Skipping meals and then compensating later is detrimental to health. Prolonged fasting followed by consuming a large amount of food quickly can stress the stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, and metabolic processes.

Normally, the stomach secretes acid and digestive fluids according to a biological rhythm, at customary meal times. When a meal is skipped, the stomach continues to secrete acid even without food to digest. If this continues, it can cause gnawing hunger, burning sensations, or discomfort in the epigastric region, potentially worsening symptoms of gastritis or gastroesophageal reflux.

Furthermore, fasting for many hours and then overeating forces the stomach to expand rapidly to accommodate a large volume of food. The process of grinding, mixing, and emptying the stomach slows down, often leading to bloating, indigestion, nausea, or a feeling of fullness after eating.

Doctor Thanh advises a patient on a good diet for digestion. *Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital*

The habit of combining meals can also affect bile secretion. The gallbladder stores and releases bile during meals. If fasting periods are frequently prolonged, bile tends to stagnate longer in the gallbladder, increasing the risk of forming biliary sludge or gallstones.

Individuals who regularly skip breakfast, like you, often tend to eat more later in the day. This leads to excess energy, weight gain, and increased visceral fat. When food intake is concentrated in a single meal, blood sugar and insulin levels also fluctuate more dramatically.

Not all forms of infrequent eating are harmful, however. Some models, such as time-restricted eating or intermittent fasting, can offer metabolic benefits if implemented scientifically and if adequate energy and nutrition are maintained throughout the day.

You should aim to eat three main meals daily. If you cannot have a main meal on time, consider healthy snacks like whole grains, nuts, yogurt, or fruits to avoid prolonged fasting.

If you frequently experience epigastric pain, heartburn, prolonged bloating, nausea, digestive disorders, or unexplained weight loss, you should seek medical evaluation and timely treatment.

Master of Science, Doctor Nguyen Huy Thanh

Department of Gastroenterology

Tam Anh General Hospital Hanoi