It baffles me that in this day and age with the wealth of health information that many folks still overlook the value of eating little and often.

Traditionally in society, it’s the norm to eat 3 big meals a day i.e. breakfast, lunch and dinner.

In my experience eating this way can hamper your ability to reduce body fat. I’m much more a fan of the grazing approach, healthy of course!

And here’s why …

Stabilises Blood Sugar

If you stick to the traditional 3 meals a day format, the chances are you’re going to snack between meals and mostly in an unhealthy way right?!

People generally snack on confectionery, bread or something sweet to give them that quick energy hit. So it isn’t difficult to see why people struggle to shed the spare tyre.

I encourage my clients to eat more frequently as this alleviates the desire to snack unhealthily because they know a nutritious meal is just around the corner.

There’s no set rules as to how many hours to eat within. But as a guideline, aim for every 3–4 hours. The golden rule is don’t leave it too long. The last thing you want is an energy slump and to get the shakes. We’ve all done this, myself included i.e. let our blood sugar get so low that our inner cookie monster appears and craves a quick fix from sugary food.

Provides Structure

By nature, I think humans work best with a little structure and routine in life. Having a meal plan with several pit stops throughout the day does exactly that.

I’ve found my clients are less prone to deviating from their plan because they’ve a routine. They enjoy it, and it gives them a sense of achievement.

Increases Metabolism

There is an ongoing debate as to whether overall calorie consumption or meal frequency governs or influences metabolic rate.

Some studies suggest that through a process known as peristalsis which is the flexing of muscles at the beginning of the digestive tract that the amount of calories used throughout the day can increase by 10%.

From my personal experience and those of my clients, I’ve found that regular eating patterns have elevated my metabolism and theirs!

Increases Energy

This point ties in with point one above on stabilising blood sugar.

We all know that to feel energised and get the most from our training that we need to keep our body fuelled.

Eating little and often does exactly this! It helps avoid those dips in blood sugar which causes our energy to nose dive.

More Enjoyment

A lot of people especially women struggle to eat meals in the conventional sense. It’s a bit of a chore, and too much in one seating.

By eating smaller portions more often, you can break this feeling and make life easier and more enjoyable.

More Variety

This might not seem an obvious reason to eat little and often but it’s one I love to use. If you’re eating 6 times a day as opposed to 3, that means you’ve the potential to enjoy much more variety in your food choices and get a wider range of nutrients in the process.

I find clients enjoy their diet more because they can eat a wider selection of foods and who doesn’t like to try different foods right?

Eating on a frequent basis is something I’ve always done. I’m yet to meet anyone who has made this switch and regretted it. The positive health results speak for themselves.

If you or someone else you know needs a little one-to-one B-Fit TLC on what to eat and how to exercise let’s chat. I’m here to help. Text or call me now on 07748298728.

Much love Gaynor x

P.S. Forgot to mention Pea Protein Plus. It’s perfect for balancing blood sugar levels first thing in the morning and after your workout. It’s a plant-based, super food drink packed with nutrients and of course protein but without any of the artificial nasties. Give it a try and let me know how you get on.