Q.

Why do I feel cold, dizzy, and generally unwell when I haven’t eaten for a few hours, such as skipping dinner? I’m non-diabetic and don’t have any other diseases.

Asked by kavita mishra ·

Medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team

Doctor avatar

Answered by SecondMedic Expert

General Physician · General Physician

Experiencing coldness, dizziness, and general unwellness when going for extended periods of time without eating is quite common. When you don’t eat for a few hours or skip dinner, your body is likely telling you that it needs fuel to continue functioning properly.

The primary reason people feel cold or dizzy after skipping meals is because their blood sugar levels drop too much. When food isn’t being consumed regularly and the body struggles to keep up with its energy demands, hypoglycemia - an abnormally low level of glucose in the blood - can occur due to lack of carbohydrates as an energy source. This can cause symptoms like shakiness, confusion, sweating and nausea before leading to feelings lightheadedness that could make someone feel unwell or faint if left unchecked.

If these symptoms become more severe over time then it may be worth discussing your diet with a medical practitioner as they may be able to adjust your meal plan accordingly. In addition to ensuring regular meals are eaten throughout the day (e.g., three small healthy meals + two snacks), including complex carbohydrates within our diets such as wholegrain breads & cereals; pulses & beans; vegetables; rice; pasta & noodles etc., will help maintain balanced levels of glucose in our bloodstreams throughout the day and provide us with adequate energy sources thus reducing any associated risks caused by hypoglycemia occurring due to missed meals/skipping dinner!

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