According to Master of Science, Doctor Nguyen Thi Phuong from the Nutrition Department at Tam Anh General Hospital Hanoi, breakfast plays a crucial role in physical and mental health. Individuals who regularly skip this meal may experience reduced energy, difficulty concentrating, and aggravated existing medical conditions.

**Individuals with stomach conditions**

After a long night, the amount of acid in the stomach increases significantly. Without food to neutralize it, this acid will continue to attack the stomach lining, intensifying pain and potentially leading to severe inflammation, ulcers, or gastrointestinal bleeding. Individuals with stomach conditions should eat breakfast early, ideally within one hour of waking, opting for soft, easily digestible foods like porridge, pho, bread, boiled eggs, or milk. It is important to avoid spicy, sour foods and coffee on an empty stomach.

**Diabetic patients**

Skipping breakfast causes a sharp drop in blood sugar levels, forcing the body to mobilize insulin-antagonistic hormones to regulate and increase blood sugar. This results in a sudden spike in blood sugar during lunch or dinner. Over time, skipping breakfast increases insulin resistance, raising the risk of type 2 diabetes in healthy individuals.

Diabetic patients should eat breakfast with a balanced portion of complex carbohydrates, protein, and fiber. *Illustration: Thanh Ba*

According to recommendations from the American Diabetes Association (ADA), diabetic patients should eat breakfast with a balanced portion of complex carbohydrates, protein, and fiber. Examples include combining oats, eggs, whole-grain bread, and green vegetables to maintain stable energy and prevent blood sugar fluctuations.

**Children**

Young children require a substantial amount of energy for learning and development. Skipping breakfast deprives the brain of glucose, leading to fatigue, poor concentration, and reduced ability to learn and remember. Children's breakfast should include all four essential nutrient groups: carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals. A glass of milk, eggs, bread, and fresh fruit is a simple yet complete nutritional choice.

**Individuals in intellectually demanding and high-intensity jobs**

Individuals who require high concentration in their work, such as office workers, engineers, teachers, or doctors, need stable energy from breakfast. Skipping the first meal of the day can lead to hypoglycemia, causing headaches, dizziness, loss of concentration, and reduced work efficiency. When the brain does not receive enough energy, the body tends to overeat at lunch, dinner, or in the evening, leading to excess calorie storage and weight gain.

**Individuals seeking weight loss**

A common misconception is to skip breakfast to lose weight. In reality, skipping breakfast leads to prolonged hunger, increasing cravings and often resulting in overeating at subsequent meals. Individuals who maintain a regular breakfast habit tend to manage their weight better, thanks to stable metabolism and controlled cravings.

**The elderly**

In older adults, metabolism slows down, and nutrient absorption decreases. Skipping breakfast can lead to a lack of energy, low blood pressure, hypoglycemia, fatigue, blurred vision, and dizziness. Individuals with underlying conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or hypertension may experience serious complications if they frequently skip breakfast. The elderly should eat a light, nutritious breakfast, avoiding excessively oily foods, and prioritizing steamed or boiled dishes, unsweetened milk, porridge, eggs, and soft bread.

**Pregnant women**

During pregnancy, mothers need to provide nutrition for both themselves and their babies. Skipping breakfast can cause fatigue, dizziness, and low blood pressure in the mother, while also affecting fetal development. Pregnant women should eat breakfast within 30 minutes of waking, prioritizing foods rich in iron, protein, and calcium, such as eggs, milk, cereals, green vegetables, and fresh fruits.

Eating carelessly, consuming many fried foods, or having breakfast late near noon can diminish the meal's metabolic regulating effect. Doctor Phuong advises having a nutritious breakfast within one to two hours of waking. Prioritize natural, minimally processed foods and limit fast food.

Thanh Ba