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Last Updated: Oct 23, 2019
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How Can Skipping A Meal Harm Your Body?

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Dr. Lochan AroraDietitian/Nutritionist • 13 Years Exp.MPT - Orthopedic Physiotherapy, Diploma In Diet & Nutrition, MSc - Dietitics/Nutrition
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We live in a busy world and when one is so pressed for time, it may seem a good thing for him or her to do to skip a meal or two and catch up on it later. He or she should realize, though, that this is one of the worst possible things he or she could be doing to himself or herself! Each meal that a person has, is a window for nutrients and vitamins, which are crucial for the maintenance of good health to be ingested into the body. When a person makes the unwise choice to go ahead and skip a meal, the ramifications may not be so evident at first. It is to be kept in mind that the repercussions can manifest themselves in the not so distant future, all depending on the frequency of his or her missing a meal.

If a person is of the opinion that he or she does not have enough time or energy to get through the day, it is for sure that skipping a meal in order to try to make more time for the things which need to be done, he or she will be unintentionally skimping on the latter as a consequence of doing so. When a person skips a meal, the functions of the body are reduced by a significant margin. As a matter of fact, what happens is that the person becomes quite a bit more irritable and far less rational, which is something that can be attributed to brain fog. What is the point of having more time if the energy levels are too low to make even a reasonable productive use of the time?

It can be said that the best way to stay healthy when it comes to eating habits is to just listen to what the body is saying. While this sort of advice may seem to be quite simple, or even possibly, too simple, there are advantages of following it. When meals are skipped, a person deprives him or herself of the joy of eating. Also, he or she is likely to overcompensate when the following meal is eaten by him or her. This is likely to negate any impact towards the person’s possible attempt to lose weight.


Missing meals is also linked higher type 2 diabetes and heart disease; especially when it comes to skipping breakfast. Food is to be savored, so take shorter meals as many times a day!

Uneven distribution of the calories or insufficient food intake might make a person a 'Compulsive Eater' which is the most noted eating disorder. The golden rule of the healthy dieting states 'One should control the portion size'. A healthy diet is not about eating less or abstaining yourself from the list of food items, but it is about eating mindfully and sensibly. Skipping meals regularly also affects 'Basal Metabolic Rate' massively, in which body further responds by pilling up those extra pounds, resulting in Obesity. Other metabolic problems connected with insufficient food intake are Anorexia (Loss of appetite) and Bulimia (Self-induced vomiting) which are considered detrimental to the body and also affect the psyche of the person. A smart meal divided equally throughout the day is a better choice to stay healthy physically and mentally. A human body is like a machine, which needs a constant supply of energy throughout to sustain well. Skipping meals will only degrade the complete wellbeing further and lead to other behavioral and physical problems.

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