Thursday, April 16, 2015

What's best between eating 3 Big Meals or Several Smaller Meals throughout the Day?

Diet question of the Year...  Is it more healthy and more apt to increase our metabolism (i.e., easier to lose weight) by eating several smaller meals throughout the day rather than three big ones?  Lately, we've heard lots more advocacy for the "grazing" strategy for our daily food consumption if we wanted to keep the weight off and increase our energy levels. I mean, have you've ever seen a fat deer?  Of course, we've all seen plenty of fat cows, and they they graze throughout the day, right?

Well... the verdict is in - at least for now - from the nutrition and fitness experts at Men's Health. Here's what they found. Wait for it....  there's no difference at all.  Really???  Yep, really!  As long as the daily caloric intake and nutritional value is the same, their study found no discernible difference between grazing and the conventional 3-meals a day diet. With that said, other studies have shown that smaller, nutritious meals throughout the day can have a positive affect on maintaining more consistent energy and concentration levels throughout the day,  as opposed to 3 Big meals, and feeling bloated and sleepy after each one.  Of course, we don't always have to eat like every meal was Thanksgiving Dinner.


So, Men's Health's finding was actually a positive one, because it supports whichever way we personally feel more comfortably eating throughout the day.  As long as we are consistent, and eat healthily, staying away from processed foods, sugary foods, GMOs, high fats, etc., and keep it natural with lots of veggies and fruit, then our health outlook will remain positively affected.

Here's to your Health!


Lubbock Sports Medicine

Dr. Kevin Crawford, MD
4110 22nd Place Lubbock, TX 79409
(806) 792-4329