Myth: Skipping Meals Will Help You Eat Less During the Holidays

The holiday season is filled with festive meals, treats, and celebrations that can make healthy eating feel like an uphill battle. Don’t worry, I’m here to remind you that it will not stump any healthy efforts you’ve made for yourself in this last year. One common myth that often pops up during this time of year is the idea that skipping meals will help you "save room" for all the holiday goodies later in the day. You might think that if you skip breakfast or lunch, you can enjoy a bigger dinner or dessert without overindulging. However, this strategy can actually backfire on our intentions. In this article, we’ll explore why skipping meals is not the secret to enjoying the holiday feast without guilt or discomfort.

Reason #1: Hunger Pangs Lead to Overeating Later

In reality, one of the consequences of skipping meals is that it can actually increase your hunger. When you go too long without eating food, your body becomes ravenous, and that can lead to overeating when you finally sit down for a holiday meal.

Skipping lunch to “save room” for dinner might leave you to overeat not just at dinner, but possibly indulging in multiple rounds of dessert or snacks, too. So, what you thought would be a strategy for eating less ends up leading to more food and possible guilt & discomfort.

Reason #2: Slower Digestion and Metabolism

When you skip meals regularly, even during the holidays, your metabolism may slow down. Your body may interpret long gaps between meals as a sign of scarcity, and in response, it may conserve energy by reducing its metabolic rate.

This can leave you feeling bloated or sluggish after meals, especially when you finally eat a large holiday dinner. Instead of helping you enjoy the food without guilt, skipping meals can make digestion more difficult and leave you feeling less energetic. Eating regular, balanced meals helps your metabolism stay active, so you can enjoy your holiday meals without feeling sluggish afterward.

The Key to Enjoying the Holidays: Balance and Consistency

Rather than skipping meals to "save room" for holiday treats, the key is to maintain balance and consistency with your eating throughout the day. By eating regular meals that provide a mix of healthy proteins, fiber, and fats, you’ll feel satisfied and energized without needing to overeat at the dinner table.

If you're attending a holiday party or feast, focus on enjoying the moment and savoring your favorite foods without feeling deprived or overly full. When you nourish your body consistently, you’ll be less likely to overindulge, allowing you to truly enjoy the holiday season in a healthy and balanced way.

Bottom line: It’s balance over deprivation.

In conclusion, skipping meals might seem like a quick fix for enjoying more food later, but it’s not the healthy solution it appears to be. Instead, it may lead to overeating, slowed metabolism and possible digestive discomfort —none of which help you feel good or enjoy your holiday gatherings. Instead, focus on nourishing your body with regular, balanced meals that give you the energy to fully enjoy all the festivities, indulge in holiday favorites without overdoing it, and leave you feeling satisfied and content.

Happy holidays to diet practices…your body will thank you for it!