By Dr. Kay-Tee-Khaw
There have been a number of small, experimental studies over the years showing that more frequent meals resulted in lower serum lipids. An analysis of nearly 7,000 men and women aged 45-75 years in England looked at how frequently they ate and measured concentrations of fasting blood lipids. Frequency of eating included meals and snacks.
Even though those who ate only once or twice a day reported eating less total energy, fat, protein, and carbohydrate, they had higher total serum cholesterol levels.
Although this was a relatively large study, there were only 353 people who ate once or twice a day, while there were 625 who claimed to eat 6 or more times daily. Those who ate more often were thinner, more physically active, smoked less, and drank less alcohol.
Even though the authors propose that eating more often was not a marker of a healthy lifestyle, their data support the view that eating once or twice daily is characteristic of those with an unhealthy lifestyle.
British Medical Journal December 1, 2001;323:1286
It is quite clear that consuming less calories is consistent with living longer.
However, many people use this fact to justify skipping meals.
Not a good choice.
This will sabotage you as you generally wind up eating more calories at your next meal. But, more importantly, you will cause a major disruption in your insulin levels and high insulin levels are one of the major contributors to poor health.
Many diabetics know this. Their blood sugar will be well controlled when they are eating multiple small meals, but as soon as they start skipping meals their blood sugar rises, even though they have not eaten any food.
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