Best Health – August-September 2019

TAME

YOUR

MEAL-

SKIPPING

WAYS

When you miss a

meal, you deprive

your body of key

nutrients. Here are

dietitian-approved

ways to get your three

square meals a day.

by KAREN ROBOCK

HUNGER GAMES

SO, YOU FORGOT TO EAT LUNCH AGAIN

because you got slammed at work or you missed

dinner because you were rushing to your favourite

yoga cla s s. Sk ippi n g a few mea l s i s no bi g g ie, r i g ht?

Wrong, says Brianna Meghawache, a registered

dietitian with Whole Foods Nutrition Coaching in

Edmonton.

For starters, missing meals means that you’re

probably missing out on key vitamins, minerals

and fibre. That’s especially true if you’re just load-

ing up on snacks in between because they don’t

tend to be as nutritionally complete, especially if

you’re reaching for high-sugar and high-carb

grab-and-go options. What’s more, when you skip

meals frequently, your metabolic rate slows down,

which means that you’re burning fewer calories at

rest, setting you up for weight gain. Avoiding

breakfast, lunch or dinner on a regular basis can

also lead to increased feelings of anxiety and

stress (hello, hangry emotions!) because your

66 AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2019 best health besthealthmag.ca

IS

TO

C

K