Routinely forget to step away from your desk for a proper lunch break?
What happens to your body when youre skipping meals regularly?
(Personally, Im prone tointense hangerthat dissipates upon my first bite of a yummy, long-awaited nosh.)
For starters, Pereira reminds us that food isamong many othergloriousthingsfuel.
Your digestive function can also take a hit.
Perhaps you experience this in the form ofcomfort eatingor, on the flipside, skipping meals when youre overwhelmed.
Alexandra Pereira, CDN, RDN, is a clinical dietitian nutritionist and certified intuitive eating counselor atSilver Hill Hospitalin New Canaan, Connecticut
If youre prone to the latter, you might exacerbate your stress levels and/or mood imbalances even further.
The released hormones tell your body to create more sugar to balance your energy levels.
Kids, too, can suffer without a proper breakfast, as a2017 studypublished in the journalNursing Outlookdiscovered.
Conversely, adults in the highest third of traditional eating patterns had a lower prevalence of developing mood imbalances.
Pereira says its not so black and white.
Develop a routine
To start, creating food-centric routines can be helpful.
Set a specific day each week, or every other week, as your grocery shopping day.
Automate them, if needed, to ensure your kitchen remains stockedand your stomach fullwith healthy, nourishing fare.
Listen up and heed its call, whenever that may be.
Alexandra Pereira, CDN, RDN, is a clinical dietitian nutritionist and certified intuitive eating counselor atSilver Hill Hospitalin New Canaan, Connecticut
Just as your mood and energy levels fluctuate daily, your hunger does too.
If youre feeling hungry, honor it by eating, regardless of whether it aligns with a scheduled mealtime.
Building a habit takes time and effort.
Dont get discouraged if you slip up occasionally.
Just refocus and continue working towards consistency.
The same applies if youre used to grazing at your desk every so often versus packing your own lunch.
As humans, we tend to want to see big changes all at once.
Building a habit takes time and effort.
Dont get discouraged if you slip up occasionally.
Just refocus and continue working towards consistency.
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