When it comes to losing weight, the question of whether or not to skip dinner is a common one. And the answer isn’t quite so simple.
On one hand, skipping dinner can help create a calorie deficit which promotes weight loss over time. Since you’re consuming fewer calories by cutting out a whole meal, it may result in a pound or two dropping per week.
But there are some downsides. Skipping meals can backfire by leading to overeating later in the evening or next morning. Your body may hold on to fat stores more stubbornly too if it senses starvation.
It also depends what you eat the rest of the day. If you’re loading up on pizza, burgers and fries for lunch and snacks, skipping dinner won’t really help your efforts. You gotta look at total daily calories and nutrition.
For most people, a better approach is eating balanced, portion-controlled meals throughout the day. Have a hearty breakfast, moderate lunch and lighter dinner. Focus on lean proteins, whole grains, fruits and veggies at each.
You can also try intermittent fasting, limiting eating to an 8-10 hour window daily. This gives your body a break from digesting and shifts it into fat burning mode more often.
So in summary, skipping dinner once in a while as part of an overall healthy plan can offer some benefits. But it shouldn’t be the foundation of your weight loss strategy. Consistency with nutrition and lifestyle habits day-to-day is key.