There is a lot of literature and discussion recently highlighting the benefits of snacking on smaller meals four to five times throughout the day. In theory this is a great idea, however it takes a lot of will power and planning. In reality, few of us can successfully pull this off. Eating four or five snacks during the day most often results in gradually increasing those small snacks into larger meals. Often this focus on snacking during the day at a time that’s convenient for us results in the consumption of processed, unhealthy foods.

A healthier alternative is to practice the traditional idea of mealtime. Eating a formal meal at a set time with friends or family makes us more conscious of what we eat. The social aspect of sitting down to a formal meal with others helps us to more effectively deal with portion control, since we’re more likely to exhibit moderation in the presence of others. Planning and preparing the meal (when possible) helps to ensure we are consuming more balanced and nutritious types of foods.

So put down that breakfast bar, stop eating lunch at your desk, eliminate the habit of getting your dinner from a drive through window, and bring the traditional notion of a meal back into your life.