When trying to lose weight, dieters will often try and cut out meals during the day thinking that this will reduce their calorie intake and increase weight loss. While this may have a short-term effect, you are effectively starving the body and it will simply learn that when you start eating it needs to store the food in case it gets starved again. Regular, healthy meals are a much more effective way to lose weight than a drastic reduction in food.

Ideally you should eat at regular times throughout the day and eat only when your body needs it. If you are constantly snacking throughout the day you will get into a pattern of overeating and your body will think it is always hungry.

By not eating at regular times throughout the day you will have a feeling of being famished which is more likely to cause you to eat more than you actually need.

How To Eat Sensibly

• Try to eat breakfast within one hour of getting up as this will give you energy for the day. You do not need to have a huge breakfast, just enough to make sure you are not hungry, and balanced enough to give you the energy you need.
• Have a sensible lunch and dinner and try to avoid snacking throughout the day. Snacks that are available to buy are usually high in sugar and calories and less filling than they appear.
• If you have to snack throughout the day, try snacking on vegetables such as carrots. These can be prepared beforehand if you have to go to work, and will help you avoid buying any junk food, while providing you with nutrients.
• While it is good to treat yourself now and again, be careful not to ruin an entire week of dieting by eating anything you want at a party for example. If you want to eat the party food, do so in small quantities.
• The key to consistent weight loss is regular, sensible and healthy meals throughout the day. You may find that you do not experience a dramatic amount of weight loss in that time, but the weight that you do lose, will not come back when you find you don´t have the motivation to continue your drastic diet.
• If you keep your body fed regularly, you will not get those hunger pangs will so often lead to impulsive eating and are when you are most likely to reach for the nearest food available. Often this will be sugary snacks or junk food which are the last thing you want to be eating.

If you find it hard to stick to regular meal times due to work commitments for example, always be prepared and have something with you that you can eat at the appointed time. Whether that is a sandwich, snacks or protein drinks. Always be prepared and that way you can maintain your eating schedule and continue to lose weight.