Another strategy, combined with staying physically active, that has worked for me is to eat every few hours. However, meal frequency has been the subject of debate for many years. What works for one person may not work for another. Try eating reasonable portions of healthy foods every three hours. The benefits or pros of this strategy according to some include:

• Steady blood sugar levels
• Less hunger
• Better concentration/mood
• Increased metabolism
• Maintenance of muscle mass

The challenges or cons to eating more often according to some include:

• Eating breakfast every day
• Planning meals
• Bringing snacks to work

Jorge Cruise, a fitness expert, has even developed “The 3-Hour Diet” with the claim that one could drop 10 pounds in the first two weeks of the diet. On his diet there are no bad foods, only bad portion sizes.

I eat three meals each day along with two snacks that are smaller in portions than my meals.  I always eat breakfast and avoid eating three hours before bedtime.

I do not follow special diets with strict rules, but portion control of healthy foods eaten every few hours is a strategy that works for me. I have been out and about with family members or friends and some of us need to eat something every few hours and others could go for hours and not need to eat anything. Find the Real Food strategies that help you to maintain a healthy weight.