Previous studies have shown, among other things, that people who do not eat breakfast have a 4.5 times higher risk of becoming overweight. Now a new study has been carried out at Imperial College London that explains what happens in our brains when we don't eat in the morning.

Dr. Tony Goldstone and his colleagues carried out brain scans (MRI) on 21 normal-weight test subjects over several days. On some days the subjects had not eaten breakfast at all, on other days they were allowed to enjoy a hearty breakfast of around 730 kcal 1.5 hours before the scan. During the brain scan, the researchers showed the 21 participants pictures of different foods.

Based on the brain scans, the researchers came to the conclusion that skipping breakfast had the effect of stimulating areas of the brain that trigger cravings for high-calorie, mostly very sweet and fatty foods. However, if the participants had eaten a hearty breakfast, these areas of the brain were stimulated to a much lesser extent.

When lunch was subsequently offered, it was also found that the participants ate 20% more on an empty stomach than on the days when they had eaten breakfast.

Skipping breakfast? That means ravenous appetite!

Dr. Tony Goldston commented: "Both from the MRI results and from observing how much was eaten at lunch, we found sufficient evidence that morning fasting makes people hungrier, increases their desire for high-calorie food and increases the amount of food eaten. One of the reasons why it is so difficult to lose weight is because the incentive of high-calorie food is so great."

If you eat breakfast from now on, the first step has already been taken. It would be perfect if you were to have a sugar-free breakfast. Sugar gives your body energy quickly, but it doesn't last long. What follows are energy holes and ravenous hunger attacks.

So if you're wondering why you crave calorie bombs so much at lunchtime or in the evening: try eating a filling and balanced breakfast in the morning for a few days.

You just can't eat anything in the morning? Maybe these recipes will whet your appetite:

• Chia-apple-cinnamon muesli
• Mandelade muesli