While skipping lunch can be tempting if you think you are burning more calories and lowering your daily intake … falling into the trap of skipping lunch or any other meal on a regular basis is sure to have some effects on your body .
Of course, I understand that having lunch is sometimes not always easy. Maybe a meeting ran over or your (well-intentioned!) Food preparation didn’t go according to plan.
If we’re completely honest, missing a meal or two doesn’t have an immediate effect. However, if you regularly skip lunch or other meals, it will.
So what if you don’t eat? We take a closer look.
Skipping lunch happens – sometimes. Whether we’re in the zone where we work with our headphones on or glued to a new Netflix series, it’s easy to lose track of time.
While some choose to fast intermittently to aid weight loss, skipping meals on a regular basis isn’t quite the same. During the fast, you can eat what you want for a period of time. After that it’s just water.
Many choose to fast to keep cravings under control and to become more aware of the types of foods they are eating. While skipping meals regularly can have some negative consequences for your body.
So let’s get started. What if you don’t eat
You will feel pretty sluggish
But wait, if you feel sluggish about skipping lunch, how do people fast intermittently? Well! When it comes to intermittent fasting, it has to be done right. This means sticking to a schedule when eating and eating healthy foods that will make you feel full during the fasting periods.
But enough about fasting, it is clear that skipping lunch and fasting are not the same thing.
So what if you don’t eat? You will feel quite tired and sluggish as your body will experience a drop in blood sugar. If you don’t eat enough all day, you can feel quite dizzy, weak, and without energy.
Our brains need food for fuel, which is why skipping lunch is a big no-no. When our brains aren’t getting the energy it needs, it can signal the body that it’s time to shut down.
Also Read: How To Naturally Suppress Your Appetite
Complex carbohydrates like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are filled with fiber, which helps stabilize blood sugar levels. So no, don’t cut carbohydrates either!
Your focus levels are met
Much like the brain’s need for food for fuel, if you start skipping lunch, your mind can have a hard time focusing. When you run out of steam, doing simple tasks and finding the energy to think clearly can feel like hard work.
When a growling stomach comes into the mix, all your body can think of is food! Soon you will find yourself distracted by those hunger pangs that tell you it is time to eat. Which is really not good for productivity!
You will be tempted to overeat next time
If you are wondering what happens to your body when you don’t eat, you are about to find out! While skipping lunch seemed like a great idea at this time, those who skip meals tend to overeat the next meal.
Think about it, if your body is feeling deprived of vital energy, it’s no surprise that you may be tempted to eat even more at dinner. So if you skip lunch to save calories, you could be consuming even more that way!
In order for your body to use nutrients efficiently, eating gradually throughout the day will not only replenish your energy levels, but it will also prevent you from snacking and overeating.
Do you feel a little nourishing between meals? No problem, it is perfectly normal to want to have a snack between meals. Just do it well, ladies!
If you feel too hungry too often, you may not be eating foods that are filling and nutritious enough to keep you going. Switch off processed, sugary foods to slow-releasing foods like oats that will keep you full longer.
You will be grumpy
If you regularly skip lunch (or meals), a persistent lack of glucose can really put you in a bad mood. Since glucose is your brain’s main fuel, it can make you damn hungry if you don’t have it.
When you get into this hungry mood, it can be very tempting to have the next possible snack, which is usually a fatty, sugary food because our bodies crave it.
Also Read: 8 Healthy Cooking Techniques To Try At Home This Week
How can you put an end to this? Spread your meals evenly throughout the day and consume foods that are slow release, filling, and filled with nutrients.
Your weight loss will not be sustainable
When trying to lose weight it might make sense to skip lunch, but it can actually hurt your weight loss in the long run.
Not only is it quite difficult to skip lunch and other meals, but when you give in to your cravings … well, we know you’re not really going to be opting for a healthy snack! Which then can sabotage all of your hard work.
Bottom line: skipping lunch is bad for you
Sure, the occasional skipping of the meal can sometimes happen. We’re all busy, so focused on our work, or addicted to a TV show that we occasionally forget to get food.
But skipping lunch and other meals won’t do you any good. While you may feel that you are naturally consuming less and therefore burning more, it is often the exact opposite. Skipping meals can make us feel tired and dizzy so you don’t even have the energy to exercise! Let alone anything else. And your body will hold on to the last bit of fuel instead of burning it off.
Also Read: What To Eat Before Exercising
Also, when dinner comes, it’s much easier to overeat to make up for skipping lunch! Completely counterproductive.
Tips to avoid skipping lunch or other meals
While breakfast is the most important meal of the day, it’s important not to skip lunch – or any other meal indeed! If you’re too busy to properly sit down and pull yourself in, try these tips:
- Eat smaller meals more often throughout the day instead of skipping them
- Stock up on healthy snacks like yogurt or a granola bar to keep you going
- Eat foods high in fiber and protein to keep you feeling full
- Plan your meals in advance or prepare lunch the night before
- Make a schedule for the week (and stick to it!)
- Set a reminder on your phone to avoid skipping lunch while you work
- Have lunch with a friend so you don’t have to avoid eating
Stop skipping lunch and take control
While it may be tempting to skip lunch and come quickly to lose weight, no one wants to feel sluggish and grumpy and hear their own growling stomach!
Stop skipping lunch and enjoy a healthy, varied diet with Zotrim by your side. Zotrim is formulated with natural herbal ingredients to naturally suppress your appetite and curb cravings for snacks!
It has been clinically proven to help you lose weight by not skipping meals or cutting out all carbohydrates. With Zotrim, you can take control of your weight loss.
