What Happens To Your Body When You Skip A Meal?

It’s been believed for as long as anyone can remember that not eating leads to weight loss. While that may be true, it’s also extremely unhealthy for you. Most of us don’t fast for days at a time, but what about skipping just one meal? The answer might surprise you.

1. Your Blood Sugar Goes Down

Sugar is what fuels our body, and we get it from eating. If we’re not eating, our blood sugar goes way down, sometimes to the point where we can’t even function. Skipping just one meal is denying your body the energy it needs to get through the day. Low blood sugar can lead to feeling tired, fatigued, and over unwell.

2. Your Metabolism Slows Down

If your body doesn’t get the energy that it needs, it restructures itself to conserve energy and hang onto every morsel it’s given. After skipping a meal, your metabolism slows down and tries to keep your body functioning. When you do eat again, your body hangs onto every bit of food it’s given, making it harder to lose weight.

3. Your Brain Functioning Decreases

The sugar your body uses for energy is used by the whole body, including your brain. Without the nutrients it needs, functioning goes way down. You may feel foggy, unable to concentrate, irritable, and moody.

What Happens To Your Body After A Few Days Of Skipping Meals?

A recent study done at Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark studied the muscles of healthy men, before and after a 72 hour fast. After 3 days, they found that the men’s muscles were already starting to waste. Even a period as short as 3 days could affect someone’s muscles, making it harder to go through a normal day. Skipping just one meal puts this process in action.

Skipping meals is never the solution to any problem. The body needs food in order to survive and remain functioning. So keep up with every meal, and make sure to thank your food for keeping your body running so well!