Sample-6

If you're still living under the misguided impression that eating three square meals a day is healthy, you're really not to blame. This eating regimen was practically law for generations past, which is why it is so hard to break from this very conditioned pattern. However, it is now well known that eating three, large meals per day can contribute to weight gain, for eating too much food at once shifts the body into digestion and sedation. What's more, not eating for extended periods of time causes your metabolism to slow.

Try eating a combination meals and healthy snacks throughout the day. Ideally, you should be eating six separate times of each day. Here's a sample-6, sourced from Dr. Elson M. Haas' website www.elsonhaas.com

BREAKFAST: Oatmeal or cream of rice with sunflower seeds and fruit, such as an apple or banana

MID-MORNING SNACK: A handful of almonds and an orange, or a six to eight-ounce, low-sugar fruit smoothie

LUNCH: Four to six ounces of salad greens, chopped carrot, celery and/or cucumber, one or two hard-boiled eggs or a piece of skinless chicken breast topped with olive oil and lemon juice or vinaigrette

MID-AFTERNOON SNACK: Celery, jicama and/or carrot sticks with hummus and sliced avocado

DINNER: Salmon, Swiss chard and green beans, plus one cup of brown rice

EVENING SNACK: A slice of toast with a tablespoon of peanut or almond butter, topped with a sliced apple or date