Skipping meals (then overeating later)

This pattern typically involves not eating (or eating very little) during the day, followed by eating large amounts in the evening, often quickly or mindlessly. It may feel like a loss of control and can be accompanied by guilt.

It’s especially common in people trying to lose weight without structure, or in those with busy or stressful lifestyles.

• You regularly skip breakfast or lunch and eat most of your calories in the evening
• You feel ravenous or “out of control” around food at night
• You binge on high-calorie or comfort foods
• You feel tired, irritable, or lightheaded during the day and this resolves with food
• You experience digestive discomfort or poor sleep after evening overeating
• You may find it difficult to sleep without eating at night
• You may experience a dip in mood in the evenings and use food as a coping mechanism

Biological Drivers

• Prolonged fasting leads to strong hunger and cravings later in the day
• Blood sugar crashes can increase appetite and decrease decision-making control
• The body compensates for missed calories by amplifying hunger hormones like ghrelin

Psychological and Behavioural Causes

• Trying to lose weight by decreasing calories, later in the day fatigue leads to decreased will power and can lead to poor food choices
• “Saving calories” during the day to justify eating more later
• Stress or busyness causing you to ignore hunger cues
• Rewarding yourself with food after a difficult day
• Feeling out of control due to unstructured eating patterns

• Weight gain from eating large volumes of food at night
• Disrupted blood sugar levels and energy crashes
• Increased risk of binge eating behaviours
• Poor sleep due to late-night eating
• Low energy and irritability from under-fuelling during the day
• Disrupted Circadian Rhythm leading to poor regulation of metabolism and fatigue leading to further poor decision making

Practical Strategies

• Eat regular, balanced meals: Aim for three meals a day with protein, fibre, and healthy fats
• Don’t skip breakfast: Eating early can help regulate appetite and energy
• Keep healthy snacks on hand: Prevent energy dips and poor food choices
• Pause before evening eating: Ask if you’re truly hungry or compensating
• Reflect on your routine: Identify patterns that contribute to meal skipping

GLP-1 weight loss medications such as Wegovy and Mounjaro can help reduce the urge to skip meals by creating steadier appetite patterns and reducing extreme hunger later in the day.
These treatments work by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone, which regulates how quickly food leaves the stomach and helps the brain recognise when you are satisfied. This leads to more stable energy levels and less temptation to overeat after long gaps without food.

For many people, GLP-1s make it easier to follow regular, balanced eating habits. By preventing sharp hunger spikes, they can help break the cycle of skipping meals during the day and then overeating at night.

You can learn more about how these GLP-1 injections work on our GLP-1 overview page.

If this pattern is ongoing or causes distress, it may help to speak with a healthcare professional. Skipping meals and overeating later may point to underlying emotional eating or appetite dysregulation.

GLP-1 medications can help regulate appetite, reduce extreme hunger, and support more balanced eating habits throughout the day.

Medicspot offers a free 15-minute 1-2-1 call with a member of our weight loss support team. You can ask questions, discuss any concerns, and find out whether we might be able to support you.

Skipping meals might seem like a shortcut to cutting calories, but it often backfires — leading to stronger cravings, low energy, and rebound eating later on. Establishing a consistent routine of balanced meals supports steady progress and helps avoid the ups and downs that make dieting difficult.

GLP-1 medications like Wegovy and Mounjaro can help by controlling appetite and stabilising hunger, making it easier to eat regularly without feeling deprived.

At Medicspot, our clinicians combine medical treatment and behavioural coaching to help you find a sustainable, healthy rhythm that fits your lifestyle.

Start your free online assessment to see if GLP-1 treatment could be right for you, or use the weight loss calculator below to find out instantly if you are likely to be eligible and to see how much weight you could lose.

Dr Jackir Hussain is a GP who has been a doctor for 14 years after obtaining his medical degree from the University of Manchester, England. He has worked across a range of primary care settings and has special interests in weight management and telemedicine.

Dr Abby Hyams completed her medical training in Bristol and has been a GP for 19 years, spending many of those as a partner in an NHS practice in Hemel Hempstead. She has a particular passion for supporting patients with weight loss and promoting positive behaviour change, helping individuals build sustainable habits that improve their long-term health and wellbeing.

This article is for general information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. Medic Spot Limited has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but makes no warranty as to its accuracy. Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. In the event of an emergency, please call 999 for immediate assistance.

There is no guarantee of a specific weight loss medication being prescribed. Clinicians will review your online questionnaire and will recommend the most appropriate weight loss treatments for you based on your answers. In some cases the clinicians may contact you for additional information. See our Terms of Service for more information.