Why You Should Eat on a Regular Basis

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Why You Should Eat on a Regular Basis

Many of our mothers taught us the impor

tance of eating three, regular-sized meals each day. Recent scientific studies indicate that Mom may have been wrong. They tell us that it is actually healthier for us to eat a larger number of smaller meals scattered through the day. Many professional nutritionists, however, have frowned upon the idea of eating more, but smaller meals.



A recent study published in the British Medical Journal indicates that eating frequent, small meals causes a person to have lower cholesterol levels in the bloodstream. Several other studies indicate snacking has a wide range of other benefits. It assists in maintaining a healthy body weight and a general feeling of health and well-being.



The notion that eating between meals is bad for us is based on the idea that eating more meals means consuming additional calories. Eager to do whatever will keep our weight down, many of us eat only three, or sometimes less than that, meals per day. Unfortunately, when we eat less frequently, we tend to consume more food. These larger meals can interfere with our internal chemistry and cause long-term health problems.



Larger, less frequent meals can create higher levels of sugar and hormone insulin in the bloodstream. Insulin is necessary in the body, but too much can create problems. Another function of insulin is to stimulate the conversion of sugar into fat. Insulin can also cause the liver to produce cholesterol and other blood fats. These substances, called triglycerides, create risk factors that can lead to heart disease and strokes.



The question arises, "What is the optimal number of meals that should be eaten each day?" The number will vary some from person to person. However, the best number appears to be no less than four, but no more than six, meals per day. A number larger than that can create other problems. It is important to remember that, while the number of meals increases on this dietary plan, the total number of calories consumed should remain about the same.



A great benefit of eating more frequently throughout the day is that it radically speeds up metabolism. When the body receives fuel more often, it continually burns fat throughout the day. There is no need for it to try to store fat for future use. It is too easy for a person to think, "Oh, I’ve not eaten for several hours. I’m really hungry, so I must be burning lots of calories." It doesn’t work that way. When a person is extra hungry, he eats much more, and the body responds by storing far more fat than it should.



Some people find it difficult to make the switch from the three meals per day they are used to eating to the plan of more frequent meals with less food per meal. The American Dietetic Association, along with other nutritional experts, has suggestions of how to get started and be successful in this new eating style.



• Breakfast is essential. Eating a meal that includes complex carbohydrates, healthy fats and proteins first thing in the morning will speed up your metabolism and give you fuel for a busy day.



• You do not need to cook more often. Some people resist going to more than three meals per day, because they fear doing so will require too much time spent cooking. Relax; you can cook regular-sized meals. Simply eat half of the food and put the other half in the refrigerator to eat later. Remember, your meals should be more like snacks. You may find that this plan simplifies food preparation.



• Eat balanced meals. Resist the temptation to just eat popcorn or junk food because your meal/snack is small. You will have better results and be healthier if you eat nutritionally-balanced meals. It is important to regularly eat meals that contain lean protein, complex carbohydrates and healthy fats. Meals should be about half as large as what you ate while on a 3-meals-a-day type diet. You will simply end each day having consumed the same number of calories and nutrients, but with a different timing.



• Don’t get too hungry. Many people get crabby when they are hungry. One of the keys to this style of eating is to never get too hungry. As soon as you begin to feel hunger pangs, be sure to eat in less than an hour. An irregular eating pattern or skipping meals will adversely affect metabolism and have ill effects on your health. It will also confuse your body. If you are too hungry, you will more often overeat.



• Understand that eating frequent, smaller meals is not for everyone. For those who find it difficult to stop eating until they are stuffed, this may not be the best plan. People with emotional problems related to overeating and people with little self-discipline when it comes to portion control can find themselves eating more than they did while eating 3 times per day.



If you think this plan might be beneficial for you, why not give it a try? You have little to lose and much to gain.





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