Brits are being warned about the dangers of skipping meals and why it’s not a viable approach to losing weight.
Health and nutrition experts from Prepped Pots powered by MuscleFood.com have outlined eight reasons why you should never skip meals.
Skipping meals may seem like a quick and easy way to cut calories, but it can actually do more harm than good. What many don’t realise is that not consuming enough food throughout the day will only lead to fatigue, sluggishness, and health issues in the long run.
Forgoing eating can really take a toll on your body – from nutritional deficiencies and digestive problems to low blood sugar levels and anxiety. It’s also not a sustainable way to lose weight and will actually often lead to weight gain because it slows down the metabolism and can develop strong food cravings.
Ashleigh Tosh from Prepped Pots powered by MuscleFood.com said: “Some people mistakenly skip meals as a means of losing weight, unaware that it often leads to the opposite outcome.
“Your body will go into starvation mode which means that when you do eat, your body is more likely to store those calories as fat and you’re also more likely to overeat later in the day as your hunger builds up.
“Many people find it difficult to prioritise mealtimes next to their busy lifestyles and end up skipping breakfast when rushing to work or forgetting to have lunch because their meetings ran long.
“Fuelling your body with nutritious food is very important, especially with a busy lifestyle, as it keeps you energised and productive, ultimately leading to more success at work.”
Here are eight reasons why you shouldn’t skip meals from the team at Prepped Pots powered by MuscleFood.com:
- Slow metabolism
When you don’t eat for a long time, your body goes into a state of starvation, triggering a natural response to conserve energy by slowing down your metabolism. This means that when you do eventually eat, your body is more likely to store the calories consumed as fat, rather than burning them for immediate use.
- Low blood sugar
Skipping meals can cause your blood sugar levels to drop. This can result in fatigue and dizziness. Additionally, when there’s a deficiency of glucose, your brain doesn’t operate efficiently, resulting in issues with concentration and an increased tendency to become irritable.
- Increased risk of overeating
When you skip a meal, you’ll feel much more hungry later and be more likely to overeat or make unhealthy food choices because you’re craving food that’s high in carbs and sugar. This can lead to weight gain and other health problems, like binge eating.
- Nutritional deficiencies
If you’re skipping meals then you’re not giving your body the nutrition it needs to thrive. The most common symptoms of nutrient deficiency are severe hair loss, bone pain, fatigue, irregular heartbeat and mouth problems. It can also lead to more serious health complications, such as anaemia caused by lack of iron.
- Disrupted hunger hormones
If you ignore your body’s natural hunger cues, it can cause a hormonal imbalance that reduces the production of appetite-suppressing hormones. This makes it more difficult for you to tell when you’re full and you can end up overeating.
- Digestive problems
Leaving too long in between meals will cause the body to release a stress response which can irritate your digestive system and cause diarrhoea, stomach pain, nausea and constipation. This is due to a build-up of gastric acids in the stomach which happens when the stomach is left empty for too long.
- Mental health issues
Besides physical health, constantly skipping meals can have a serious impact on your mental health as well. Because your body starts to produce more cortisol, which is also known as the stress hormone, you’re more likely to experience anxiety, mood swings and depression.
- Risk for an eating disorder
People who fast or skip meals have an increased risk of developing eating disorders. Skipping meals can result in a binge-eating disorder, which is a serious illness where people constantly restrict and then indulge in extreme amounts of food. There’s also a risk of developing anorexia, bulimia or orthorexia.
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