Myth or Fact: Skipping Meals Equals a Healthy Weight-Loss Program?
"Healthy Weight Loss Programs, Calories, and Food Calories"
By Tony Ostian, Health and Fitness Director
There are many reasons why people skip meals during the day. No time to prepare meals, saving calories for another meal or making up for extra food calories lost in a previous meal.
Individuals on a weight loss program believe skipping meals is the best way to consume fewer food calories.
This is a great way to lose weight, RIGHT?
WRONG!!!!
Going without food is like forgetting to put gas in your car. Most likely you won't get too far.
The same is true with your body. The body needs fuel in order to perform optimally throughout the day.
Myths about skipping meals:
- Skipping meals is the best way to lose weight.
- It's okay to skip a meal if you're not hungry.
- Skipping meals is a great way to reduce your calorie intake.
- Skipping a meal means you can eat more at the next meal.
- Skipping meals means you can eat whatever you want during the remainder of the day.
Facts about skipping meals:
- Skipping meals deprives your body of calories. This is known as caloric deprivation. It's devastating to your metabolism and deprives your body of the food it needs to function properly and optimally. It's one of the biggest mistakes you can make while trying to get your body and weight under control.
- Studies show people who skip meals tend to be heavier than those who eat smaller meals throughout the day.
- It's important to fuel your body every three hours. Keeping your body fueled is the only way to ensure it's burning calories at maximum capacity. In fact, very low calorie diets that usually consist of less than 1000 calories per day will actually slow down your body's calorie burning ability.
- Skipping meals signals the body that it needs fuel. Once the body has reached
"starvation mode" it responds by producing more lipase, a fat storage enzyme. This means that more food will be stored the next time you eat. The end result is a higher body fat percentage because food is stored in the body as fat.
- Studies have shown that people who eat breakfast are way ahead of those who don't. When you wake up in the morning your body is in a starvation mode and needs to be energized. That's why breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
Eating throughout the day will help you maintain your energy levels as well as help you achieve optimal weight.
So plan your meals in advance; eat at least five or six smaller meals each day. And make meals ahead of time if you know that you're going to be busy during the week.
Remember, sensible eating on a consistent basis is the best plan for everyone.
