Let’s Make Breakfast Cool Again

After sleeping 6-8 hours, your liver is depleted of its primary fuel source, glycogen (stored glucose). If you skip breakfast and engage in intermittent fasting, your body will start releasing the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline, which signal enzymes in your liver to begin breaking down your tissues to make glucose in a process called gluconeogenesis. This is how the body fuels itself when there is not sufficient energy coming in from food.

The body is very intelligent and will always fight for survival, but this adaptation creates stress on the body. Imagine you have to use a generator to create energy instead of being plugged into the power grid.

Drinking coffee in a fasted state, before replenishing glycogen stores with a nutritious breakfast, will further increase the release of stress hormones as the liver tries to keep up with increased demand for energy. It's as if you're slamming on the gas pedal when the tank is entirely empty. Intermittent fasting, low-calorie diet, and caloric restriction are popular methods for weight loss, but it's important to understand the impact of fasting on your body.

To achieve the benefits of fasting, such as weight loss and metabolic health, without elevating stress levels, it is recommended to enjoy a yummy and nourishing breakfast before drinking coffee. This will replenish glycogen stores, provide ample energy in the form of ATP, and keep you motivated and focused throughout the day.