Most of us have adopted the eating habits we learned as a child. For many of us it was to eat three meals a day, together as a family as much as possible.
Not only could our parents ensure we were eating properly but it was also a time to bond with family members, discuss our day, etc.
Many modern diets, however, suggest that it is better to eat 5 to six smaller meals per day than 2 to 3 large meals. As long as one’s caloric intake stays the same, why should this matter.
Your blood sugar is constantly changing even when you sleep. When you eat food, blood sugar is raised after digestion starts. Once blood sugar is consumed, it is lowered and hunger, headache and/or irritation can occur.
Some experts believe that eating several small meals per day is better because blood sugar is stabilized and metabolism is at its most optimum. Energy levels therefore remain high so that one has more energy for say, exercise.
Recent studies, however maintain that as long as one takes in less calories per day, he or she will lose weight regardless of the amount of meals one eats. If this is true, it certainly provides for less restrictive eating patterns.
What research suggests and what most of us who’ve tried to lose weight can attest to is that when one skips meals in order to “hold out” for one or two larger meals, one usually ends up experiencing the effects of hunger which in addition to the above mentioned effects of hunger also includes cravings and loss of will power.
How many of us have tried to lose weight and then lost will power and binged or eaten “comfort” foods high in calories and low in nutritional value?
It then boils down to what helps you stick to your diet and what is the best way to ensure you don’t go over your calorie limit for the day.
Some of my clients feel that they must have at least one large meal per day. There are many reasons for this but most say it is a chance to bond with family while preparing, cooking and then eating the meal together.
There is no reason why you can’t do this as long as the meal is healthy and you aren’t over eating when you do sit down for a large meal.
If you are trying to lose weight and want a natural way to do it with proven results, I highly recommend my Weight Loss Breeze program. My clients have not only lost the weight but were able to keep it off without the typical “yo-yo” effect of many diets.
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