Myth#3: Skipping meals can help you lose weight

MYTH:
• Many people think that by skipping a meal, they will be eating less food and therefore will lose weight.


TRUTH:
• People who skip meals (especially breakfast) and eat fewer times during the day tend to be heavier than people who eat four or five times a day.

• When you skip meals, your body will think that you are in "starvation mode" and slow down your metabolism to compensate.

• When waiting so long to eat, you tend to eat more at other meals to compensate for feeling so hungry.  One may also have unhealthy snacks between meals due to this feeling of hunger.

• When you skip meals, you are working against your body trying to lose weight.

• Eating small meals throughout the day helps you control your appetite better and keep your fuel (calories) burning.  It helps control your energy, blood sugar and mood, and enables you to lose weight.

Bottom Line: Enjoy a healthy breakfast, moderate lunch and smaller dinner with healthy snacks between meals (fruits, nuts, seeds, vegetables, etc.), and you will lose weight and feel energized.