Insights \ Health Hits

For years, nutritionists and weight-loss experts have been trumpeting diets that use frequent, smaller meals instead of three squares a day. Their logic: Eating frequently keeps our metabolism moving and can cut down on hunger and overeating.

But that logic just doesn't hold up in studies. Eating more, smaller meals during the day won't help you lose weight or feel fuller.

It's okay to eat more frequent meals, but if you want to lose weight, those meals will have to have fewer calories than the three main meals you used to eat--and fewer calories than you burn.

Skipping meals--at least breakfast--won't help you lose weight either. Plenty of studies have shown that missing your morning meal can lead to overeating and weight gain.