In addition to the fact that we are frequently too busy during the holidays to sit down for a meal, some individuals have the misconception that by skipping breakfast and lunch, they will be able to overindulge at holiday feasts without going over their daily calorie allowance. But skipping meals is unhealthy and might result in weight gain.
What results from skipping meals?
According to Piedmont clinical dietician Haley Robinson, the first sign of low blood sugar is a lapse in mental clarity. When there is not enough glucose for the brain to consume, your body cannot function at its full potential. The brain requires glucose to run efficiently. People who have low blood sugar tend to feel agitated, dazed, and worn out. Our bodies start producing more cortisol, which makes us anxious and hungrier. Additionally, skipping meals can slow down your metabolism, which can lead to weight gain or make it more difficult to reduce weight.
Your body shifts into survival mode when you skip a meal or go for an extended period of time without eating, according to Robinson. “This makes your body and cells seek food, which makes you eat a lot,” the author writes. All attempts to eat healthily generally fail since we have a tendency to seek harmful foods. Anything is OK when you are that hungry.
Advice on how to stop missing meals
- The Christmas season may be busy, let’s face it. If you’re very busy, consider using these strategies:
- Instead of missing meals, eat smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day
- Always keep a snack on hand to tide you over until your next meal, such as yoghurt or a granola bar.
- Consume fiber- and protein-rich snacks. They’ll keep you satiated for longer.
- Meals should be planned in advance or made the night before.
- Establish a weekly timetable to prevent overcommitting or falling behind.
- If you plan on being active all day, set an alarm to sound at noon.
- Plan a lunch meeting. You cannot forego a meal if you have commitments to friends or family.
If you’re not going to starve to death, you’re going to eat better. You could discover that you start to feel hungry at strange times of the day if you miss meals. This may result in unhealthy eating patterns when you consume a lot of food quickly to satiate your desire. Blood sugar levels may spike as a result, preparing you for another substantial unhealthy meal later on in the day.
Don’t skip meals if you’re worried about eating too much. Include healthful snacks all day long. Smaller, healthier meals will be simpler to consume as a result, which is much better than skipping meals.
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