People often ask me about skipping meals as a way to lose weight and, more specifically, to lose body fat. Many people feel that they can skip a meal without even missing it. Skipping meals is a big “no-no” and here’s why:
Skipping meals actually does just the opposite of your goal and makes it harder to lose weight. Skipping meals lowers your resting metabolic rate (how fast you burn calories at rest), lowers your energy level (no fuel to burn), and makes your body think it is in a state of starvation (therefore “rationing” the fat on your body). Skipping meals also creates cravings, throws off your hormone levels, and alters the chemicals in your brain. Rather than skipping meals to lose weight, use healthy snacks, like fruits and vegetables, to fill in the time between meals to boost your energy levels and your body’s metabolism.
You can lose body fat by burning off more calories than you take in (exercise and increased activity) and by taking in fewer calories, but skipping meals is not the way to do that.