Doctor warns one habit people should quit doing before breakfast if they want to lose weight

An expert has highlighted the one habit many people are overlooking first thing in the morning that could be derailing their weight loss goals.

When it comes to weight loss, everyone and their mom has advice on how exactly to go about it.

Some insist it's best to focus on simply having one meal a day, some say to try fasting, others argue to focus more on portion sizes while others say incorporate a mixture of all of them.

However, an expert has reiterated the importance of one aspect when it comes to weight loss and noted that people need to make sure they are doing this one thing before they make their breakfast, whatever they are eating that day.

Professor Franklin Joseph, head of Dr Frank’s Weight Loss Clinic, pointed out a way people may be sabotaging their own weight loss goals.

Professor Franklin Joseph noted a habit many people have that might be derailing their weight loss (Getty Stock Image)

Speaking to The Sun, he noted when many people get up they think about getting up go straight for their morning coffee and breakfast and ignore an important thing their body needs.

He said: “Most people wake up and go straight to the kitchen or grab a coffee without a second thought. But if you’re not preparing your body for the day properly, you’re missing a huge opportunity to boost fat burning, improve energy, and control your appetite naturally.”

He explained that people are skipping hydration before eating, yup, you got to start getting more water in you to start the day.

He continued: “Your body loses water overnight through breathing and sweat. If you don’t replace that water first thing, you’re starting your day in a state of mild dehydration.

It's important to drink water first thing in the morning after waking up (Getty Stock Image)

"That can slow down your metabolism, trigger sugar cravings, and leave you feeling foggy and fatigued.”

Thankfully, Professor Joseph advised on how much water you should be drinking before your first meal, incase you were thinking just a sip was enough to do the job.

He recommended drinking at least 400 to 500ml of water within 30 minutes of waking up. To help the body absorb the water more effectively he added you can try adding a pinch of sea salt or electrolyte supplement to your glasses of water.

He noted: “Electrolytes can make a big difference, especially if you wake up feeling groggy or if you’re active.

Drinking more water before your first meal can help stave off cravings during the day, according to Professor Franklin Joseph(Getty Stock Image)

"They support hydration at a cellular level, helping you feel sharper and more energized.”

And if you thought drinking coffee was a good replacement for the water, professor Joseph has words for you as well.

He said: “Caffeine first thing in the morning spikes cortisol levels - the body’s main stress hormone - which can interfere with fat loss, increase belly fat storage, and make you feel more anxious,”

So might be best to give it a miss just for a few hours if you want to shed those pounds as effectively as possible.