Anyone else feel really sick if you skip meals or eat "too little" at mealtime?

kiela64

While working on taking more initiative with my food and not buying fast food, there have been a few days where I've missed breakfast or eaten a very small breakfast or lunch, or had a big long wait between lunch and dinner. It's not planned, but usually due to running late, oversleeping, or traffic. It's not something I want to be doing, but it's happened probably 5 times total by mistake.

In these events, I've felt really ill! I get a headache and I feel dizzy, and it doesn't immediately go away with food. I can eat 2x the amount I would have eaten on time before feeling better. It messes up the rest of my day sometimes with an inability to concentrate, and severely reduces my energy level for the whole day.

I do my best to eat on time, eat full and balanced meals, and pack snacks. But experiencing this makes me very afraid to "go hungry" at any point.

I see a lot of people doing IF or skipping lunch to make room for a dinner out, etc. But I just can't do that! Does everyone just put up with the sick feelings, or is this really something unusual that I'm experiencing?

glitzy196

Its not for everyone. I get up at 6am most days, and don't feel my first hunger pains untill about 12:30. Don't ever go so long that you feel sick. I also find a 50 calorie cheese stick will knock my hunger out.

PinkPixiexox

For me, I tried IF for one day. That's right, I lasted one day! If I don't eat on time, at least three times a day, not only do I feel very, very hungry but I am probably the scariest person to be around mood-wise! I need food! I LOVE food!

IF doesn't work for me but I can see the benefits. It's not for every one!

I'd say listen to your body, if it says eat - do your very best to eat. Even if it's a quick snack grab from your local shop because that's all you have time for. It's better to do that and log it when you get the time than to let your body start yelling at you!

tigersword

If it's actually making you ill, see a doctor. Going several hours without eating shouldn't cause illness (it's how humans have survived for thousands of years.) It could be a sign of something serious going down.

Pawsforme

It sounds as if you're having a low blood sugar/hypoglycemia type problem. I used to, but eating lower carb really seems to help keep things steady. If it's really much of an issue it would be a good idea to see your doctor about it.

Linzon

I went to my doctor with similar symptoms. I was worried about diabetes (had some other potential symptoms too) but it turns out I'm just hypoglycaemic. Eating right when I wake up and every few hours keeps that lightheaded gross feeling away, as well as trying to get some protein in at every snack/meal. I'd say it's worth a visit to your doctor to be on the safe side!

MoiAussi93

I used to get nauseous if I didn't eat breakfast, and sometimes got a headache along with it. It was just a low blood sugar issue. Now that I eat low carb I no longer have that problem. I can eat breakfast or skip it and am fine either way.

kiela64

Interesting, thanks everyone! I didn't think it would be a medical issue, but I'll make a note of it & ask next time I go to the doctor's.

macgurlnet

On rare occasion I'll get a terrible headache if I haven't eaten enough. Tends to happen if I'm much more active than usual and have been eating less than usual (like today, with an 8 mile run in the morning and then a small breakfast after since I wasn't too hungry yet).

It would be worth asking your doctor about this, just so you know if you should worry. As long as I avoid getting "too" hungry, I'm good, and it sounds like you are also

~Lyssa

lorrpb

Yes same here Iust eat on a regular schedule or I get headache & dizzy and messed up for rest of day. No hypoglycemia, guess that's how my body goes.

callsitlikeiseeit

everyone is different.

If i am busy, i can easily skip breakfast, and even lunch, but will start feeling sick mid afternoon.

that said, if i eat breakfast or lunch, i can skip dinner. Today i had a late lunch, which worked out well, cause i wont be hungry for dinner, and can use those calories for deck drinking tonight

i may not get hungry, but a beer always sounds good

pstegman888

I get that way sometimes ... usually a little bit of protein, such as a half of a cheese stick, yogurt, or cottage cheese, will do the trick.

jennifer_417

IF really isn't for everyone. It's just another way to create a calorie deficit.

Strawblackcat

Not eating during the day generally doesn't bother me too much. I'm never hungry when I wake up, and I don't usually even feel hungry until around 1:00-2:00pm. Actually, eating early in the morning usually makes me feel nauseated,

That said, I do need to eat my calories for the day, or else I'll really feel it when I wake up the next morning. If I ate too little the day before, I'll be really cold and shaky the day after. It resolves itself by the next day if I make sure to eat well that night, but it always sucks when that happens.

feisty_bucket

Pawsforme wrote: »

It sounds as if you're having a low blood sugar/hypoglycemia type problem. I used to, but eating lower carb really seems to help keep things steady. If it's really much of an issue it would be a good idea to see your doctor about it.

Yeah, I agree with this. I've been doing intermittent fasting stuff for about a year with no problems, but I eat a high-fat diet. All the people I know who handle IF well eat high-fat too.

OP, it sounds like your sugar is crashing and that's what's making you feel bad. Just a guess.

tomatoey

Very common - blood sugar related. I get them when I miss breakfast
http://www.livestrong.com/article/375852-why-do-i-get-a-headache-when-im-hungry/

Francl27

I'm the same way. I suggest keeping a snack in your jacket or something just in case.

kshama2001

kae612 wrote: »

While working on taking more initiative with my food and not buying fast food, there have been a few days where I've missed breakfast or eaten a very small breakfast or lunch, or had a big long wait between lunch and dinner. It's not planned, but usually due to running late, oversleeping, or traffic. It's not something I want to be doing, but it's happened probably 5 times total by mistake.

In these events, I've felt really ill! I get a headache and I feel dizzy, and it doesn't immediately go away with food. I can eat 2x the amount I would have eaten on time before feeling better. It messes up the rest of my day sometimes with an inability to concentrate, and severely reduces my energy level for the whole day.

Yup, same results here after skipping meals, plus I crave carbs.

I do my best to eat on time, eat full and balanced meals, and pack snacks. But experiencing this makes me very afraid to "go hungry" at any point.

Same here.

I see a lot of people doing IF or skipping lunch to make room for a dinner out, etc. But I just can't do that! Does everyone just put up with the sick feelings, or is this really something unusual that I'm experiencing?

Probably IF just isn't for everyone.

Interesting, thanks everyone! I didn't think it would be a medical issue, but I'll make a note of it & ask next time I go to the doctor's.

Do let me know if your doctor says anything more than to not let yourself get too hungry.

yesimpson

I feel sick if I have to wait a long time between meals, and often a bit shaky and faint as well (low blood sugar I think). I usually do feel better within about 10-15 minutes of eating though.

LastingChanges

kae612 wrote: »

While working on taking more initiative with my food and not buying fast food, there have been a few days where I've missed breakfast or eaten a very small breakfast or lunch, or had a big long wait between lunch and dinner. It's not planned, but usually due to running late, oversleeping, or traffic. It's not something I want to be doing, but it's happened probably 5 times total by mistake.

In these events, I've felt really ill! I get a headache and I feel dizzy, and it doesn't immediately go away with food. I can eat 2x the amount I would have eaten on time before feeling better. It messes up the rest of my day sometimes with an inability to concentrate, and severely reduces my energy level for the whole day.

I do my best to eat on time, eat full and balanced meals, and pack snacks. But experiencing this makes me very afraid to "go hungry" at any point.

I see a lot of people doing IF or skipping lunch to make room for a dinner out, etc. But I just can't do that! Does everyone just put up with the sick feelings, or is this really something unusual that I'm experiencing?

You described exactly my problem. I always feel like a weirdo because people around me can go hours without eating but I have to always plan when my next meal will be or I get sick. It feels just as you stated it and it ruins my whole day and takes hours to get my energy back. Your blood sugar is probably dropping, it could be hypoglycemia but even if your sugar isn't dropping severly low to cause hypoglycemia some people still feel the effects when sugar drops a little lower than normal. Eating/snacking every 4 hours is helpful.

LastingChanges

Linzon wrote: »

I went to my doctor with similar symptoms. I was worried about diabetes (had some other potential symptoms too) but it turns out I'm just hypoglycaemic. Eating right when I wake up and every few hours keeps that lightheaded gross feeling away, as well as trying to get some protein in at every snack/meal. I'd say it's worth a visit to your doctor to be on the safe side!

How were you diagnosied with hypoglycemia? Was it based on your symptoms or they did testing which indicated hypo?

nvmomketo

kae612 wrote: »

While working on taking more initiative with my food and not buying fast food, there have been a few days where I've missed breakfast or eaten a very small breakfast or lunch, or had a big long wait between lunch and dinner. It's not planned, but usually due to running late, oversleeping, or traffic. It's not something I want to be doing, but it's happened probably 5 times total by mistake.

In these events, I've felt really ill! I get a headache and I feel dizzy, and it doesn't immediately go away with food. I can eat 2x the amount I would have eaten on time before feeling better. It messes up the rest of my day sometimes with an inability to concentrate, and severely reduces my energy level for the whole day.

I do my best to eat on time, eat full and balanced meals, and pack snacks. But experiencing this makes me very afraid to "go hungry" at any point.

I see a lot of people doing IF or skipping lunch to make room for a dinner out, etc. But I just can't do that! Does everyone just put up with the sick feelings, or is this really something unusual that I'm experiencing?

I had this all the time when I ate normal carb levels. It sounds like blood glucose swings - hypoglycaemia. It could also be a sign of prediabetes or diabetes. Those with IR will often experience larger BG swings. Get checked. Or buy yourself a blood glucose testing kit to check yourself.

Switching to a LCHF diet completely eliminated my shakes, headaches, fatigue, and dizziness.

Best wishes.

umayster

nvmomketo wrote: »

kae612 wrote: »

While working on taking more initiative with my food and not buying fast food, there have been a few days where I've missed breakfast or eaten a very small breakfast or lunch, or had a big long wait between lunch and dinner. It's not planned, but usually due to running late, oversleeping, or traffic. It's not something I want to be doing, but it's happened probably 5 times total by mistake.

In these events, I've felt really ill! I get a headache and I feel dizzy, and it doesn't immediately go away with food. I can eat 2x the amount I would have eaten on time before feeling better. It messes up the rest of my day sometimes with an inability to concentrate, and severely reduces my energy level for the whole day.

I do my best to eat on time, eat full and balanced meals, and pack snacks. But experiencing this makes me very afraid to "go hungry" at any point.

I see a lot of people doing IF or skipping lunch to make room for a dinner out, etc. But I just can't do that! Does everyone just put up with the sick feelings, or is this really something unusual that I'm experiencing?

I had this all the time when I ate normal carb levels. It sounds like blood glucose swings - hypoglycaemia. It could also be a sign of prediabetes or diabetes. Those with IR will often experience larger BG swings. Get checked. Or buy yourself a blood glucose testing kit to check yourself.

Switching to a LCHF diet completely eliminated my shakes, headaches, fatigue, and dizziness.

Best wishes.

Same here, my new diet is based on proteins and fats (mostly fats) and by limiting carbs to under 50 grams a day I was able to get off the hunger train. I'm losing a pound a week with no exercise and at a calorie restriction I never could have maintained on the 'hangry' style of eating which was 50% carbs instead of 10% percent now.

When you are hangry you lose all good judgement for eating, it is biological - eating when hungry is one of the strongest human drives. You must tame it with foods & nutrition appropriate for YOUR body!

kiku76

I agree with the low blood sugar answer. I used to be the same way. In fact, I still can't eat, say oatmeal, for breakfast without being itritable with nausea and the need to eat like now within a couple hours.
I'm not low carb, but making sure I eat protein and some fat at meals helps a lot.

Also, idk if this applies, but I noticed my crazy blood sugar leveled out more when I got off birth control pills. The hormones were not good for me

AlabasterVerve

nvmomketo wrote: »

kae612 wrote: »

While working on taking more initiative with my food and not buying fast food, there have been a few days where I've missed breakfast or eaten a very small breakfast or lunch, or had a big long wait between lunch and dinner. It's not planned, but usually due to running late, oversleeping, or traffic. It's not something I want to be doing, but it's happened probably 5 times total by mistake.

In these events, I've felt really ill! I get a headache and I feel dizzy, and it doesn't immediately go away with food. I can eat 2x the amount I would have eaten on time before feeling better. It messes up the rest of my day sometimes with an inability to concentrate, and severely reduces my energy level for the whole day.

I do my best to eat on time, eat full and balanced meals, and pack snacks. But experiencing this makes me very afraid to "go hungry" at any point.

I see a lot of people doing IF or skipping lunch to make room for a dinner out, etc. But I just can't do that! Does everyone just put up with the sick feelings, or is this really something unusual that I'm experiencing?

I had this all the time when I ate normal carb levels. It sounds like blood glucose swings - hypoglycaemia. It could also be a sign of prediabetes or diabetes. Those with IR will often experience larger BG swings. Get checked. Or buy yourself a blood glucose testing kit to check yourself.

Switching to a LCHF diet completely eliminated my shakes, headaches, fatigue, and dizziness.

Best wishes.

LCHF worked for me as well. My doctor told me it was fine and advised me to eat more often but that, in my opinion, was complete BS. It wasn't fine, it's not normal -- even if it's common -- and I know now that not being able to skip or delay a meal without feeling sick was one of the first signs I was eating too much carbohydrate.

LastingChanges

AlabasterVerve wrote: »

nvmomketo wrote: »

kae612 wrote: »

While working on taking more initiative with my food and not buying fast food, there have been a few days where I've missed breakfast or eaten a very small breakfast or lunch, or had a big long wait between lunch and dinner. It's not planned, but usually due to running late, oversleeping, or traffic. It's not something I want to be doing, but it's happened probably 5 times total by mistake.

In these events, I've felt really ill! I get a headache and I feel dizzy, and it doesn't immediately go away with food. I can eat 2x the amount I would have eaten on time before feeling better. It messes up the rest of my day sometimes with an inability to concentrate, and severely reduces my energy level for the whole day.

I do my best to eat on time, eat full and balanced meals, and pack snacks. But experiencing this makes me very afraid to "go hungry" at any point.

I see a lot of people doing IF or skipping lunch to make room for a dinner out, etc. But I just can't do that! Does everyone just put up with the sick feelings, or is this really something unusual that I'm experiencing?

I had this all the time when I ate normal carb levels. It sounds like blood glucose swings - hypoglycaemia. It could also be a sign of prediabetes or diabetes. Those with IR will often experience larger BG swings. Get checked. Or buy yourself a blood glucose testing kit to check yourself.

Switching to a LCHF diet completely eliminated my shakes, headaches, fatigue, and dizziness.

Best wishes.

LCHF worked for me as well. My doctor told me it was fine and advised me to eat more often but that, in my opinion, was complete BS. It wasn't fine, it's not normal -- even if it's common -- and I know now that not being able to skip or delay a meal without feeling sick was one of the first signs I was eating too much carbohydrate.

I feel the same, Dr told me there is no way to actually diagnose hypoglycemia and it isn't considered a "real" problem. Said to increase protein. I know something in my body isn't working correctly even though they say it is fine. It is really frustrating to always worry about missing a meal or not eating on time. I don't think I eat a lot of carbs to begin with, I am mostly gluten free and if I eat carbs it's only some potatoes, yams, or gluten free oats. What % is your carbs set to on MFP?

fidangul

This only happened to me when I was pregnant. During both pregnancy I had to have a regular meal time. If not I suffered from nausea.

LastingChanges

fidangul wrote: »

This only happened to me when I was pregnant. During both pregnancy I had to have a regular meal time. If not I suffered from nausea.

I think that is a common pregnancy thing. Don't think it has anything to do with sugar. I know a lot of pregos that would time their meals and always look at their watch to make sure they are on time.

healthygreek

I must eat a good protein/carb filled breakfast before I work out in the morning or else I simply lose energy smack in the middle of my hour long workout.
Other than that, I can go many hours without food as long as I'm drinking enough water.
I live my life doing IF because it's just my natural eating pattern.
Moderate breakfast
Huge lunch (or dinner)
That's it.
My daughter needs snacks plus 3 meals or she feels as you feel.

AlabasterVerve

HereToLoseOrWin wrote: »

AlabasterVerve wrote: »

nvmomketo wrote: »

kae612 wrote: »

While working on taking more initiative with my food and not buying fast food, there have been a few days where I've missed breakfast or eaten a very small breakfast or lunch, or had a big long wait between lunch and dinner. It's not planned, but usually due to running late, oversleeping, or traffic. It's not something I want to be doing, but it's happened probably 5 times total by mistake.

In these events, I've felt really ill! I get a headache and I feel dizzy, and it doesn't immediately go away with food. I can eat 2x the amount I would have eaten on time before feeling better. It messes up the rest of my day sometimes with an inability to concentrate, and severely reduces my energy level for the whole day.

I do my best to eat on time, eat full and balanced meals, and pack snacks. But experiencing this makes me very afraid to "go hungry" at any point.

I see a lot of people doing IF or skipping lunch to make room for a dinner out, etc. But I just can't do that! Does everyone just put up with the sick feelings, or is this really something unusual that I'm experiencing?

I had this all the time when I ate normal carb levels. It sounds like blood glucose swings - hypoglycaemia. It could also be a sign of prediabetes or diabetes. Those with IR will often experience larger BG swings. Get checked. Or buy yourself a blood glucose testing kit to check yourself.

Switching to a LCHF diet completely eliminated my shakes, headaches, fatigue, and dizziness.

Best wishes.

LCHF worked for me as well. My doctor told me it was fine and advised me to eat more often but that, in my opinion, was complete BS. It wasn't fine, it's not normal -- even if it's common -- and I know now that not being able to skip or delay a meal without feeling sick was one of the first signs I was eating too much carbohydrate.

I feel the same, Dr told me there is no way to actually diagnose hypoglycemia and it isn't considered a "real" problem. Said to increase protein. I know something in my body isn't working correctly even though they say it is fine. It is really frustrating to always worry about missing a meal or not eating on time. I don't think I eat a lot of carbs to begin with, I am mostly gluten free and if I eat carbs it's only some potatoes, yams, or gluten free oats. What % is your carbs set to on MFP?

I can't eat much more than 50g of carbs a day too often without starting to experience problems. It doesn't even matter what type of carbs; table sugar, whole grains or vegetables it's all the same to me. Too much is too much.

But I was experiencing problems for years and years without knowing it. If I knew what was happening when these problems first started occurring (and took action) I don't think I would have to restrict my carbs so severely today. A lot of people find the idea of low carb intolerable -- and that's fine your diet needs to be sustainable for you first and foremost -- but here's a nice beginners guide if anyone is at all interested:

LCHF for Beginners

kiela64

This is really interesting, thank you all for your responses!

I've just had my carbs as the typical MFP setting, but I can't say I've really watched them closely at all. I might see if I can give eating a bit lower-carb a shot. I do dearly love carbs, but I don't need to have a massive amount of them. The Food Guide suggests 6 servings of starches a day, and I can eat below that. If I eat a breakfast without starches, and have one starch serving at lunch and two at supper, I can eat 3 starch servings. I'm not sure how fruits and vegetables (and general dietary carbs in everything) all add up, but I'll see if I can track it.

Regarding the birth control thing, I've had it for many years. It's been a lifesaver for the cramps/irregularities I used to get, so I'd rather see if I can keep it. But I'll look into it.

I'm trying to carry food like nuts around with me, and it definitely helps alleviate the problem. I just feel kind of crazy, like I'm obsessing irrationally when I don't see anyone else experiencing this. Glad to know I'm not the only one!