Is it okay to skip carbohydrates in the morning?
Dec 08, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Huang Yuhong
Introduction
However, consistently skipping carbohydrates in the morning over a long period may lead to insufficient energy supply, causing dizziness, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating—especially in individuals with high physical or mental demands. Moreover, since carbohydrates are the brain's primary energy source, prolonged deficiency may impair cognitive function and trigger excessive eating at lunch due to hunger, which could ultimately be counterproductive for weight management.
Generally, skipping carbohydrates in the morning may be feasible for some individuals, but doing so long-term or for certain populations could be detrimental. If in doubt, it's advisable to adjust based on individual conditions. A detailed analysis is as follows:
For individuals aiming to manage weight or blood glucose levels, temporarily replacing morning carbohydrates with protein and vegetables can reduce calorie intake, prevent rapid blood sugar fluctuations, and maintain satiety throughout the morning, thus not affecting work or study performance.
However, consistently skipping carbohydrates at breakfast over a long period may lead to insufficient energy supply, resulting in dizziness, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating—symptoms particularly noticeable among those with high physical or mental demands. Moreover, since carbohydrates are the brain’s primary energy source, prolonged deficiency may impair cognitive function and trigger excessive eating at lunch due to intense hunger, ultimately undermining weight management efforts.
It is recommended to include moderate amounts of high-quality carbohydrates in breakfast, such as whole-grain bread, oats, and mixed grains, combined with protein and vegetables to ensure balanced nutrition. Special populations should adjust their diet according to their health status, avoiding prolonged extreme dietary patterns.
