A Skinnier You: the Trick to Eating 5 Smaller, Healthier Meals
Julia DuBois
| 3 min read
Everyone who knows me always comments on how I am constantly eating, and yet I never seem to gain weight. I’ve had plenty of people ask me what my secret is: is it a diet, a workout, some new miracle fat suppressor? No, it’s none of these. In fact, when people hear my method they are a little surprised, because it’s advice that they have been hearing for a long time.
The trick is eating five smaller, healthier meals instead of the usual three.
I bet you’re not super shocked by this piece of wisdom, since this mantra has been floating around the health world for some time now, but many people fail to reap its benefits. For me, eating smaller meals but more often comes naturally, so when dietitians and health experts began recommending this same method to others, it made perfect sense to me.
Eating smaller portions more often can do wonders for your body: It helps speed up your metabolism over time, and a fast metabolism equals more calories burned. It also provides you with a steady supply of fuel throughout the day, so you never experience the infamous “2:30 feeling.” If you plan well, it can even lead to healthier eating habits!
Let’s be realistic, though — very few people have the time in their day to plan five healthy, well-rounded meals. I get this. As a college student, I’m lucky if I have enough time during the day to remember to water my plants, let alone plan gourmet meals.
Here’s my solution: start with simple snacks, things that don’t involve serious planning or much time.
Begin by introducing a light, healthy snack in between your three core meals to help your body adjust to eating more often.
Here are some snacks that won’t take up much time:
- Fruits (bananas, apples, and oranges are all very simple to pack and eat)
- Yogurt (grab and go, need I say more?)
- Rice cakes(filling and hassle free)
- Veggie sticks (a little time here for cutting, but most stores sell presliced vegetables)
- Cheese and crackers (a personal favorite of mine)
Who knows, you may eventually end up like me and find yourself getting hungry right around snack time, as your body becomes more efficient at burning through calories. Don’t be afraid of this hunger — it’s not bad, according to registered dietitian, Grace Derocha, but is actually a sign that the system is working. “Feeling hunger shortly after eating isn’t bad, it means your metabolism is burning calories more efficiently,” she said.
Incorporating these simple snacks will help your body get used to eating more often, and will make you less hungry at your three core meals, eventually leading you to eat less, eat healthier and hopefully lose weight!
Have you found ways to incorporate more but smaller meals? Share your tips in the comments section below.
Photo credit: dietriffic
