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Snacking in nutrition and health
Franca Marangoni1, Daniela Martini1,2, Silvia Scaglioni3
1Nutrition Foundation of Italy , Milan , Italy.
International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition
|April 11, 2019
Summary
Distributing energy and nutrient intake across 4-5 eating occasions daily, including 1-2 healthy snacks, benefits overall health. Optimal snack composition and timing are crucial for health across the human lifespan.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Human Health
- Dietary Habits
Background:
- Current dietary patterns often focus on three main meals.
- This can lead to digestive and metabolic overload.
- Snacking is a common dietary behavior across the lifespan.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the scientific literature on meal frequency and health.
- To highlight the benefits of appropriate snack consumption.
- To provide expert recommendations on optimal snacking patterns.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review.
- Synthesis of research from multiple scientific fields.
- Expert consensus on dietary guidelines.
Main Results:
- Distributing energy and nutrient intake across 4-5 eating occasions is associated with favorable health outcomes.
- Incorporating 1-2 snacks can help meet nutrient and food group recommendations.
- Snack composition and timing should be individualized based on the whole day's diet.
Conclusions:
- Optimizing meal frequency through strategic snacking can positively impact health.
- Snacking patterns require consideration of age and specific population needs.
- Evidence supports the beneficial role of well-planned snacking in a healthy diet across the lifespan.
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