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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To thinking skipping meals is fine?

69 replies

Socialcarenope · 15/01/2022 21:45

Not all the time obviously, but if you aren't hungry?

Today I woke up late so didn't have breakfast, we had lunch at 1.30 (quiche, salad & coleslaw) and then I spent the afternoon painting. At 4pm I finished, was a bit hungry so had a crumpet. We had a family movie night, so the kids had pizza and we each had a small bag of popcorn. DH went to do some work and I put the kids to bed and I've not eaten dinner, I'm just not hungry. I then spoke to my mum and she asked if we'd eaten or not (you know, usual chatter) and when I said I probably wouldn't (it was nearly 9pm) she almost had a fit and said how unhealthy it was.

I personally think eating when you aren't hungry is more unhealthy! Admittedly I've probably not had my 5 (or 9) a day today but I do usually.

AIBU to think it isn't unhealthy?

OP posts:

ApplesinmyPocket · 16/01/2022 02:07

I never eat when I'm not hungry, which always means no breakfast, at least, because my system doesn't seem to wake up till much later.

If I'm out all day and don't fancy anything available I'll happily skip that too, but I do eat when I AM hungry and am a normal weight so must be doing something right.

Kitkat151 · 16/01/2022 02:16

[quote LemonSwan]@MeSanniesareBrannies

Not really sure tbh; as I said I dont really calorie count and am not an expert on nutrition. Its just normal to me so theres not much logic in it.

All I know is if I have just a sandwich I wouldnt feel right. So I need to have a proper meal - which is more difficult at lunch. So I just have a dinner.[/quote]
Are you overweight? Or do you have a healthy BMI ?
Do you have a healthy cholesterol level? As eating one meal a day can adversely affect cholesterol

LemonSwan · 16/01/2022 02:28

Are you overweight? Or do you have a healthy BMI ?
Do you have a healthy cholesterol level? As eating one meal a day can adversely affect cholesterol

I am 5'3 and size 8/10 depending on fit so certainly not overweight - but never weigh myself so dont know, but assume somewhere between 8-9 stone.

I dont know what my cholesterol is but I do know my bloods generally are good. My blood pressure can be on the low side though - that is a problem for me sometimes. And I can have a blood sugar crisis if I break a fast with something stupid like a chocolate bar and don't eat anything in short succession.

SpringRainbow · 16/01/2022 06:02

I could quite happily never eat breakfast ever again really, I generally only eat breakfast for ‘social’ reasons (eating with others). I really struggle to eat before 9am, so really only eat breakfast with family if they are all having a ‘late’ breakfast.

Most mornings however, the kids are begging for breakfast about 7am (how can they eat so early ). So I don’t often eat with them in the mornings. I generally just give them food and potter around doing things.

I generally don’t tend to feel hunger until about 11.30/12pm. So, if it was literally just up to me I would only ever eat 2 meals a day.

I’m also not a big snacker, I don’t get having regular snack times. Sometimes I will have a snack, but most days I don’t.

I have also never routinely given snacks to small children either. I don’t really understand the concept.

eebok · 16/01/2022 06:16

As a one off, fine.

If most days you're surviving off a bit of salad and popcorn, then surely you're not getting enough nutrients for a really healthy body, and you're messing up your metabolism?

Original poster

Socialcarenope · 16/01/2022 07:22

@eebok

As a one off, fine.

If most days you're surviving off a bit of salad and popcorn, then surely you're not getting enough nutrients for a really healthy body, and you're messing up your metabolism?

Firstly, not a bit of salad and popcorn there was quiche and a crumpet (and a glass of orange juice and some cups of tea and coffee). It added up to 1500 calories, quiche is high calorie! And I had a very sedentary day.

And secondly, not everyday but I'm not skipping meals and feeling hungry and I'm not doing it for weight loss purposes either.

OP posts:

whowhywhenwhat · 16/01/2022 08:08

I'm not skipping meals and feeling hungry and I'm not doing it for weight loss purposes either.

Wouldn't matter if you were, if weight loss was appropriate. Doesn't matter if you feel hungry occasionally either.

Fat store's primary purpose is storing energy until we need to use it.

You do need reasonable nutrition, though.

MaxNormal · 16/01/2022 12:59

@LemonSwan sorry random but may I say I rather like your style.

FrazzledMCPremenopausalWoman · 16/01/2022 13:02

No I totally agree. My BMI is 24.5 so definitely not underweight. This week I've had two days where I've just had a yogurt or a bit of fruit because I just haven't fancied anything. I'll make up for it other days when I really am hungry. I'd prefer to listen to my stomach than my watch.

JurgensCakeBabyJesus · 16/01/2022 13:10

I'm like this, but gain weight easily. When I stick rigidly to 3 meals a day and plenty of water I don't gain weight

Chely · 16/01/2022 13:16

If you are ensuring you are meeting your nutritional needs with fewer meals it is fine, if not you should rethink. I don't eat until late afternoon most days, have the occasional day where I graze. Extended fasts get a shock response from most.

ClaudineClare · 16/01/2022 13:19

I find I am much less hungry as I get older (50s). I have only eaten two meals (breakfast and dinner) a day plus a snack for years now. I think if I ate like I did a decade ago I would soon be overweight.

There does seem to be a culture that it is not good to let yourself feel hungry for a few hours.

pradavilla · 16/01/2022 13:29

It's not unhealthy. So long as ur having a balanced diet and still eating then it's fine.

I very rarely have breakfast and lunch. More like brunch most days and then dinner but I snack a lot. Today I've just eaten for the first time and it's nearly 1.30pm. It's quite normal for me. I sometimes skip dinner too and maybe just have something light later on.

zingally · 16/01/2022 14:02

I often skip meals at the weekend!

If I have breakfast, I'll end up skipping lunch. Or vice versa.

I don't see any harm in it.

Strokethefurrywall · 16/01/2022 14:35

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with skipping meals, eating once a day or just eating to suit your own body.
People have been fasting for an age, not eating 3 meals a day is nothing new.

Justgettingbye · 16/01/2022 15:47

This was a lightbulb moment in trying to sever ties with bad childhood eating habits. I was definitely eating because it was 'breakfast time' 'lunch time' etc and o wasn't always hungry. Then when I took a second to listen to my body and realise actually I don't have to eat I felt better

MaybeHeIsMyCat · 16/01/2022 15:56

I live alone and weekends I tend to eat differently and be less hungry. If you're not hungry then don't eat provided it's not all the time and you're underweight of course

Today -
pear juice, porridge with a banana, 3 dried apricots
Apple, latte, mini twirl bar
Might have some veg soup later

LovelyMoans · 16/01/2022 16:05

Yanbu

But

It's less good if in reality what you mean is you eat the same calories but get them from carby snacks spread randomly through the day rather than balanced meals including veg and protein.

Feetupteashot · 16/01/2022 16:18

Your diet sounds unhealthy today so yabu and not setting go example.

However skipping the odd meal in general yanbu. Especially when had big lunch

I think skipping lunch for e.g. cake is unreasonable if you are trying to model healthy eating for children. So it depends

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