Irregular Eating and Frequent Skipping of Meals

Today’s man is constantly under pressure of success and time, so eating results from stress, just before bedtime, late at night or even at night and without a proper appetite, which disrupts metabolism and affects physical and mental performance. Malaise, bloating and digestive problems are the consequences. Many people are forced by a time-consuming workday to take meals irregularly and as quickly as possible, or to skip them altogether. Hunger often comes in between meals because there is no time for breakfast at home. Meals are then taken during work or on the road in the form of fast food, bratwurst, cookies and chocolate bars. These foods are often given priority because their consumption takes hardly any time and they are very tasty due to their high fat and sugar content and additives. However, they contain hardly any essential nutrients and vital substances and cause high glucose serum levels, i.e. blood sugar fluctuations in our body. Food is now only a secondary matter. Not much thought is given to what is eaten and how much is eaten at what time, as the majority of people are not focused on the actual eating, but on work or other things. If meals are frequently taken irregularly under stress and time pressure, gastrointestinal complaints, constipation (constipation), diarrhea (diarrhea), meteorism (flatulence) and heartburn may occur. These symptoms are also favored by poor, hasty chewing and swallowing, as this prepares the food poorly for processing and digestion in the stomach and intestines, and large amounts of air are swallowed along with it. In addition, rapid consumption makes it difficult to regulate the amount of food consumed, because cravings resulting from skipped meals cause large amounts to be consumed at once, and the feeling of satiety sets in late or is only noticed late. The body’s signals are no longer perceived and the risk of obesity increases. The digestive system can only work optimally if a lot of time is taken for eating and eating is done in a relaxed atmosphere and on a regular basis. Meal times should be consciously regarded as phases of relaxation and pleasure. With slow as well as concentrated eating, the feeling of satiety can also be recognized, whereby the body is not supplied with excessive amounts. A stressful daily rhythm causes many people to eat a large meal only in the evening. However, this fact must be viewed critically, because on the one hand, the ingested energy can no longer be consumed at this time and on the other hand, sleep disturbances and a deterioration in the quality of sleep are often the result. A lack of sleep is also promoted by drinks containing caffeine – coffee, tea, cola drinks. It is healthier for the digestive system and the body’s rhythm to eat several small meals spread throughout the day. In this way, the blood sugar level remains relatively constant and hunger attacks as well as constant blood sugar fluctuations are avoided, since the body is supplied with energy evenly throughout the day. Furthermore, snacks should consist of fruit, vegetables or muesli bars and not of foods high in sugar and fat. Irregular eating, skipping meals and the resulting frequent consumption of refined, high-sugar and high-fat foods leads to an inadequate, unbalanced diet and weakens the immune system. The body is not sufficiently supplied with nutrients and vital substances and has only insufficient defense substances such as vitamin C, A and the trace element zinc to support immune functions. An undersupply of these essential – i.e. vital – vital substances increases the risk of infection and leads to long and severe colds. Irregular eating and frequent skipping of meals – vital substance deficiency.