Have you been dealing with mid-morning hunger pangs? I have, especially since I’ve been working out early in the morning. Like many people, one of my New Year’s resolutions was to work out more. But since I’ve been doing cardio for half an hour, 4 to 5 times a week, I’ve also noticed a marked increase in my appetite.

Three Squares vs. More, Smaller Meals

Whereas before I was able to eat three meals a day and occasionally have a snack, now I feel like I need a mid-morning snack to assuage my stomach, as well as a mid-afternoon treat to stave off hunger until dinnertime.

The Past vs. the Present

Many nutritionists encourage more frequent, (healthy) smaller meals instead of the three square meals a day tradition. I would think that back in the day, when people had to walk or ride horses to get places, work on their farms, and do other menial, manual chores (think of washing clothes before washing machines) that snacks were the norm. I am sure that many who labored in the fields or near a stream had healthy treats squirreled away in their pockets so hunger didn’t distract them from the tasks at hand.

Going Forward

So, I’m taking a page from the past and the present. I’m going to make sure I eat more frequent, smaller meals. It will be interesting to see how things go this week with my new food routine. What about you? Are you going to try a new food regimen?

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What my 3-year-old loves for a mid-morning snack: organic plain fat-free yogurt with 3/4 teaspoon raspberry preserves mixed in to sweeten.

Photos by Kelly Estes