What is the nutritional value of eating several small meals per day as opposed to fewer large meals?

Question

Am specifically interested in weight loss vs.gain as well a how it may impact metabolism and blood sugar levels.

Answer 1

A large meal leads to a large glucose load. The large glucose load leads to a high spike in insulin levels to adjust your body's blood sugar to a normal. Smaller meals, smaller glucose loads, less changes in blood sugar levels. Also by having few large meals, the body goes into a "fast" of sorts in between the meals where metabolism slows downs to preserve the energy that it has. Small, healthy meals allow that body to maintain a higher metabolism over a longer period of time.

Answer 2

it all depends on what your calories consist of. Lots of people suggest several small meals over 3 big ones. THey says this boosts metablism - kind of like throwing coal on a fire every few hours to keep the train going. Your blood sugar will be affected by what kinds of food you are eating-no matter how ofter. It's best to eat carbs that take a long time to break down as opposed to those that spike the bloodsugar. How the body reacts also depends on the person. I have some insulin resistance so I have to cut out sugar a bit more than the average bear.

Answer 3

Several small meals help keep the blood sugar levels more even. If you eat a few large meals, there is a lot of fluctuation in your blood sugar. Eating small meals helps the body burn food more efficently.

Answer 4

Several smaller meals keeps the blood sugar on a more even level thus reducing hunger for easier weight loss. You do need fuel to burn the fat and smaller meals keeps your metabolism up also.