DAVE ROSS

Ross: 50,000 years of human evolution and we’re still debating breakfast

May 27, 2016, 5:43 AM | Updated: 6:42 am

Is it stupid to skip breakfast?

One of The New York Times’ most popular stories this week was a piece by Dr. Aaron Carroll, a professor of pediatrics at the Indiana University School of Medicine, who is also known online as the “Incidental Economist,” and who recently revealed on his YouTube channel that he doesn’t eat breakfast.

I could identify with this because, except for maybe a carrot, I don’t eat breakfast either. And I’ve always had to fend off criticism from people who think that’s unhealthy and stupid.

Related: Is the latest report on modified food reassuring, or a ‘400-page doorstop’?

Well, according to Dr. Carroll – and did I mention he’s a doctor – it’s perfectly healthy. Because if you’re not hungry you shouldn’t force yourself to eat.

Yes, there are several studies that found an association between skipping breakfast and scary things like obesity and heart disease. But Dr. Carroll points out that a statistical association is no reason to overrule your instincts. As they say in medical school: Correlation does not imply causation.

Carroll also observes that these pro-breakfast studies tend to be funded by, shall we say, interested parties.

The Kellogg Company … the Quaker Oats Center of Excellence.”

As for the most rigorous studies that show kids do better in school when they have a full breakfast, these are kids who are hungry because their families are struggling. He has no problem with school breakfast programs.

“Hungry kids should be fed, but this different from forcing kids to eat if they don’t want to,” he said.

So there it is. Eat breakfast if you’re hungry, but if you’re not, don’t!

Fifty-thousand years of human evolution and we’re still debating Cheerios.

Dave's Commentary

Dave Ross on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM
  • listen to dave rossTune in to KIRO Newsradio weekdays at 5am for Dave Ross on Seattle's Morning News.

Dave Ross

drivers data insurance...

Dave Ross

Ross: As cars release driving data to insurance, is your driving my business?

Every move you make, every swerve you take, every lane change you fake – someone’s watching you. Do drivers have a right to keep driving data private?

1 day ago

rent control...

Dave Ross

Ross: Rent control was never the answer in Wash.

The rent control bill died in the Washington State Legislature this week, even though Democrats control both houses.

21 days ago

end of democracy...

Dave Ross

Ross: Conservative activist earns applause for pledging an ‘end of Democracy’

The theme from Jack Posobiec's speech is that Jan. 6 was a righteous attack not on democracy, but on those who threaten democracy.

22 days ago

Image: Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colorado, is seen on Capitol Hill on Jan. 6, 2023. (Photo: Alex Brand...

Dave Ross

Ross: Voters can help cull bad politicians from the herd early

Let's remember that just about every occupant of a higher office once occupied a lower office, and was put there by us, Dave Ross says.

29 days ago

Super Bowl celebration...

Dave Ross

Ross: The NFL does it again

The NFL once again put on a show that was able to keep me tuned in for four hours even though I had no stake in either team.

1 month ago

social media...

Dave Ross

Ross: Is the Wild West of social media over after Senate hearing?

The original social media business model was genius -- get ordinary people to create content for free, sell ads and give the content creators a cut.

2 months ago

Ross: 50,000 years of human evolution and we’re still debating breakfast