Contrary to the belief of most people, eating snacks does not always result in gaining weight.

A person who eats three big meals a day has a bigger chance of gaining weight than a person who consumes small amount of food frequently.

According to Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FRNI) of the Department of Science and Technology (DoST). With moderation and right food, gaining weight would not be much of a concern when a person eats snack.

Eating small snacks also reduces the heart’s load. Experts say that extra blood needs to be pumped by the heart for the stomach and intestines to digest the food properly. The bigger the meal, the more blood has the heart to pump.

FRNI stressed that there are several benefits in eating snacks or in between meals as long as they are taken moderately. The body is like a car that needs fuel to be able to function. More than four hours without eating deprives you of fuel that needs you to concentrate and function at your best, the FRNI said.

Eating small meals in form of snacks, heartburn can be avoided. Large meals are more likely to cause stomach acids to reflux in the esophagus causing heart burn.