Could the key to losing weight be lots of snacks?
- The idea of eating breakfast, lunch and dinner is out of date, experts claim
- People who want to stay slim are advised to eat smaller portions more often
- Comments by former GP are the latest in the long-running debate over meals
Victoria Allen Science Correspondent For The Daily Mail
14
View
comments
Forgot three square meals a day – frequent snacking is now claimed to be the best way to lose weight.
The idea of eating breakfast, lunch and dinner is out of date, according to the head of the National Obesity Forum.
Instead, people who want to stay slim are advised to eat smaller portions more often.
The idea of eating breakfast, lunch and dinner is out of date, according to the head of the National Obesity Forum
The comments by former GP Professor David Haslam are the latest in the long-running debate over whether it is better to eat ‘little and often’ or to consume three proper meals a day.
He claims healthy snacks are perfect for working people, as they find it hard to eat at regular times amid busy lives.
Professor Haslam, who is also chair of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, said: ‘The concept of three square meals per day is outdated and the same benefits can be achieved by having healthy nutritional snacks throughout the day.
-
Why it’s harder to lose weight as you get older: A doctor…
Another reason for obese children to go outside: Overweight… -
Obese mothers are more likely to give birth to children with…
‘Feeding your body little and often with vegetable-based snacks ensures your metabolic system is steadily stimulated and provides a continuous supply of nutrients to your body, which is particularly important for today’s busy lifestyles.’
The American Heart Association have warned that skipping breakfast raises the risk of obesity, heart disease and diabetes, while warning people to stick to their main meals and try not to snack between them.
Professor Mike Lean, professor of nutrition at Glasgow University, said the idea of snacking should not be encouraged.
Instead, people who want to stay slim are advised to eat smaller portions more often
He said yesterday: ‘There is very little doubt that the biggest change in people’s behaviours to generate obesity over the last 40 years has been the decline of the family meal and commercial promotion of snacking on manufactured foods.
‘Commercial snack foods are mostly high in calories, especially from fat and sugar combined. They lead to unregulated eating and over-consumption, especially if people are drinking very sweet drinks all the time.’
However Professor Haslam, who was promoting a new range of ‘healthy snacks’ when he made his comments, warned people to balance high-sugar fruit snacks with ‘plenty of fresh vegetables’.
Tam Fry, also of the National Obesity Forum, said: ‘Eating nutritious food little and often is just as good as three meals a day, and sometimes better, as sitting down for a meal often adds to overeating with people eating large portion sizes which can blow their calorie count for the day.’
The NHS says many people need a snack in between meals to maintain their energy levels, particularly if they have an active lifestyle, but recommends fruit and vegetables rather than crisps and chocolate.
Other experts differ, with a study by the Academic Medical Centre in Amsterdam finding that snacking, especially on fatty and high-sugar foods, is worse for the liver than consuming larger meals and is associated with a higher amount of abdominal fat.
Professor Haslam said: ‘A high-vegetable diet also has fibre and is low in sugar content that will keep you healthy and fuller for longer.’
He added: ‘Although traditionally less convenient to consume as a snack, vegetables contain a lower level of natural sugars so are more nutritious.’
Share or comment on this article
-
‘Mowgli girl’ who walks on all fours and does not speak… -
‘No child of God should ever suffer such horror’: US… -
Eleven-year-old boy killed himself ‘after his 13-year-old… -
Aggressive passenger is recorded telling an Uber driver… -
Father driven to kill by grief: The true story of the… -
Surgeon hailed a hero after picture shows him sleeping on… -
Police launch desperate search for schoolgirl, 15, who… -
Missing mother Samantha Baldwin, 40, is arrested for… -
Diplomacy for dinner! President Trump jokes he has… -
‘Something should happen’ says Trump after Syria… -
Teenager, 15, was found dead in his family’s garden… -
‘I want my mommy’: Pedophile FILMED girl, four, screaming… -
EXCLUSIVE: What do you mean, $5,000? Justin Bieber sticks… -
Farewell to the master of insults: Tributes pour in after… -
It’s a ‘total lie!’ says Steve Bannon following report he… -
Too middle class to be mentally ill: Mum who jumped off… -
Four stunning surfers take to the sea but can YOU tell… -
Revealed: Wife who kept a disabled woman sex slave in a…
Comments 14
Share what you think
-
Newest -
Oldest -
Best rated -
Worst rated
The comments below have not been moderated.
The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.
Close
Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual.
Your comment will be credited to your MailOnline persona.
Close
Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual
We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook.
The post will be credited to your MailOnline username. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.