The biggest result of eating small frequent meals is that it helps to regulate and stabilize your blood sugar levels. Keeping to a grazing eating style helps to lower the body’s insulin levels and boost your metabolism. Eating three big meals a day can send your blood sugar levels on a rollercoaster ride. This can lead to unwanted weight gain and the symptoms that arise when blood sugar levels run rampant.
When your body’s blood sugar levels are stable, it results in your energy levels increasing and is more a result of a balanced diet. You will feel less cravings for foods that are high in sugar, sodium, and fats (we can all use a few less Oreo cravings). One study in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics showed that people who had a diet consisting of small, frequent meals, consumed fewer calories, and had lower BMIs.
Perhaps the most underappreciated benefit of eating small frequent meals is that it has the ability to increase your levels of happiness. Drop in your blood sugar levels can cause your body to release hormones that regulate stress, such as cortisol and epinephrine.
This drop in blood sugar is heavily influenced by going without eating for long periods of time. The better you are able to regulate these hormones, the more energized you will feel over time. And, when you eat frequently, you are able to ensure that your brain has access to a steady supply of glucose which will improve your mental sharpness, productivity, and fortitude.
When you eat smaller meals, it is also easier to eat healthily. There are some serious nutrient dense foods that are perfect for small meals, like nuts, beans, salads, etc.
