Eat More Often to Lose Weight?

If you're like me, you were probably raised on the concept of three square meals a day. Snacking between meals was discouraged.

It's time to forget that outdated advice. One of the best things you can do to accelerate your weight loss is to eat more often.

I am not saying to eat more food, just to spread it out more through your day. Take your total food allowance for the day and divide it into five or six meals instead of three.

I also suggest forgetting the concepts of breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks as being carved in stone. Eat what you feel like that is part of your weight loss plan, at whatever time of day you like, as long as you consume the day's total food intake by the time you go to bed.

Why do this?

There are several reasons. First, by eating more often (even in smaller amounts), you will be more satisfied and less hungry throughout the day.

Second, by scheduling more meals, if you do get hungry, you can remind yourself that you have another meal scheduled in an hour or two. This will help you avoid an eating binge or going completely out of control.

Third, eating smaller meals is better for your body. You're less likely to suffer from indigestion or gas when you eat less at a time. Your body can process the food more effectively if you don't give it so much at once. This will keep your blood sugar more in check and make it less likely for food to be stored as
fat.

Fourth, this will make your weight loss plan more interesting and easier to follow, so you'll be more likely to stick with it long enough to reach your goals.

If your weight loss plan only calls for three meals a day, just divide some of the portions in half or separate some of the foods.

For example, instead of a whole sandwich, eat half of it now and half in two hours.

Instead of eating a bowl of cereal with a piece of fruit, save the fruit for later.

You don't have to make each meal exactly the same size as the others, just spread them out and keep the total daily amount of food the same.

By the way, this tip works even when you are just trying to maintain your weight, so don't think of it as just a diet trick.

You may be thinking you won't be satisfied with smaller meals. All I can say is just give it a try and you'll probably wonder how you ever got through life eating only three meals a day.

Rachel Robles is a fitness consultant and the author of "The Advanced Guide to Fast Weight Loss for Busy Women", available at http://guidetoweightlossforwomen.com