Skipping a meal means lesser calorie intake. Since losing weight is all about creating a calorie deficit in the body, skipping meals restricts calorie intake and forces the body to use stored energy reserves. While on a weight loss regime, this will bring about quick weight loss. Sounds easy, no? But, does it really work this way? Or is it just another myth concerning weight loss?

Let's find out why it is a MYTH!


Salad leaf on plate
If you are trying to lose weight, skipping your meals may actually have an opposite effect. Several researches have shown that people who skip their meals are more likely to be heavier than those who don’t. Surprised? Yes, that’s exactly what missing a meal can do to your body! Let’s look at how it works.


Skipping a meal means going without food for long periods of time. When you skip a meal, your body is deprived of essential nutrients and the calories or energy to keep it running. It may lead to a feeling of extreme hunger. As a result, your body begins to crave for energy-loaded foods such as those rich in fat and sugar.

young girl eating fried food
Research has shown that people who skip their meals usually load up their plates with sugary, starchy, energy-dense foods during their subsequent meals. Thus, skipping a meal makes you overeat later and also opt for junk food instead of going for healthier alternatives. Eventually, it may lead to greater weight gain around the belly.


Going hungry too often puts your body into a state of starvation that may slow down your metabolism. Metabolism or to be more specific, BMR (basal metabolic rate), is the rate at which your body burns calories. When your metabolism slows down, it means you are burning calories at a lower rate than earlier. As a result, you may end up losing very little weight or no weight at all!


man and woman looking at their empty plates
If skipping meals does, in fact, cause weight loss, it could be from your muscles and not body fat! What do you feel you are trying to achieve? So to lose weight, eat judiciously and workout religiously. Do not skip your meals.


For any query related to diet plans and fitness in general, consult an internal medicine specialist at www.healthcaremagic.com

About the Author

Vidhi Ghildiyal

Vidhi is a writer and blogger with more than 6 years of experience in developing content for varied verticals.

Comments (1)
  • donut
    thx...it helps a lot... btw Idk how to do math

6 + 5 + 1 =
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