Can Skipping Meals Help Or Hurt Your Weight Loss Resolution?

By HelloLife

Everyone skips a meal now and then, often out of necessity. But when we force ourselves to skip meals in an effort to reduce calories, or to keep our New Year's Resolution to lose some weight, the result is usually worse than the meal itself would have been.

What Happens When You Skip a Meal?

When people skip meals, they can usually last without food for a couple of hours. Then as the day wears on, whether the meal they skipped was breakfast, lunch or dinner, the hunger sets in. Hunger brings with it discomfort, headaches and crabbiness. Eventually we give in and chow down on the brownies someone brought in to work, the doughnuts in the break room, or the bag of chips in the cupboard at home. This happens because our bodies are telling us we need food, and we need it now.

Controlling Your Appetite

The appetite is so much easier to control when it is kept in check. It's in those times of hunger desperation that we tend to overeat. If you feel tired and lethargic at about three in the afternoon, the natural sugars from an apple will be enough to perk your body right up, whereas the sugars from a bag of M&M"s will make you more tired and crabby. Keep healthy snacks nearby and munch occasionally. It gives your mouth something to do and keeps your stomach under control.

Plan your Food

By planning for your appetite, it's easier to keep it under control. If you keep fruits and veggies cut up and ready for consumption, they will be just as easy to grab as a bag of chips. On Sundays, make a batch of bran muffins you can have for breakfast all week. Experiment with new fruits and vegetables or grains in your cooking.

Tips for Making the Most out of Your Meals

Drink a glass of water before sitting down to a meal or if you feel hungry. After a few minutes, decide how hungry you actually are.
Eat slowly, putting your fork or spoon down between each bite. Savor your food.
Eat in courses. Start with a salad or fruit. Then move on to a main dish.
Smaller dishes hold less. Refill it after five or ten minutes if you still feel hungry.
Eat wisely. Protein, whole grains and fiber from fruits and vegetables fill you up and are better for you than potato chips or white rice.
If you have a habit of eating when you're bored, try munching on carrots instead. Or take a short walk.
Explore new foods. Take a cooking class or experiment with new recipes and ingredients. By making food into an adventure, you can look at it as a friend, not an enemy.
Don't forget to exercise. Exercising can stimulate your appetite, and the burning of calories. Make exercise part of your daily activity. Try taking a short walk after dinner.

Whatever you end up doing, make sure you have fun. Food has the potential to be exciting, flavorful and good for you. You don't need to sacrifice flavor for health.

Sources:

http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/diet-mistakes-6-reasons-youre-not-losing-weight