In Ayurveda, Agni (digestive fire) is strongest in the early part of the day. Breakfast kindles this fire and provides the essential energy and nutrients to begin repair, rejuvenation, and metabolism after the night’s rest. From a biological standpoint:

• Sleep is a time of repair; morning is the time for
• The body requires amino acids in the morning to rebuild muscle and
• If you skip breakfast, your body pulls protein from muscles — leading to muscle loss or sarcopenia, especially in individuals above 40.

Modern science supports this too. We need 1.6–2.2g of protein per kg of body weight per day — and morning is the most efficient time to absorb protein.

Circadian Rhythm and Metabolism

Your circadian rhythm (biological clock) aligns your metabolism with light and time.

• Your insulin sensitivity is highest in the morning
• Your body efficiently converts food into energy in the early hours
• Skipping breakfast throws this alignment off balance and weakens your metabolism

So, eating breakfast supports metabolism, blood sugar control, and even cardiovascular health.

What About Fasting?

Fasting is good — but not at the cost of skipping breakfast

“Fasting for 12 to 14 hours is beneficial, but skipping breakfast during fasting can be harmful.” If you’re fasting, try an early dinner instead of skipping the first meal of the day.

The Ideal Ayurvedic Breakfast: Practical Options

At Punarjanis Life Sciences Chennai, we recommend that your breakfast should:

1. Provide 30–50g of protein
2. Contain 15g of fibre
3. Be satisfying and digestible (Ahara Shuddhi)
4. Support muscle maintenance, gut health, and metabolism

Here are 4 ideal breakfast ideas:

1. Harmony Smoothie – fruits, seeds, plant protein, cinnamon, ginger
2. Omelette + Cheese + Veggies – satisfying and rich in protein
3. Millet Upma or Khichdi – includes seasonal veggies and ghee
4. Protein bowl – with berries, pomegranate, nuts and seeds

The Real Danger of Skipping Breakfast

Skipping breakfast can lead to:

• Muscle loss (especially with age)
• Poor metabolism and insulin resistance
• Fatigue and sugar cravings later in the day
• Misalignment of Agni and Doshas according to Ayurveda

Moreover, many people who skip breakfast overeat later in the day, choosing foods high in sugar, salt, or processed carbs — defeating the purpose of fasting altogether.

Final Thoughts

As the Chief Physician at Punarjanis Life Sciences, I always guide patients to live in harmony with their body’s natural clock. Skipping breakfast may seem like a shortcut to health — but in reality, it starves your metabolism and disrupts your body’s natural wisdom.

Ayurveda teaches us that timing, digestion, and balance are more important than any diet trend. If you wish to reclaim your energy, strength, and longevity, start your day with a nourishing breakfast.

If you’re seeking the Best Ayurvedic Hospital in Chennai, or exploring options for the Best Ayurvedic Centre in Chennai, I invite you to consult with us at Punarjanis Life Sciences — where time-tested Ayurvedic solutions meet deep clinical wisdom.

Let us help you rediscover health — one balanced morning at a time.

Visit us at Punarjanis Life Sciences, Chennai

For appointments, call: +91 95000 01177

Website: www.punarjanis.com

Email: info@punarjanis.com