Dear Doctor,

I normally wake up at around 6.00am, but unlike my roommates, I don’t take any serious breakfast. Even at my workplace I only take a cup of plain tea or coffee and wait for lunch. After work, most times I don’t feel hungry so I also normally take some warm water and I go to bed. Are my eating habits anything to worry about?

Collin

Dear Collin,

You have not specified your age, but I presume you would be young. Because at a young age, the body is naturally endowed with strength and one can go for a day without eating. But this is not a healthy practice. After dinner, till next morning the meal consumed is digested. Then the body needs calories for the fresh day. If breakfast is not taken, the body misses on energy first thing in the morning. When one tends to eat after a long time, they tend to eat in large quantities. This puts a load on the digestive system. The nutrients from the meal consumed are not assimilated properly. The inner lining of the stomach produces acid, which serves as protective barrier for the stomach. Food taken at regular intervals tends to neutralise this acid. But if no food is taken for a long time, acid tends to build up, causing burning pain in chest or abdomen,nausea and or vomiting.

Eating a heavy meal once adds on the dyspeptic symptoms. Caffeine present in coffee can aggravate these symptoms. Due to these problems one loses appetite. Also eating only once regularly, tends to kill appetite.

Constipation adds on to the anorexia. Hence an individual, who is skipping meals, does not even feel the need for meals. The consequence of this entire cycle is that the body is deprived of essential nutrients causing malnutrition over time. When dyspepsia (indigestion) develops, the person starts feeling dull and lethargic. Lack of vital nutrients and calories affects performance at work as well, over time. Though in initial stages, one may not realise it.

Your eating habits are really worrisome. Start taking breakfast regularly. Take small frequent meals and avoid late night dinner. Food taken should be balanced. Avoid excess caffeine and junk food. When you start taking meals at a fixed time everyday, the body will also automatically adjust to it. Gradually you will feel hungry at those times.

Dr Rachna Pande  is a specialist in internal medicine at Ruhengeri Hospital