Breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dine like a pauper to lose weight, scientists confirm

It is said that the best way to live is to breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dine like a pauper, and now scientists have proven the historical maxim correct.

A study of 50,000 people found that those who made breakfast their largest meal of the day has a lower Body Mass Index (BMI) than people who waited until supper, even when they ate a similar number of calories.

For the average man in Britain, weighing 13.16 stone, the difference could shave six pounds from weight without having to exercise more or eat less. For some people it would also be enough to shift their BMI from unhealthy to healthy.

Researchers from Loma Linda University School of Public Health in California also found that extending the time between the final food of the day and breakfast was also associated with lower BMIs.

Dr Hana Kahleova, lead author, said to maintain a healthy weight people should eat breakfast and lunch, skip supper, avoid snacks, make breakfast the largest meal of the day and fast for up to 18 hours a night.

“Eating a large breakfast reduces hunger cravings, especially for sweets and fats thus counteracting weight gain,” concluded Dr Kahleova.

“Regular breakfast consumption seems to increase satiety, reduce total energy intake, improve overall dietary quality, reduce blood lipid and improve insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance.

“On the other hand , eating meals in the evening generally has the opposite effects, all of which adversely affect body weight.”

The research was published in the Journal of Nutrition.