There is no question that as far as human beings are concerned, you are what you eat, but you also are how you eat. Dietary habits play a large role in determines one�s physical well-being (development and growth) and affects reproduction, performance, morbidity (susceptibility to illnesses) and mortality.
The food we eat and the nutrients they provide us with are the source of the energy that we need to go about our daily activities, forming and maintaining the body�s structures y and regulating its metabolic processes. Its relevance as health factor is therefore beyond argument, The important thing is to give careful consideration to the quantity and quality of what the body really needs to be taking in as food,

By the same token, physiological factors of various kinds also play apart in the process. These might include one�s digestive capacity, general life style, how frequently one has food readily available, and even the emotional and physiological factors that help determine our eating habits.

But what is to be done if to all the above factors, we add an unstoppable urge to eat between meals? Experts and nutritionist all swear by the established pattern of three square meals a day, breakfast, lunch and dinner, but they are far from unanimous when it comes to after-hours snacking. -- that is if it is kept within reasonable limits and includes healthy foods, For example, there may be very sound reasons for encouraging athletes and the elderly to eat five or six times a day.

But should we be tempted to go for a bit of a pick me up in the middle of the morning or in the afternoon, we can�t help but be assailed by all manners of doubts as to whether this is going to wreck our diet. The answer seems to be. As long as you watch what you�re doing and don�t go overboard, there�s no reason why it should be bad for your health.

Does eating between meals alter the digestive process, make you put on weight? What should you eat if you simply have to have something outside regular mealtimes These question have attracted a good Della of lively debate by nutritionists, and the answer seems to be it�s probably okay as long as you leave as much of an interval as possible between snacks, and that you eat the right foods when you do.

As for putting on weight, the official verdict is that eating between meals need not and should not imply eating greater quantities of food. It should be rather a question of spreading total calorie intake over a larger number of occasions. That said if you�re eating more as well as eating more often,. It�s more than likely that you will put on that w eight.

They add that you should make sure to control the amounts you�re going to eat so that they don�t spoil your appetite for when mealtime comes round. And go easy on the carbohydrates and fats and to keep track of the quantities begin consumed,

Remember too, that a snack should be an extra and not a substitute for a regular meal. That's why they recommend healthy snacking such a yoghurt with fruit, vegetable pasties, a slice of toast with low-fat cheese, dried fruit and orange or pineapple juice. Abstain, please, from soft drinks and saturated fats (mass produced baked goods, snack foods,, etc.) since all you�ll get from them is a lot of useless calories and digestive upsets: