7 Common Mistakes When Trying to Lose Weight

7. Eating too often, even if you’re not hungry

For many years, the conventional advice has been to eat every few hours to prevent hunger and a drop in metabolism.

However, this may lead to consuming more calories than your body needs over the course of the day. You may also never completely feel full.

One research review found that eating just two to three meals per day may have outcomes including reduced inflammation and a lower risk of weight gain .

The recommendation to eat breakfast every morning, regardless of appetite, also appears to be misguided .

One study asked women who didn’t usually eat breakfast to add in the meal before 8:30 a.m. for 4 weeks. It found that those who ate breakfast consumed more calories each day and gained weight by the end of the study .

Eating only when you’re hungry seems to be key to losing weight.