3 Large Meals a Day Healthier Than Many Small Meals

Eating three large meals per day might be the healthiest choice for people struggling with their weight, according to a study conducted by researchers from the University of Missouri and published in the journal Obesity.

One of the more ridiculous dietary fads of recent years is eating 5-6 small meals a day instead of the traditional three. David Gutierrez explains why eating the way your ancestors ate is better than following a dietary system invented by the manufacturers of protein shakes and bars.

With obesity rates having doubled worldwide since 1980 and still on the rise, health researchers are continually searching for ways to help people keep or regain healthier weights. Obesity is strongly linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, Type II diabetes, various types of cancer, and early death, and has also been implicated in an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. More than one-third of all people in the United States are now classified as obese.

Yet, much popular dietary advice - even that promoted by health professionals - has not necessarily been scientifically tested for accuracy, or for its applicability to people who are already obese.

"The mass media and many health care practitioners often advocate eating several small meals throughout the day," lead author Tim Heden said. "However, when we examined the literature, we didn't find many studies examining or supporting this popular claim. This lack of research led to our study, which is one of the first to examine how meal frequency affects insulin and blood-fat levels in obese women during an entire day of eating." Read more