1445
uhc_video
Ask the Expert: Kathleen Zelman
Skipping Meals – UHC TV
I love this next question. What’s wrong with skipping a meal as a diet strategy? Now and again, skipping a meal, there’s no problem with it. In general, you need to eat regular meals and snacks too in order to stay full, stay satisfied, and primarily to maintain your blood sugar so that you don’t feel ravenous and you have the energy to do the things you need to do, including getting physical activity and working out.
If you eat meals regularly, you maintain that blood sugar level that will give you the energy that you need. When you skip meals, your body goes into little bit of a slump. It certainly can. And then, you don’t really have the zest or the zip in your step to really do what you need to do.
Skipping meals is not a good strategy. In fact, studies showed that overweight individuals tend to skip breakfast. It’s the normal weight individuals who eat breakfast every day.
Think about it. You went to bed the night before and haven’t eaten anything for probably 8 or so hours. You have very low blood sugar. Your body thrives on blood sugar. It’s the gas in your engine that gives you the go.
You really need to start your day with breakfast. It really doesn’t need to be a farm breakfast. You don’t have to have a lot to eat, but you certainly need to have a source of protein and some carbohydrate. A little bit of fat is equally good but protein gives you that feeling of fullness. The carbohydrate gives you the energy you need and it’s going to make you get to lunch without going to the vending machine or get your hand caught in the cookie jar.
By eating regular meals, you can control better what you eat at those other meals. While it’s not a bad strategy, it’s not a good strategy. When you’re hungry and you have that low blood sugar, it can make you cranky, in addition to not having the energy.
Also, when you’re really hungry, you don’t make good decisions. You reach for the first thing you can. It’s rare that somebody’s reaching for vegetables when they’re starving. They go into the cookie jar.
It’s not a good idea. I personally am all about eating 3 meals, and I like snacks too. I prefer not to go more than a couple of hours without eating. What you have to worry about when you have snacks and meals is that at the end of the day you don’t want to overeat.
If you consume about 1,800 calories a day, make sure that those 1,800 calories are divided up into as many meals as you like. It’s a little bit of work, but if you just figure out an make sure that you’re not overeating, by eating more meals, it’s another strategy to keep your blood sugar normalized, keep that energy level up, and keep your hand out of the cookie jar.
Don’t skip meals. Make meal choices healthy choices, and that will be your best diet strategy.
Ask the Expert
Skipping Meals: Good Idea?
Question: Is skipping meals a good way to lose weight?
Answer from: Kathleen Zelman, R.D., nutrition expert
Skipping meals is another weight loss myth. Regular, healthy meal choices are your best bet.
The content of these videos is for information only and is not intended to be medical advice. Refer to your health plan benefit guide for coverage details, and consult with your doctor to determine what is best for you.
Please enter a valid email address
