There are many people today who are happy to declare that they skip at least one meal a day and in most cases it is breakfast. However, they more than make up for it in the evenings.
It is important that we eat moderately and at appropriate intervals. It's good health practice to eat three balanced meals each day with no in-between snacks and at intervals of about 4-5 hours between. For a healthy body, breakfast is always the most important meal of the day. It's amazing that most people choose to skimp or skip it altogether. Breakfast should be the biggest of all since we're breaking the fast that we've been on throughout the night. The body can certainly utilize the energy and calories better at this time.
Studies have shown that people who skip breakfast are less efficient in the mornings. The reason many people skip breakfast is due to the fact that they go to bed with a full stomach. Since they are inactive at this time, the body simply stores all of these calories. This is why breakfast skippers tend to gain more weight. They simply eat more at night. People who skip breakfast and have no eating schedule tend to suffer more from gas or acid stomach, which can eventually lead to a stomach ulcer. The meal that most people can skimp or skip without causing a physical problem, is the last meal. There is a saying that we should eat like a king in the mornings, like a queen during the day and like a pauper at nights. Many of us will live healthier and happier if we heed this wise counsel.
Eating between meals is a habit that almost everyone feels comfortable with. Some people eat one continuous meal all day long. Eating between meals or snacking as some people call it, is the worst habit anyone who is trying to lose weight could adapt. It is not a good habit to eat one continuous meal all day no matter how low the calories may be. For most adults, eating three or sometimes two balanced meals a day is the best for good health. Eating in between meals encourage one to over eat.
Physiologically eating between meals is not a good practice. It has been found that people who eat between meals delay the emptying time of the normal stomach, Through the use of x-ray it was found that the stomach usually empties itself in 2 1/2 to 4 hours. In one study a series of tests were
run in persons who were given routine breakfasts of cereal, cream, bread, cooked fruit, and an egg. Their stomachs were x-rayed and found to be emptied in less than 41/2 hours. A few days later these same people were given the same type of breakfast, but two hours later one snacked on ice cream. He was found to have residue in the stomach after six hours. Another who had snacked on a peanut butter sandwich had residue in the stomach after nine hours. It was found that even a little peanut nibbling between meals delays digestion to the extent that eleven hours after breakfast there was still a large residue left in the stomach.
The stomach needs rest so don't overwork it, allow it to rest and it will serve you well. Continue to be smart and eat no more than three balanced, but low calorie meals a day if you are trying to lose weight. You will manage your weight better and your stomach will be happier. Don't forget to add exercise to your program. If you need help with weight management, see your dietitian today!
Words of Wisdom for a healthier you from your Dietitian:
Idamae Hanna M.P.H.,R.D.
