Eating Or Not Eating Breakfast? That Shouldn’t Be A Question (According to TCM Wisdom On The Body Clock)

Don’t skip it

Eating or skipping breakfast has entered the complex battleground of nutrition and health in recent years. It seems that the tug-of-war is not completely settled yet, as intermittent fasting has gained popularity in the mainstream.

And research studies on this subject? Let’s say the landscape appears complicated.

I belong to the crowd that supports that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I always eat breakfast and believe it is a no-brainer. After all, it’s the meal to provide us with fuel and nutrition as a day begins.

Sure, morning can be really rushed. Occasional skipping breakfast? Chill, it won’t cut the lifespan.

But touting skipping breakfast as the trendy thing to lose weight and benefit health seems like a disturbing message. Perhaps a few high-profile achievers are handling this well, but it does not mean it suits the majority of us.

Actually, it could be counter-productive, as you could end up hungry and crave more along with large meals later in the day.

You may think it does not matter as long as you get a similar calorie intake.

Think again.

Although different studies questioned whether breakfast is the most important meal of the day, a report published in December last year based on a systematic review, indicates a greater proportion of total energy intake earlier in the day is positively influencing weight loss and health, potentially due to greater synchronization of human body circadian rhythms.

And modern research continues to understand the correlation between breakfast and biological rhythms to promote breakfast consumption.

Interestingly, the ancient wisdom of TCM has already provided us with a unique insight into the body’s clock.

And eating breakfast is in tune with it.

TCM was founded on Taoism and documented in medical classics more than 2000 years ago. It views the human body as a microcosm of the universe. There is an intriguing framework in TCM about the body clock called 子午流注, where the body’s rhythm is based on the 12 major meridians.

In the 24-hour cycle, every 2 hours corresponds to one organ meridian, during which period the Qi of that organ meridian is the strongest and functioning optimally. Qi here can be interpreted as energy for simplicity.

Keep in mind that TCM organs have a more comprehensive meaning than the modern anatomy definition. It’s more like a system consisting of multiple parts based on their interrelations and characteristics (see post “Opposites are complementary” on TCM and the Five Element system). For instance, the spleen system in TCM also includes the pancreas.

This framework can help guide our activities such as the best time for eating and sleeping among other things. In addition, it is also applied in TCM examinations. Because certain organ abnormalities or associated emotions could be most noticeable during its clock slot, providing a hint for TCM diagnostics if the discomfort is time-sensitive during the 24-hour cycle.

According to TCM, 7 am to 9 am is governed by the stomach meridian. This is the time to eat a nutritious breakfast as the digestive function is at its best.

Warm food is recommended.

9 am-11 am belongs to the spleen meridian. The spleen system in TCM plays a crucial role in the absorption and digestion of nutrients. Eating breakfast in the 7 am- 9 am timeslot following the body’s natural flow can best utilize the body’s digestive function for health benefits.

On the other hand, irregular eating patterns would disturb the body’s natural rhythm. No wonder that “饮食有节” aka moderation and routine is the key TCM principle for diet.

The stomach and spleen system share a paired complementary relationship (表里) in TCM Five Element theory. There is a famous saying in TCM, “有胃气则生 无胃气则死”. It means that a patient can stay alive as long as there is sufficient stomach/spleen Qi, even if the disease seems pretty serious.

Stomach/spleen Qi i.e., overall digestive function and appetite is one key focus in TCM which could be modulated by lifestyle, dietary therapy as well as herbal medicine. TCM doctors often pay close attention to this aspect to help judge the healing ability based on the patient’s stomach/spleen Qi,

If you skip breakfast because you are not feeling hungry, you may want to avoid large and late dinners. Leave at least 3 hours between your last meal and bedtime, and take a stroll after dinner. Both habits also promote a good night’s sleep.

If you skip breakfast to lose weight, note that results have been inconsistent from various studies (and the opposite could be true). The habit may even lead to an increased risk of inflammation.

If you are too busy to have breakfast routinely, be gentle to yourself and make time for it.

It is not just what you eat, but also when you eat. Following the body’s clock will help us live a healthy and productive life.

Enjoy your breakfast.

This post is for informational purposes only. It should not be considered health advice.

Thank you for reading. I write about culture, work-life learning, and the ancient wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine for better living. Click here if you would like to be notified when I publish.