How many times a day should you eat? Three or six? There are many opinions on this issue. A dietitian shares insights on why it's so important to eat every 4 hours and which foods are best to choose for snacks.
How often should you eat throughout the day?
There is no universal answer to this question — it all depends on health conditions. For example, in cases of gastritis and obesity, fractional nutrition is recommended. In the first case, it helps avoid so-called hunger secretion, while in the second, it contributes to reducing stomach volume.
However, there are also people who are better off eating 3-4 times a day. This includes those for whom too frequent meals can cause insulin resistance, which, in turn, leads to weight gain. Therefore, it is important to consult a doctor to determine an individual eating regimen, as noted by medikforum.
Nevertheless, for most people, fractional nutrition turns out to be more beneficial — for metabolism, gastrointestinal function, and weight management.
What should you choose for snacks between main meals?
The main mistake of those who snack frequently is that they choose simple carbohydrates — buns, candies, bars.
“A great option would be a container with homemade food, which includes a vegetable salad and a piece of boiled or baked meat with garlic and spices. If this is not possible, stop by a store on your way to work and buy low-fat yogurt or cheese with no more than 20% fat — this is a good source of calcium. Nuts, dried fruits, or fresh unsweetened fruits are also suitable,” says Alla Pogozheva, leading researcher at the Federal Research Center for Nutrition, Biotechnology, and Food Safety.
