Why Skipping Afternoon Meals Affects More Than Just Your Hunger?

In the fast-paced lifestyle that people have today, it is not uncommon for the dinner meal to go missing, most likely the lunch meal. It is not a reality to deny that people are busy, meeting up with work, work-related meetings, errands, and the like, so spending time for lunch does not seem feasible. The reasons for not having lunch are more than enough to make you feel famished; it goes beyond that.

Let’s explore why that mid-day meal matters more than you think

1. Afternoon Meals Fuel Your Brain and Body

After having breakfast, the body continues its functions for a number of hours, with the use of energy to keep you alert. Afternoon meals, which are skipped, cause a reduction in blood sugar, which in turn affects the functioning of the brain, and poor concentration, forgetfulness, and lack of motivation are experienced. Contrary to consuming certain diets for a boost, a balanced lunch is a continuous supply of nourishment for the body, thus its ability to stay alert during the day.

2. Slowed Metabolism and Weight Imbalance

A common practice that many believe would help in weight loss is skipping lunch. However, the truth is that skipping lunch puts an individual at a higher risk of gaining weight despite the feeling that the hunger pangs are being relieved. This happens because failing to eat for extended periods results in a slowed metabolism rate, which makes an individual likely to indulge in carbohydrate-rich and high-fat foods, thereby throwing their food routines off track. This further causes the body to store fat instead of burning it, increasing their weight.

3. Lowered Immunity Over Time

Eating regular meals helps the body access a regular and constant supply of key nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, proteins, and antioxidants that boost the immune system. Skipping meals regularly can compromise the ability of body to resist diseases, lower the energy levels of the body, and slow the repair processes of the cells. Eating healthy afternoon meals helps the body to be better positioned to meet the everyday challenges.

4. Better Energy, Better Choices

When you take care of your body by eating a nutritious lunch, it becomes easier to eat nutritiously for the rest of the day. You stop looking for unhealthy foods to eat, such as chips or candies, and you can maintain your energy level till dinner. When you take a nutritious lunch that contains proteins, carbs, fats, and vegetables, it becomes easier to remain satisfied, concentrated, and energised for the rest of your day.

What a Healthy Afternoon Meal Looks Like

A healthy mid-day meal does not necessarily mean that it would be complicated. A healthy lunch would mean that it would have a good proportion of protein sources like lentils, eggs, yoghurt, chicken, or tofu. Complex carbohydrates like rice, roti, quinoa, or oats would also be present in the lunch. Along with that, it would also have vegetables like sabzi, salads, or sautéed vegetables. On top of that, some healthy fats like nuts, seeds, avocado, or ghee would also be present.

When you skip lunch, factors beyond satisfying your hunger come into play. It affects not only how you feel but how your body performs. Eating a balanced meal can aid in refocusing while continuing to keep your body operating in a positive and efficient manner. A good diet, as discussed in “Office Lunch Problems and How Tiffin Services Solve Them,” can be a powerful way to overcome lunch problems at the office. No matter what lunch option you select: lunch homemade or lunch home style through Meal Maharaj, lunch matters.