Snacking and weight management

Eating little and often may help to maintain a healthy weight.

Some people find eating little and often suits them better than going for long periods of time without any food which may impair their ability to concentrate and could possibly lead to overeating at meal times.

Research has shown that individuals who habitually consume snacks compensate for the additional energy obtained from these snacks and therefore were less likely to gain weight. (Rowett, 2004, citied in Snackfacts, 2005). Clearly, if snacks are providing additional energy in the diet then this, overtime, might encourage weight gain unless it is compensated for by increases in physical activity.