What's the difference between snacking and eating 6 meals a day?!


Question: The NEW thing is to eat six smaller meals a day, as opposed to three (breakfast, lunch, dinner). How is that any different than snacking? And why, all of a sudden, is this the thing to do, what is going to happen to the names "breakfast, lunch, and dinner", and what are we gonna call the other three meals?

Answers: The NEW thing is to eat six smaller meals a day, as opposed to three (breakfast, lunch, dinner). How is that any different than snacking? And why, all of a sudden, is this the thing to do, what is going to happen to the names "breakfast, lunch, and dinner", and what are we gonna call the other three meals?
When people talk about eating six times a day, you can use the terms "meal" or "snack" interchangeably. The idea isn't to eat more food during the day -- it's aimed at keeping your food intake more constant throughout the day. That's why they say eat six SMALL meals or snacks during the day.

Why is this a good thing to do? Simple: Your body is very good at converting the food you eat into the energy you need. One problem though: If you eat too much at once, your body stores the extra calories it doesn't need right away as fat. That's why it's not a good idea to eat big at any meal or snack time (once in a while is OK, but you shouldn't make a habit of eating big meals). Conversely, if you go too long between one meal or snack and the next, your metabolism slows down a bit. Not much, but enough that your body burns fewer calories. By contrast, eating small meals or snacks more often during the day keeps your metabolism running higher because you have to expend energy to digest your food.

WARNING: Eating six small meals or snacks per day that consist primarily of fast food, junk food, soft drinks, or any of that other bad-for-you stuff isn't good either. If you're looking to get lean or stay lean, you have to eat a well-balanced diet that is made up almost entirely of good sources of protein (eggs, lean meats, fish, poultry, nuts, lowfat dairy products), carbs (whole grain products and fresh fruits/vegetables), and heart-healthy mono-and-polyunsaturated fat (avocadoes, eggs, fish, fish oil, flax seed, flax seed oil, nuts, and olive oil).
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    There is no difference.I think that we should stick with the three meals.
    i eat 3 meals a day. and a snack 2 times a day.
    Call them whatever you want, the semantics aren't what's important.
    thats new to me ....
    snacking is taking in of light food but usually for the three meals,we take in more amount of and generally nutrisious food you see......
    uh its acually portion eating and most of the six are like yougurt and fruit or a bagel so ya healthy snacking
    The difference will be over eating. Its good to snack during the day, but do it with caution. There will always be breakfast, lunch, and dinner, just the way it is.
    Breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, supper, midnight snack... just a thought.
    It's not a new thing. Men should eat small meals every 2 hours and women every 3 to 4 hours. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner should still be a right sized portioned meal but the things you eat between can be snacks. For example an apple or yogurt. I am sure you eat snacks between your meals so it's basically doing the same thing you have always done. It helps build your metabolism.
    One is small meals (Include 4 basic food groups) but in small portions vs. Snacking which is only 1 food group and can vary in portions and food groups..It depends on the individual and the cravings.
    the 3 squares are very midWest farming lingo from the 20th century when people needed to eat large meals because their work was active. we live a more sedentary life now and need to consume smaller meals more frequently. change your way of thinking and it's easy to accomplish.
    6 small meals a day is ideal. However, for many people this is not practical. As a diabetic it is recommended as follows;
    Eat something suitable every 4 - 6 hours and a snack (such as a piece of fruit) 2 -3 hours after a meal. As a guideline only....breakfast + snack + lunch + snack + dinner + snack. This keeps blood sugars from getting out of control.

    Eat small and often.
    I think this is a distinction without a difference, whatever that really means. You still eat the normal three meals, but it is less food and fewer calories. It is still important to eat a good, protein based breakfast to maintain your blood sugar and energy. Then a couple hours later, have a fruit snack or yogurt, then eat a light lunch (whole wheat turkey, tuna sandwich with lettuce and tomatoes), middle of the afternoon have another snack--nuts, carrots, apples--then have a lighter dinner--a little whole grain rice, a vegetable or two, and a grilled piece of chicken or fish or occasionally a burger or steak or roast or pork chop. Then a little later, more fruit, veggies (carrots), nuts popcorn. Drink a lot of water not a lot of sugared drinks. Look up Bob Greene ( hope that's the way to spell his name) on the web to get some nutrition and menu ideas. Easier said then done. I think the idea is that we eat and spread out calorie use throughout the day so the food we eat is used as we go along and to help maintain our blood sugar and energy throughout the day. I used to starve all day and eat a big dinner with a lot of meat--bad idea.


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