Myth vs. Fact: Skipping Meals

Author: Ileana Vink, RD - DukeWELL Registered Dietitian

Diabetes Myth: If my blood sugar is high before a meal, I should skip a meal

Skipping meals does not help improve your blood sugar, and it can cause problems later.

Our bodies need fuel for energy, and we get that fuel from food. If you skip meals, you will probably feel tired and have a hard time doing the things you need to do.

When you skip meals, it does not mean your blood sugar will improve. Skipping meals can cause you to have low blood sugars, if you are on certain types of medicines. Skipping meals may cause your blood sugar to go even higher than it was before. When you don’t eat, your body feels stressed. That stress causes your body to make stress hormones.  These hormones cause your liver to make more sugar. The result is that your blood sugar will go higher.

Skipping meals can also have negative results later in the day. When you skip meals, it often makes you very hungry as the day goes on. When you are very hungry, you are more likely to overeat when you do have a meal or snack later. You may eat too fast and get overly full before you realize it. You may even grab the first thing you can find to eat, instead of taking time to plan a balanced meal. You may crave foods that are more sugary because your body is hungry for quick fuel.  All of these things will affect your blood sugar, likely causing it to rise.

It is okay for your blood sugar to be high before a meal every once in a while. Stress, sleep, or sickness can cause your blood sugars to be high from time to time. If your blood sugars are often high before meals, talk to your provider, dietitian, or diabetes educator. It may mean you need changes made to your medicines or diet. Remember, the solution should never be skipping meals.