Welcome to our fourth installment of the “Myths About Weight Loss” it is part of a series. We aim to inspire you to achieve a happy belly, a balanced body, mind, and spirit, and especially to prioritize your good health.
Go Ahead and Eat!
Want to lose weight? Don’t eat! Right? So wrong. Skipping meals might seem like a great way to shed pounds, but this approach doesn’t nourish the body properly and can really backfire.
Myth #7: Skipping Breakfast Is the Key to Losing Weight
It’s a common weight loss myth that skipping meals helps you lose weight—especially if you’re skipping breakfast or lunch and making up for it at dinner. When you “fast” during the day and then binge at dinner because you’re starving, it can trigger risky metabolic changes.
Skipping meals elevates fasting glucose levels and delays insulin response. This makes you more likely to gain or retain weight, especially after a period of starving followed by a big meal. Skipping meals can also leave you much hungrier later, leading to overeating or bingeing.
Moreover, chronically skipping meals can slow your metabolism down, making you more prone to gaining weight. While skipping meals might help you lose weight in the short term, this tactic usually fails in the long run.
However, fasting can have its place and can be beneficial when done correctly. But if you’re considering skipping a meal, here are two crucial points to keep in mind:
- The Best Meal to Skip: If you must skip a meal, it’s best to skip a late-night dinner. In the Curb Your Cravings Weight-Loss Program, we gradually work towards this, ensuring the last meal of the day is early evening, allowing a solid 12-hour fasting period before the next meal.
- Establish Good Eating Habits First: Before considering meal skipping, establish healthy eating habits at every meal. This means eating the right foods in the right proportions and amounts, always starting with a nutritious breakfast that includes protein and healthy fats.
Once you establish a healthy routine, it becomes easier to allow your digestive system a break, giving your body a chance to renew overnight before a healthy breakfast.
Let’s Recap:
- Eat Three Healthy Meals a Day
- Make Lunch Your Biggest Meal and Dinner Your Lightest
- Start with a Protein-Rich Breakfast Including Healthy Fats
- Incorporate More Leafy Green Vegetables
- Enjoy Light Snacks Between Meals (Emphasis on Light!)
The Bottom Line
Think of food as nourishment, not as something to resist. Breakfast is a crucial part of a healthy lifestyle. By aiming to eat healthier at every meal, you’ll keep your body well-fed, which is the best way to lose weight!
CURB YOUR CRAVINGS®
Lose Weight for the Long Run
Learn to Eat for Nutrition & Enjoyment
Trying to lose weight? You’re not alone. Today, more than two-thirds of American adults are overweight or obese—unsurprising given our culture of take-out and eating on the run. That’s why we’ve developed our Curb Your Cravings Weight-Loss Program. With the right support tools, you can achieve long-lasting results while becoming a healthier and more balanced you.
“I highly recommend Happy Belly Health if you’re looking for a reset and a better relationship with food.” – Maddy, San Francisco
HAPPY BELLY HEALTH®
shanti@happybellyhealth.com
