Everyday Systems

My recent observation in support of the noS philosophy:

Medical advice for people who are loosing too much weight (e.g. during chemotherapy) is to try to eat frequent, small meals. The reason for that is that it is easier to consume more calories per day if it is spread into smaller portions.

I find it really interesting in connection to noS:
While it remains controversial whether eating five small meals as opposed to three larger meals has an effect on the metabolic rate, for majority of people the problem is simply excess of calories (or as in the above case: insufficient amount of calories). So if eating frequent, small meals is a good strategy to consume more calories and hence gain weight, eating three meals should make it easier to consume less calories and hence loose weight, right?

I think the reasoning might be different for people undergoing chemo -- or who have any condition where the appetite is diminished. Staring at a big plate of food tends to decrease the appetite more; smaller plates of food served more frequently tend not to diminish the appetite.

I agree that there is a phycological factor to it as well and small portions might look less intimidating. For a similar reason people who feel really nauseous are encouraged to have someone cook for them, to avoid looking at food too much. Though to me that's another side of the story -
you can eat more than your appetite would call for (whether diminished or not), the less you focus on food (e.g. snacking in front of a TV or on barbeque food for a non-medical alternative).

Actually, my 87 year old mother got the same advice from her doctor. She's lost some weight over the last year and we were concerned. When any underlying physical problems were ruled out, his weight-gain advice was to eat more often. It didn't occur to me at the time that that advice fits in with NoS philosophy.

I'll take it as a backhanded compliment/support for no-s

Reinhard