The human body needs food to run efficiently, just like a car must be filled with gas in order to work. While it’s ok to fill your car’s tank whenever it is running on empty, the same principle certainly does not apply to humans. Instead, frequent meals scheduled throughout the day are the staples of a healthy and productive life style.

Eliminate cravings

Keeping your blood sugar stable by eating every two hours eliminates cravings and the notorious “I’m-ready-to-eat-anything-that-comes-in-sight” hunger pangs. Naturally, the quality of food should outweigh the quantity. In other words, opting for small portions of low calorie and low fat dishes provides the body with much needed energy without causing a sniper attack on the digestive system. As a result, you will be able to make better choices and feel better throughout the day.

Increase your productivity

No matter if you utilize your physical or mental capacities more at work, you will without a doubt function better with a relatively steady supply of energy from food. Moreover, eating frequently also prevents negative side effects like headaches, mood swings and dizziness from fluctuating blood sugar levels due to infrequent meals.

Burn more calories

Eating frequently actually helps the human body burn more calories since it keeps the metabolism running in high gear. People who only eat one big meal a day tend to gain weight more easily since their bodies interpret the long periods of time between meals as starvation. As such, the metabolism slows down and every calorie consumed goes straight into fat cells to prepare for the next “famine.”

Reduce stomach size

Let’s face it, stomach size rules appetite. As flexible organ the stomach adjusts to a person’s eating habits. Needless to say, eating several small meals or snacks throughout the day will keep your stomach from growing into an insatiable monster in your belly that makes you consume ridiculous amounts of food while leaving you completely unsatisfied. On the other side of the coin, you can tame this monster into a small lap dog so to speak, by feeding it small portions. It goes without saying that meal and snack choices should consist of healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, salads, meats and low-fat dairy products. Avoid sugary drinks and foods, as well as fast food and over-processed products. The total amount of calories consumed per day should be based on the individual’s fitness and weight loss goals.