Skipping meals can lead to out-of-control hunger, often resulting in overeating. When you’re very hungry, it’s also tempting to forget about good nutrition. Snacking between meals can help curb hunger, but don’t eat so much that your snack becomes an entire meal. You’ve all heard of starvation mode. We are so wonderfully made, that if we go without food for extended periods of time, our metabolism slows down and we begin to “hold on” to our fat to maintain survival. So, it’s really important to keep the metabolism, glucose and insulin levels UP and steady by eating throughout the day.

The effect of 6 mini meals a day | photo credit Better Life Clinic

What I’ve found to be most helpful is to plan plan plan!!! Know ahead of time what you’re going to eat for the entire day and stick to it! I have 3 snacks that are my “go-to” snacks and I don’t even think about it. Its almost automatic after about 4 weeks or so. If I’m leaving home, I pick up an apple, a banana, and a Fiber One 90 calorie brownie. (Ok these little morsels of yummy sweet goodness are EVERYTHING!!! PLEASE TRY ONE TODAY!)  Those are THREE of my meals already tucked away in my purse (or diaper bag ) For the other three, depending on my destinations, I know the menus ahead of time and what is in line with my lifestyle eating plan. And when in doubt, I pack my lunch the night before. You know I WILL NOT USE THE WORD DIET!!!

My go-to snacks

I’m lighter because of my gallon of water a day, my 6 mini meals and sticking to my 1200 cal/day. For the sake of transparency and in all fairness, I have not worked out like I have wanted to. Nor have I met my goal of 30 minutes of cardio for 4 days a week. Its been more 30 minute workouts 2 days a week. I will get there! But just wanted to share the tip. Have fun and thanks for coming with me on my journey. If you are on a journey to better health and living better, then share a comment, I’d love to exchange encouragement and kind words!

Keeping it Smart & Sassy (KISS),