Can kids skip breakfast?

There are tons of questions about intermittent fasting. Can kids skip breakfast? And what do you do if you develop a headache while fasting?

Dr. Jason Fung is one of the world’s leading experts on fasting for weight loss or diabetes reversal. Here are a his answers to those questions and more:

Fasting and Headache

Hi Dr. Fung,

I have just jumped into a 32-hour fasting yesterday. I had almost no hunger feelings but a terrible headache during the day and the last night.

Would it be ok to take a headache pill with acetylsalicylic acid (called aspirin here in Denmark) during my next 32-hour fasting or do you consider it to be a “no go”?

Annette

 
Annette,

I see no problem with taking over the counter analgesics. Headaches are very common when starting fasting and usually go away after a few times. Also remember to stay well hydrated and suplement with salt if needed.

Dr. Jason Fung

Hunger Pains

Hi Dr. Fung,

Is it possible to shrink the size of your stomach by controlling your portions (not gastric bypass) so that overtime you are physically not able to eat as much and not feel hungry at all?

I have been on LCHF for 12 weeks now and want to step it up a bit for the next 12 weeks to see if my weight loss improves. My 12 week experiment includes keeping carbs under 20 g, protein under 55 g, and fat under 92 g as I hope this will put me in true ketosis.

However, I have noticed that along with fasting from 7 p.m. to 11 a.m. daily – this is strict and I am some days more hungry than other days. If I stick to it – will it one day become the norm and I will no longer feel hunger pains?

Also, can you please recommend some books on athletes that use intermittent fasting so I can read up?

Thank you,
Pharelle

 
Pharelle,

The stomach does become slightly smaller if you fast, but most of the effect is hormonal.

I don’t know of any book specifically for athletes and fasting. There is little enough written about fasting as is.

Dr. Jason Fung

Can Kids Skip Breakfast?

I was recently watching one of your lectures and noticed your circadian rhythm chart. I was wondering if anyone has looked into whether, according to the circadian rhythm, IF would be more effective skipping the dinner meal instead of the breakfast meal (IE 18:6 fasting window from 1 pm to 7 am vs. fasting window from 7 pm to 1 pm).

Also, my 8-year-old is not hungry in the morning. Often he goes to school without eating breakfast, not because it’s not offered, but simply because he doesn’t feel like eating anything. I know that you don’t recommend fasting for children, but is there any harm in skipping breakfast if he doesn’t want it?

Amberly

 
Amberly,

Yes, according to circadian rhythm, it may be better to skip dinner than breakfast. However, from my own work schedule, it is easier for me to skip breakfast, so that is what I often do.

It is no problem for your son to skip breakfast if he is not hungry. If his body is refusing food, there is no reason to force it in. The problem arises when people skip breakfast and use that as an excuse to eat a donut at 10:30.

Dr. Jason Fung

 

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