Diet Is Not Skipping Meals

I felt the need to talk about this because I think that many youngsters in Singapore is greatly affected about dieting especially girls. I don't know about you but i really feel that Singapore is a very judgmental country to live in and this could lead to many wrong choices in life just to please other people.

But firstly, many people have to change their mindset that they should slim down because of their own health and fitness and not to be so concern about trying to please other people. i understand that as a normal human, we want people to accept us and we want to fit in with the rest and not be an "out-cast" especially for a person with low-self esteem. But here is an advice, be yourself and let the right people like you instead of trying to be something else to have the wrong people to like you. So put simply, diet because of your own-self and not because of anything else.

So secondly, change your mindset about what diet means. Many people especially youngsters think that diet means skipping meals and not eating. And skipping meals being a lot of consequences to your own body which i will talk more about. It's not about how much you eat but it's about what you eat. Well there comes a common phrase that i am sure you heard of, "You are what you eat". Though you can't take it literally cause i am pretty sure eating a carrot doesn't make you a carrot.. maybe haha.

Why you shouldn't skip your meals:

1. Imbalance of hormones

If you skip one meal a day the cortisol in your body increases and causes anxiety. Insulin also increases and then decreases sharply, leading to unstable blood sugar levels.

2. Digestion problems

Your body is used to working during the day and when you skip a meal, your body has nothing to process. For the metabolism and digestive system is best to have 3 main meals and 2 snacks a day.

3. Keeping the fat

Skipping a meal confuses your body. It thinks that you are starving, so when you happen to skip meals the body starts to store fat to provide the “fuel” for the future, rather than spending it.

4. Depleting your body

Skipping meals slows your metabolism and makes you tired. Only regular meals will enable faster metabolism and burning calories.

5. Altered thinking

You will be surprised, but just skipping a meal will change your perception of food. In your brain a wrong impression is created that the food is not your priority at the moment, which is not good for your overall health.

6. Comes to overeating

Overeating is the last and most severe phase that occurs. Your body during dinner is so exhausted and hungry for calories that leads you to excessive overeating. Usually it results in abdominal pain, and deposition of excess fat and weight.

So apart from the consequences on why you shouldn't skip meals , you also should remember to watch what you eat. And some might want to find out how should they diet? 

Here are some tips for you to lead a healthy eating lifestyle:

1. Simplify

Instead of being overly concerned with counting calories, think of your diet in terms of variety, and freshness and avoid unhealthy foods.

2. Start slow and make changes to your eating habits over time. 

Changing everything at once usually leads to cheating or giving up on your new eating plan. Take small steps, like adding a salad to your diet once a day. As your small changes become habit, you can continue to add more healthy choices to your diet.

3. Every change you make to improve your diet matters. 

You don’t have to completely eliminate foods you enjoy to have a healthy diet. The long term goal is to feel good, have more energy, and reduce the risk of cancer and disease. 

4. Drink lots of water

Water helps to flush our body of waste and toxins that could cause tiredness, low energy and headaches. It is also common to mistake thirst for hunger, so staying hydrated with water will help you make healthier food choices. 

5. Moderation is Key

"Try not to think of certain foods as “off-limits.” When you ban certain foods or food groups, it is natural to want those foods more, and then feel like a failure if you give in to temptation. If you like to eat unhealthy foods, think smaller portions. 

6. Avoid eating at night

Eating only when you’re most active and giving your digestive system a long break each day—may help to regulate weight. And night snacks tend to be high in calories and very fattening.

Everyday we have a duty to be better than our yesterday, diet to be better and healthier and not for anyone else. Help yourself so you can be able to help others, and who knows you may actually save someone life in the future without even knowing.

Referrals/Sources:

http://www.helpguide.org/life/healthy_eating_diet.htm 

http://www.healthyfoodteam.com/what-happens-with-your-body-when-you-skip-a-meal/#sthash.nFw3O7xq.gbpl