Sometimes it seems like the easiest way to lose weight is to just skip meals. Why not? You won't starve to death by missing the occasional breakfast, lunch, or dinner, so what could be the harm? The answer is: plenty. Whether you want to lose weight, or just maintain a healthy lifestyle, having a regular consistent meal schedule is crucial. Peconic Bay Medical Center, your local medical health center in Suffolk County, NY, wants you to know these important reasons why skipping meals is a bad idea.
Your Blood Sugar Levels Drop
The meals you eat have a tremendous impact on your energy level. When you eat too much or don't eat at all, your blood sugar levels can skyrocket or drop like a rock. Going without a meal can drop your blood sugar levels enough that you feel tired and listless, and maybe even dizzy. Furthermore, the lack of glucose in your body means your brain isn't able to function properly. This means in addition to feeling sleepy, you're more likely to be irritable and have a more negative outlook on life.
Your Metabolism Slows
Sometimes skipping a meal can have the opposite of its intended effect. When you skip meals, your body doesn't act as efficiently as it should, and your metabolism slows down. So, what was intended as a shortcut to losing weight can actually make it harder to lose weight due to a slower metabolism. Your body wants you to eat on a consistent basis and will reward you with a faster metabolism.
You're Missing out on Nutrition You Need
When you're eating, you're not just filling yourself with food to satisfy your hunger. You're giving your body vital protein, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and everything else you need to live a healthy life. Losing all these nutrients can have negative effects on your immune and cardiovascular systems, as well as increase the risks of some types of cancer.
You Have an Increased Risk of Diabetes
Going without lunch can raise your blood glucose levels. If you do this on a regular basis, you're risking a greater susceptibility to diabetes in the long run. Throw in some skipped breakfasts and dinners as well, and you could be substantially increasing your chances. If you've already been doing this for some time, consider visiting a family medical center in Suffolk County, NY, such as Peconic Bay Medical Center, and have them test you for diabetes.
It Can Throw off Your Whole Eating Schedule
You're going to eat better if you're not starving to death. When you skip meals, you can find yourself getting hungry at odd times of the day. This can lead to bad eating habits where you eat a lot of food really fast to alleviate your hunger. This can further cause peaks in blood sugar, setting you up for another big unhealthy meal later in the day.
If you're concerned about eating too much, don't skip meals. Add healthy snacks throughout the day. This will make it easier to eat smaller, healthier meals, which is far preferable to skipping.
Peconic Bay Medical Center offers nutritional services, including Medical Nutrition Therapy, an outpatient nutrition program that can help treat medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and more. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (631) 548-6395.