#Breakfast

A recent study has found a notable association between skipping breakfast and elevated depressive symptoms among young people—a relationship that sheds new light on how daily routines may influence mental health. The research, conducted with over 3,000 Hong Kong youths and published in the journal Frontiers in Psychiatry, points to subtle yet measurable links between breakfast habits, impulsivity, and mental wellbeing, especially among those aged 15 to 24 (psypost.org).

Dieticians and mental health experts have long emphasized the importance of breakfast, but this study is one of the largest to specifically connect meal-skipping with psychological symptoms in Asian youth. For Thai readers, whose breakfast culture ranges from modest rice porridge to noodle soups and fried treats, these findings highlight the intersection between traditional eating habits and mental health—a subject growing in relevance as lifestyles become busier across Thailand.

Starting your day with a protein-rich breakfast is gaining robust scientific support, with the latest research and expert opinions pointing to significant benefits for health, energy, and even disease prevention. Registered dietitians and new studies alike are emphasizing the powerful effects that morning protein intake can have on your body and mind, a message that carries particular relevance as Thailand navigates changing dietary patterns and rising rates of lifestyle-related diseases.

A recent expert analysis, published on April 27, 2025, has reignited the debate about whether breakfast is truly the “most important meal of the day,” delivering surprising findings that challenge long-held nutritional conventions. With more Thai adults and youth experimenting with intermittent fasting or skipping breakfast for convenience or health goals, understanding the latest science is increasingly relevant for families, health professionals, and educators across Thailand.

For decades, breakfast has been upheld as the nutritional cornerstone that kickstarts metabolism, supports energy levels, and enhances cognitive performance. However, millions of people around the world—including many Thais—now regularly skip breakfast, whether as part of busy routines or guided by new dietary trends like intermittent fasting. The latest scientific research, combined with insights from leading nutritionists, paints a nuanced picture of the potential metabolic and cognitive outcomes of this habit.

As the Thai saying goes, “กินข้าวเช้า กินดี มีเรี่ยวแรง”—eat well at breakfast and you’ll have energy for the day. But with busy modern routines, many Thais skip or rush through breakfasts, often reaching for sugary drinks or convenience foods. Yet, recent research and nutritionist advice spotlight just how essential it is to start the day with meals that fuel our bodies and support gut health—two pillars for all-day energy and long-term wellness.

Could the humble walnut hold the secret to keeping your mind sharp from breakfast until dusk? Recent findings by researchers at the University of Reading strongly suggest so, with evidence now showing that simply adding a handful of walnuts to your morning meal can measurably improve mental performance throughout the day. The study, published in the scientific journal Food & Function and widely reported by reputable news outlets including The Independent (source: The Independent), tracked 32 healthy young adults, aged 18 to 30, who consumed either a walnut-rich breakfast or a calorie-matched breakfast without nuts on different occasions. Their subsequent six hours were filled with cognitive testing and brain activity measurements—yielding results with significant implications for anyone seeking a mental edge in daily life.

A recent study from the University of Reading has brought a simple but impactful message to breakfast tables around the world, including Thailand: adding just a handful of walnuts to your morning meal could significantly enhance your brain function throughout the day. This research, published in the journal Food & Function, found that young adults who consumed 50 grams of walnuts with their muesli and yoghurt at breakfast enjoyed faster reaction times and improved memory performance, but with interesting timing differences—memory benefits were especially notable later in the day compared to those who ate a calorie-matched breakfast without nuts (The Independent, University of Reading, Sci.News).

Recent insights suggest that making breakfast your largest meal of the day aligns with your body’s natural rhythms, enhancing digestion and energy levels, according to experts such as Michelle Routhenstein, a cardiology dietitian at Entirely Nourished. This renewed focus on breakfast comes as research shows that our metabolism is more efficient during the morning hours source.

In Thailand, where diverse breakfast traditions, like the hearty breakfast rice dish khao tom, already form an essential part of the culture, these findings resonate well. It supports the practice of starting the day with balanced nutrition, which is especially valuable for Thai people navigating busy urban lifestyles in cities like Bangkok.