Is skipping breakfast and dinner harmful to my body?

[Anonymous]

I'm trying to lose weight, and skipping meals kind of works, so yea. I'm just wondering if it can hurt me like, really badly.. if not, then I'm fine.

[Levin]

Your body has a lot of natural 'give' when you're young. The process of disease is usually long term. Starting off with bad eating (and thinking/emotional, all inter-related etc) habits. First you won't notice it, but the level of toxicity will start to build, into the eventual manifestation of disease, if you don't correct yourself in the main. I'm not interested in fad dieting, but long term sustainable habits that are healthy and leave one feeling nourished (never starving). You should eat when you're hungry. That's the function of that bodily signal, to tell you to eat...

Most people have a terrible relationship with food. Guilting themselves throughout the day, and then having getting intense cravings in the evening (which is natural, because the body is starving on this 'diet'). According to ancient understanding of the body's natural rhythms, and this is fully appreciable by anyone who has but a semblance of connection to their body, eating at night is particularly bad for you, because it's when the digestive organs go in a state of passivity, and the liver does some of its work. Hence why you often find late night eaters feel really groggy in the morning and having little desire to eat, because the liver has not finished its activities from the night before. I'm presuming your latter meals will be rather huge, as I say, to make up for the lack of eating early on. Again, experiential knowledge, and probably the research has caught up by now, one should eat more early on in the day, and taper off towards the end of the evening, for the reason that I mentioned. If you eat your last meal at the latest, three hours before bed, and don't eat till you're full on that one.

Not to mention the wild bodily sugar variations you will get from barely eating anything in the day, and much at night. Your body releases myriad hormones to regulate blood sugar levels. These hormonal spikes are likely bad for you in the long term (+makeufeelrotten).

Focus on the quality of foods, eating as little processed, and as much whole as possible. As I say, I think it's healthier to have smaller meals throughout the day. Eating big larger meals sporadically, means that one you go to have that meal, your body is full to bursting point after, and you feel drowsy, because your body has to process and digest it all.

Weight seems to be more related to comfort eating in order to full psychological/emotional voids, and simply eating too many calories. One needs a holistic approach

[detlef]

Skipping meals can't "hurt" you necessarily, but it WILL make it far harder for you to lose weight safely and permanently.

It's surprising you would even ask about this because it's so well known, but skipping meals causes your body to go into life preserving mode--because your body doesn't know whether you're choosing not to eat, or unable to find food. Your body's response is then to turn MORE of the food you consume into fat, so that you have more of a reserve in case you're actually starving.

So the trick is to--you guessed it--eat right, as in smaller portions of good foods, and exercise. Lift weights if you really want to make the fat disappear. But do not skip meals. If you have no time, have a yogurt or some fruit. Anything's better than nothing. Good luck. :)

[RJGraveyTrain]

Yes, it can hurt you, in many ways: it'll negatively affect your metabolism for starters, it'll slow down and if you return to eating normally, you'll gain weight rapidly because you're in a state of starvation. You'll also go into ketosis which will cause you to become tired and miserable, so that's fun. You'll generally become unhealthy because you'll lack the calories and vitamins that your body needs to function normally and you'll eventually fall very ill and experience things like stomach pains, hair loss, and headaches, and potentially more.

How about actually trying to be healthy instead of trying to fast track to weight loss? Being "skinny" or "pretty" is pointless if you're hurting yourself.

[Asker]

So you're saying that if I get back to my old eating habits, I will gain weight, which is the total opposite of what I want.. So I don't think I'll do it. Is that like a no going back action? I already tried losing weight the right way by exercising but never lost any. It made me annoyed that all my efforts went fruitless, so I started skipping meals.. It's not to be pretty.. but I seriously reached that point where I don't even want to drink juice so that it doesn't hinder the progress i'm making.

[RJGraveyTrain]

You misunderstood what I said. If you eat "normally" yes you'll gain eight. If you eat healthy and exercise, you'll be fine. You can't starve yourself forever, you know, you will eventually fall ill or die. I was bulimic and anorexic for nearly 6 years and it landed me in the hospital and near death. You can't eat one meal a day for the rest of your life. If you struggle with weight loss what you SHOULD do is go to a doctor and get his opinion on the most effective way to lose weight. Or you will hurt yourself.

[spuitkaas]

It's more that you won't keep that up. Eventually you start eating in your old habits again. Also at dinner and breakfast you eat certain types of food which gives your the nutrition you need. At 16 years old, you might not grow anymore or just a little bit in length, but you still grow in hips etc. You definitely need your nutrition.
Also check your bmi. I only recommend you to loose weight if your bmi is above 25. If not, you don't need to. If you still think you're fat. You can message me about my sister who suffered from anorexia and so how her hair fell out and almost became infertile and still has problems with her eating habits.

[musicbrain5]

Skipping meals is very bad for the body. It will cause your metabolism to slow down (and that will lead to weight gain), blood sugar levels to drop (you're going to feel faint), exhaustion, slow brain performance, and malnutrition. If you have to go on a diet, eat 3 times a day and make sure you're eating healthy nutritious food with reasonable portion sizes.

www.humankinetics.com/.../skipping-meals-can-have-negative-consequences

www.womenshealthmag.com/.../effects-of-skipping-meals

[musicbrain5]

Also www.womenshealthmag.com/.../effects-of-skipping-meals

[DodgersGM]

Your body is still developing and you need nutrients. So yes, it's bad to skip meals. It can be incredibly detrimental over your health if it goes on long enough.

Instead of skipping, focus on high fiber, nutrient dense foods. Raw fruits and veggies FTW!

[Asker]

But I'm already 16, I think it has stopped developing a year or two ago.. Or maybe I'm wrong.

[lumos]

Your body still develops in your twenties.

[14jan97]

By skipping meals your body will start storing any fat consumed to feed itself and is therefore doing more harm than good (been there, done that) = no weight loss, or a yo yo weight

I lost 10kg in 5 months by cutting out packaged food and still eating throughout the day. That combined with walking 3-4+ times a week (or HIIT for 3.5kms, sprint, walk, sprint etc) meaning your body gets nutrients and all the other good stuff to keep your insides and outsides health, all while losing weight 😊

[Krillanr]

Your body needs nutrient to function, if you deprive it of them, it won't function properly.

We need a certain amount through the day, if you don't get that amount then it will be harmful to you.

Instead of ridding yourself of food, rid yourself of insecurity, then you'll be able to think straight and understand what you should and shouldn't do.

[Anonymous]

honestly skipping meals always helps me kinda lose some weight. if i kinda ate a lot the week prior i will actively skip breakfast and drink only coffee and skip lunch and than just eat fruit and when i go home have like popcorn or tea or cocoa. i like skipping breakfast most days. i like to eat before i go bed most days howevver.

[georgiaa91]

Yeah I would say it's harmful. I used to never have breakfast and then I went to my doctor and she told me to always have breakfast. I don't think skipping meals is the way to go because you're going to be too hungry. Just have the amount of meals you need to have each day but eat something healthy. Don't stick with fast food and soft drink cause that'll get you no where.

[Asker]

I stopped drinking soft drinks one year ago; I just get fast food for lunch some days because my mum isn't around.

[reptocarl]

You're supposed to eat throughout the day. It's all what you eat

[Asker]

I know I am, but eating makes me feel guilty for some reason. I do have lunch anyway.. I guess it's enough.

[idkwtftoputhere]

Of course skipping meals help you lose weight since you're not getting enough calories but you're not doing your body any justice. Eat healthy and lift weights/do cardio at the gym

[Asker]

I'm excessively busy at the moment; I can't afford to go to the gym with a studying schedule like mine. Plus, I always workout at home, but I never lose weight that way. That's why I turned to skipping.

[idkwtftoputhere]

If you want to lose weight and build muscle at the same time (making you look leaner and increasing your metabolism). Try and save up to buy a set of weights if you can't afford them and workout using them, you'll start seeing results. Also, EAT FOOD. Get a lot more protein because that's what builds muscle
For cardio, look into HIIT.

[psychomonkey]

It's harmful if you are actually hungry and your body isn't getting the nutrients and proteins it needs so it won't affect you immediately but after a month expect to see some unwelcome changes.

[Asker]

Like what? What kind of changes? That's what matters to me.

[psychomonkey]

Your skin changes a little and the inside of your body will have some problems.

[Asker]

Not the skin..

[psychomonkey]

Yeah it might happen it might not bodies react in different ways.

[Asker]

I see.
Thank you for answering.

[psychomonkey]

No prob but you should know there are better ways of losing weweight.

[9mfeo]

Yes, starvation can hurt your body. I strongly advise against it in favour of healthy meals and moderate exercise.

[Anonymous]

Skipping meals will hurt your body. Instead, focus on healthier options three times a day and exercise. Skipping meals may be quicker, but it will hurt your health.

[Asker]

I do exercise, and that never makes me lose any weight.. that's why I turned to skipping meals. Plus, I only feel exhausted throughout the day. Are there any serious results though?

[Opinion Owner]

The exhaustion is an effect of your body not getting enough nutrition. You lose necessary vitamins and minerals, your blood sugar levels drop, your brain becomes sluggish, your metabolism drops, your blood pressure increases, your immune system weakens, and if done long enough, you can be hospitalized. All of these separately and added together lead to serious disease and health problems. If you really want to lose weight, please choose a healthier way to do so.

[Asker]

This sounds seriously terrible, but whenever I'm hungry enough to think of taking a snack or even drinking juice, I remind myself of the progress I've reached, so I decide otherwise. Do you think this might become anorexia someday? I think it's far from that.

[Opinion Owner]

If you continue this, you will probably get an eating disorder if you don't already. You can eat and lose weight. You just need to eat healthier foods in correct proportions.

[Asker]

I can't seem to stop.. But thank you anyway for answering in details.

[Opinion Owner]

Try to eat a little more every day so this doesn't worsen.

[hotstuffSRD]

Never skip meals
Take something minor which can give you energy 😶
Skipping meals isn't good for health and weight loss

[Asker]

What kind of low calorie food that supplies the body with energy do you suggest?

[hotstuffSRD]

Salads
Peanuts
Juices
And there's a best way but you won't be able to drink that 😶?

[Asker]

Oh, I see.
What is it? Like a weight loss mix or drink? I've read about something like that before.

[hotstuffSRD]

Juice of bottle gourd or bitter gourd are best in weight loss... it's something most helpful

[Byakuyarko]

Skip lunch and snack-times... Don't skip a heavy breakfast or a light supper

[lumos]

Yes it can, and that's also called anorexia.

[lumos]

Your hair will start to fall out, your nails will look like shit, your skin will look like shit, your teeth will look like shit, and you'll feel like shit on the inside because you're slowly killing your organs. Then you'll have a heart attack and die.

[Levin]

cheery stuff.

[lumos]

@Levin anorexia is about as cheery as cancer.

[Anonymous]

Yes, being malnourished can eventually kill you.

[Anonymous]

Yes, it's fatal/lethal

[PizzaGuy22]

yes it's bad

[Anonymous]

No, it can't.