Does leaving home in the morning on an empty stomach make you fat? – GOOD SHAPE

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Are you one of those people who don’t like to eat in the early hours of the day? Don’t feel so guilty. Nutritionist James Betts, from the University of Bath, in England, compared two groups of volunteers (one who consumed 700 calories in the breakfast and the other who skipped that meal) and did not see a significant difference in weight gain.

But not all professionals in this field agree with James. “There is evidence that a good breakfast, rich in fiber and protein, allows you to better manage your appetite and reduce compulsion”, says endocrinologist Francisco Tostes, from Rio de Janeiro. One way out is to pay attention to your body’s response. Do you wake up not hungry? “Eating a piece of cheese or a piece of fruit with cereal is enough to break the fast”, concludes Francis.