What can you never eat for breakfast?

Breakfast is considered by many to be the most important meal of the day. It breaks the overnight fasting period and provides energy and nutrients to start your day. While breakfast preferences vary widely between cultures and individuals, there are some foods that are universally not considered appropriate breakfast foods.

Table of Contents

Dinner Entrees as Breakfast

Foods like steak, pork chops, chicken breasts, or fish fillets are rarely eaten at breakfast time. These hearty protein-based entrees are more commonly associated with lunch or dinner. There are several reasons these types of entrees do not make good breakfast choices:

They take time to prepare and cook which is not ideal first thing in the morning when people are often rushed.

They are heavy, rich foods that can lead to feeling overly full and sluggish.
Culturally they are associated with evening meals and do not align with breakfast food norms.

Of course there are always exceptions. Some people enjoy breakfasts such as chicken fried steak and eggs or a juicy hamburger first thing in the morning. However, within most cultures dinner entrees are rarely considered typical or appropriate morning fare.

Desserts and Sweets

Desserts and sweets like cakes, pies, cookies, and ice cream are not commonly eaten at breakfast time. There are a few reasons these sugary treats do not make wise breakfast choices:

They lack protein, fiber, and other nutrients the body needs to start the day off right.
The simple sugars can cause a quick spike and crash in blood sugar levels.

They do not provide lasting energy and satiety.

Occasionally indulging in a sweet treat at breakfast may be fine. But making dessert a daily breakfast habit is not recommended for optimal health and energy levels.

Savory Snacks and Appetizers

Foods like chips, pretzels, crackers, French fries, and mozzarella sticks are often categorized as snacks or appetizers. They are not typically thought of as breakfast items. Here’s why these savory snacks do not make healthy or ideal breakfast choices:

They are often highly processed and high in salt, fat, and calories without providing much nutrition.
They lack protein, fiber, and other nutrients important for breakfast.
They do not contain whole grains or fruits/vegetables.

They may lead to spikes and crashes in blood sugar levels.

Occasional indulgences at breakfast are fine for most healthy adults. But making a daily habit of chips, crackers, and other savory snacks in the morning is not a healthy choice.

Leftovers from Dinner

Eating leftovers for breakfast that were originally dinner entrees or side dishes is often frowned upon. There are some valid reasons these leftovers may not make the best breakfast choices:

They tend to be heavier, richer dishes like casseroles, pasta, or pizza that can weigh you down first thing in the morning.
They were designed to be eaten as a dinner, not a morning meal.
They often do not contain typical breakfast foods and nutrients.

The flavors may be too heavy, spicy, or rich for morning.

However, there are no strict rules. Leftover dinners can be adapted to make perfectly acceptable breakfasts in moderation. For example, leftover chicken breast could be diced up for a morning salad or wrap. Pizza could be reheated and served open-faced on an English muffin. And leftover rice and beans could be transformed into a veggie burrito.

Beans, Lentils, and Legumes

Foods like kidney beans, chickpeas, lentils, and split peas are highly nutritious. But they are not traditional breakfast foods in many cultures. There are some factors that make beans and legumes less than ideal breakfast choices for most people:

They have a long cooking time which is not practical first thing in the morning.
As a protein source, they lack the richness and familiarity of eggs, meat, or dairy.
Their high fiber content could lead to gastrointestinal discomfort if consumed early.

They have a relatively bland taste profile on their own compared to other breakfast staples.

However, beans, lentils and legumes can certainly be incorporated into a balanced breakfast in moderation. They provide protein, fiber, and nutrients. Some examples could include lentils in soup, chickpeas in an egg scramble, or hummus on whole grain toast.

Salad as a Main Dish

Fresh salads make for quick, healthy, and delicious lunches or dinners. But they are rarely considered an appropriate breakfast entree. Here are some reasons salads are not ideal as breakfast main dishes:

Salads are light fare and typically do not provide lasting energy and fullness to start the day.
Many common salad ingredients like leafy greens, raw veggies, and vinaigrette are not traditional breakfast foods.
The effort of chopping and assembling a salad is not very feasible first thing in the morning when time is limited.

Salads are associated more as sides or lunches rather than a main breakfast dish.

Salads can certainly be enjoyed at breakfast time. But they are usually best as a side rather than the main dish. Some examples could include a spinach salad as a side to eggs or enjoying fresh fruit salad topped with yogurt as a light breakfast.

Spicy, Heavy Dishes

Spicy, flavorful dishes like chili, curry, barbecued ribs, or buffalo wings are popular meals but rarely eaten at breakfast time. Here are some reasons heavy spicy dishes do not make good morning fare:

The spicy heat and strong flavors can be overpowering first thing in the morning.
They often take time to prepare so are not very convenient breakfasts when time is limited.
The meaty, fatty, and rich qualities do not align with lighter breakfast norms.

They may lead to gastrointestinal discomfort, heartburn, or acid reflux when eaten early.

While spicy dishes can be a little heavy for breakfast for many people, there are always exceptions. Some enjoy spicy foods even first thing in the morning. Scrambled eggs with salsa or hot sauce, for example, can satisfy spice cravings at breakfast time.

Raw Vegetables and Fruits

A plate of raw broccoli, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, or uncooked apples may make a nice snack or side dish. But they are not commonly eaten as a main breakfast dish. There are a few reasons these raw produce items are breakfast outliers:

They often take more time, effort and tools to wash, peel, chop, and prepare.
Their harder, crunchy textures do not pair as nicely with morning beverages like coffee or tea.
They lack familiar hot breakfast flavors, textures, and cooking methods.

Their water content and fiber content may be disruptive if consumed early.

Fresh fruit is certainly a breakfast staple for many. And raw veggies and fruits can be welcome additions to a balanced morning meal. But raw produce on its own lacks the familiar flavors, textures, heartiness, and preparation methods that are best suited for breakfast.

Sauces, Condiments, and Dips

Foods like ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, guacamole, and ranch dressing are usually considered accompaniments rather than breakfast foods themselves. There are some reasons these sauces, condiments, and dips are breakfast outliers:

They lack protein and other nutrients required in a balanced breakfast.
Their intense flavors and seasonings may be overpowering in the morning.
Some, like mayonnaise and creamy dips, have a rich density unsuited for morning.

They are designed and associated more as condiments rather than main dishes.

In moderation, condiments and dips can be welcome additions to a complete breakfast. Ketchup on eggs, jam on toast, or hummus on a breakfast sandwich can enhance other breakfast components. But on their own, condiments and dips do not make a well-rounded morning meal.

Broths, Soups, and Stews

Hearty dishes like beef stew, potato soup, ramen noodles, and chicken noodle soup are rarely considered breakfast foods. Here are some insights into why soups, stews and broths are not common morning choices:

Their hearty, dense, filling qualities are better suited to lunches and dinners.
Their preparation time is typically too long for most rushed breakfast schedules.
The seasonings and flavor profiles tend to be too strong for morning.

They do not contain typical breakfast ingredients like eggs, grains, fruit.

While soups and stews are not very common for breakfast, they can be adapted to work well in some cases. For instance, chicken noodle soup could be reheated and served with a toasted English muffin. Or vegetable broth could be simmered with eggs to poach. So with some creativity, heartier soups and stews can make satisfying morning meals.

Full Meals and Entrees

Most people would not cook and eat a full dinner meal first thing in the morning. Hearty entrees like meatloaf, lasagna, roast chicken, or casseroles are rarely considered breakfast fare. Here are some reasons full meals do not work well for morning:

They take significant time to prepare when mornings need convenience.
They tend to be heaviest at dinner time and too heavy for breakfast.
Their strong flavors are best appreciated later in the day.

They go against cultural breakfast norms and expectations.

While traditional dinner entrees are not common breakfast picks, hearty breakfast entrees are certainly popular. Options like omelets, breakfast burritos, hot cereal, pancakes, and more provide plenty of morning meal options.

Should Dinner Foods Be Off Limits for Breakfast?

While typical dinner entrees and side dishes are not customary breakfast choices for most cultures, they are not necessarily off limits. Some important considerations around eating dinner foods for breakfast include:

Preparation time – Choose dishes that can be quickly and easily adapted for morning if time is limited.
Nutrition – Pair dinner leftovers with typical breakfast foods to make a balanced meal.
Portion size – Moderate portions of heavier foods may be better tolerated in morning.

Personal preferences – Consider your own tastes and culture’s norms, and enjoy anything you desire!

With some creativity and common sense, leftovers and other less conventional dishes can absolutely be enjoyed at breakfast time by many people.

Conclusion

While there are no strict rules about what can and cannot be eaten for breakfast, centuries of cultural norms and physiological tendencies have shaped certain categories of foods as breakfast “outliers.” Dinner entrees, desserts, snacks, raw produce, and other dishes deviate from standard breakfast norms for reasons of preparation time, flavor profiles, textures, nutrition content, and more. But with an open mind and some creative adaptations, almost any dish could be fair game for a morning meal if it suits your personal preferences.