Eating less often helps diabetics lose weight and control their blood sugar

Have you been told to eat several small meals per day in order to lose weight and control your blood sugar? The opposite may work much better for you.

Researchers in Prague fed two groups of 27 people food that contained the same quantity of calories but was either spread over 2 meals or 6 meals. The people who ate 2 meals a day lost more weight than those who ate 6, and their blood sugar dropped. They concluded that diabetics may be better off eating fewer large meals instead of several small meals.

I agree with the recommendations in this study.

Humans are not designed to eat all day. Digesting food takes up a lot of energy and can leave you feeling drained and lethargic. It can also worsen digestive problems like irritable bowel syndrome.

If you’re a diabetic and you’re overweight, eating frequently can leave you with chronically elevated blood sugar and insulin levels. Eating less often results in lower blood insulin levels. This is great because it forces you to mobilize your fat stores and use them for energy.

I recommend most people eat 3 meals per day. It is fine to snack occasionally, if you’re feeling particularly hungry that day. It’s best not to make it a habit though.

If you have poorly controlled diabetes or hypoglycaemia, please consult your doctor before changing your eating plan.

Reference