Skipping meals can have negative consequences.
When aiming to shed some pounds, what initially comes to mind? Perhaps reducing food intake, right? While cutting back on certain foods may be beneficial if you feel you’ve been overindulging, eliminating meals altogether is not advisable. It not only makes daily living less enjoyable but can hinder weight loss efforts rather than assist them.
Constant metabolic activities are crucial for burning calories and shedding weight. Imagine your metabolism as a wood chipper; without adding wood at the top, it won’t shred what’s already inside. Your body requires food to maintain a fully functioning metabolism. By skipping entire meals, your metabolism can become dormant for prolonged periods, allowing existing calories to linger. When you resume eating, your metabolism takes time to rev up, resulting in slower calorie burning compared to not skipping meals.
Furthermore, skipping meals can disrupt your body’s hunger cues. Skipping a meal entirely may lead to increased hunger later, potentially causing overeating when you eventually consume food. While you may try to suppress these signals, you may end up feeling cranky and irritable. Moderating your food intake is acceptable, but it’s risky to completely abstain from eating.