|
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
| 