There is a new movement within the diet and nutrition community that is calling for a new approach to dieting.  This group suggests that eating often should be acceptable during a diet, even encouraged because it makes maintaining a diet plan much more likely.  Eating often can help many people avoid the feeling of incessant hunger that can sabotage a diet.  The key to this approach is to eat small portions of healthy and nutritious foods.

MSNBC Health recently reported :

“The mantra of the successful dieter should be “Eat early and often” (specifically, in 100- to 200-calorie increments rich in protein and fiber). Frequent snacks are, in fact, a key to weight loss, “because if you become ravenous, you’re compulsive, you make bad food choices, and you give in to cravings,” says Stephen Gullo, a New York City health psychologist and author of “The Thin Commandments Diet” (Rodale). While there’s no schedule that works for everyone, 100 or so calories every three to four hours should eliminate stomach rumbling. New York City nutritionist Lauren Slayton, founder of food trainers.net, likes high-fiber Gnu bars and dried-fruit-based Larabars, and cautions that whatever you choose should have fewer than 200 calories. “A lot of those nutrition bars are made for bodybuilders,” she says, “not for women sitting at their desks.””

If you find yourself often cheating on diets and sneaking snacks because of hunger this strategy may be for you.  It is important to remember that the small snacks you have throughout the day should be small and healthy.  By eating more often throughout the day you should not be eating more overall, just on a different schedule.