I’m amazed at the emotions that charge the answer to the question of how many times a day we should be eating. Some people swear by six small meals, while others stress three square ones. Others argue that two daily meals, or even one, will suffice. I’ve also met folks who passionately believe that snacking ensures a successful diet, while others firmly believe that diets can fail on snacks alone.
There are studies that clearly demonstrates that frequent eating benefits weight management. Other studies, however, show that frequent eating leads to caloric excess.
First, let’s start with whether or not snacking is helpful or harmful to weight management. Undoubtedly, the answer depends almost entirely on the snacks. Research shows that a drink and a snack from a vending machine would provide 15 teaspoons of sugar and 433 calories. By those calculations, people who snack on food from a vending machine may well find their waistlines challenged.
Others snack regularly on more healthful foods such as yogurt with homemade granola or fruit with 15 to 30 grams of cheese—tend to pack a good wallop of protein in roughly 200 calories.Studies show that consuming protein throughout the day helps to stave off hunger.Three daily meals, in which 25 % of calories comes from protein, may be satiating, though this strategy requires having a larger breakfast.
So, who’s right? Should you eat six, four, or two times a day? How about eating once daily? Truthfully, there is no right answer. And yet, at the same time, we’re all right. As individuals, we’ve each found ways to control our calories and our weight within the contexts of lives we honestly enjoy. And therein lies the rub.