Photo: Blue Bird

What happens to your body when you don't eat for a week?

The body begins to increase production of cortisol, leaving us stressed and hangry. Skipping meals can also cause your metabolism to slow down, which can cause weight gain or make it harder to lose weight. “When you skip a meal or go a long time without eating, your body goes into survival mode,” says Robinson.

piedmont.org - What Happens to the Body When You Skip Meals? - Piedmont Healthcare

How does Korean clean their face?

The leaders of the skincare world are thorough: “Korean skincare rituals begin with double cleansing: use an oil-based cleanser to remove makeup,...

Last updated Mar 22, 2018

Is cucumber good for weight loss?

It's high in beneficial nutrients, as well as certain plant compounds and antioxidants that may help treat and even prevent some conditions. Also,...

Last updated Aug 3, 2020

Tasty juice “eats through” 54lbs of thick flab

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »

Promotion

What happens to the body when you skip meals?

Decking the halls can take a lot out of you, but don’t become so frazzled that you start skipping meals. “During the holidays, we are often so hurried we don’t have time to sit down for a meal,” says Haley Robinson, a Piedmont clinical dietitian. “Some people also tend to think that if they skip breakfast and lunch, they will be able to indulge more at holiday dinners without exceeding their calorie limit for the day.” But forgoing food isn’t healthy, and it can actually lead to weight gain.

What happens when you skip a meal?

“First, your blood sugar decreases, which causes interruption in your ability to think straight,” says Robinson. “The brain uses glucose to run efficiently and if there is not enough glucose for the brain to use, your body does not function at 100 percent.” Low blood sugar causes people to feel irritable, confused and fatigued. The body begins to increase production of cortisol, leaving us stressed and hangry. Skipping meals can also cause your metabolism to slow down, which can cause weight gain or make it harder to lose weight. “When you skip a meal or go a long time without eating, your body goes into survival mode,” says Robinson. “This causes your cells and body to crave food which causes you to eat a lot. We usually tend to crave unhealthy foods and all attempts at eating healthy go out the door. When you are that hungry, anything goes.”

Tips to avoid skipping meals

Let’s face it—the holiday season can be hectic. If you are extremely busy, try following these tips:

Eat smaller, frequent meals throughout the day rather than skipping meals.

Always have a snack around like yogurt or a granola bar to hold you over until your next meal. Eat snacks high in protein and fiber. They will keep you full longer.

Plan your meals in advance or prepare them the night before.

Make a schedule for the week to avoid over booking yourself or falling behind. Set an alarm to ring at lunchtime if you are going to be running around all day. Make a lunch date. You cannot skip a meal if you have already made plans with friends or family. Need to make an appointment with a Piedmont physician? Save time, book online.

How can I detox my liver in 24 hours?

The 6-Step Liver Cleanse Remove toxic foods from your diet. Drink raw vegetable juice. Load up on potassium-rich foods. Do a coffee enema. Take...

Last updated Feb 28, 2020

Does celery detox liver?

'Celery juice removes toxins from the body' Some people claim that juice cleanses can help people lose weight, remove toxins from the body, and...

Last updated Oct 9, 2021

Fizzy juice “chews through” 63lbs of fat

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »

Promotion

What are the dangers of a liquid diet?

Liquid Diet Risks Missing out on essential nutrients can lead to side effects such as fatigue, dizziness, hair loss, gallstones, and heart damage. Also, if you don't get enough fiber, because you're not eating whole grains, fruits and vegetables, you can get constipated.

webmd.com - Do Liquid Diets Help You Lose Weight? - WebMD

What Is a Liquid Diet?

As the name suggests, a liquid diet means you're getting all, or at least most, of your calories from drinks. There are different kinds. A clear liquid diet is something a doctor may put you on for a short while. You’re often asked to follow one before a medical procedure or if you're having some digestive issues. You won’t get the calories and nutrients you need with one of these diets, so you can’t be on them for long and shouldn’t do them without medical supervision. People choose to go on other types of liquid diets for weight loss. Typically, they’re limited to fruit or vegetable juices, or shakes. These drinks may replace all of your meals or just one or two meals (usually breakfast and lunch). You also get snacks on some of these plans. These diets can cut the calories you take in and can help you lose weight, but you shouldn’t stay on them for very long. Talk to your doctor before you go on a liquid diet. You’ll need to make sure you get enough important nutrients, like fiber and protein.