Is it really necessary to eat 5 times a day? I just don't have the time...

Oh, it's important.

You only are in the gym maybe 3 -5 hours per week and the rest of this time is important because this is when your eating habits are controlled by you.

If you are put off by the word meal then think of your 6 meals a day as "caloric consumptions". Just make sure that those "caloric consumptions" are anywhere between 100 - 300 "caloric consumption" opportunities. If it helps, try to think in terms of 3 meals and 2 snacks throughout the day.

In summary, keep your meals between 300-500 calories, and your snacks between 50 - 100 calories. The secret of successful healthy eating is in the planning. Whether it is that you are stressed for time and have to grab a snack of bananas and almonds (a carbohydrate with a protein is an important combination) it's not as difficult as most people make it. Here are 6 helpful tips to help ease the pain a little:

1. Resolve to make the effort. Find out what likes and dislikes are in the family and factor in their preferences.
2. Pick a planning style to suit your personality. Whether it's keeping a list attached to the fridge so you can add things to it as you run out, make a list on your computer, write out a 7 day menu, 14 day menu, etc. Do whatever works for you.
3. Make a shopping list. You know the old phrases, "Don't ever go to the grocery store hungry, or without a list." Otherwise you will end up spending more money than you anticipated and buying a bunch of stuff you don't need.
4. Shop strategically. Shop at time that's most convenient for you. I myself avoid Saturdays at all cost. I like to virtually be the only on in the store so I can think and go through my list.

   Another good thing to do is to find out when your favorite store delivers their shipments fresh. I have to admit, I do have the tendency to get the fresh stuff first and figure out what to do with it later. You can learn new fruits and vegetables this way and be pleasantly surprised.

5. Cook perishables first. Even though we have a compost heap, I find it very annoying when my vegetables or fruits perish before I have a chance to get to them.

   I do like to buy frozen as it is easier to keep them longer, but very, very rarely, if ever I can remember do I buy canned vegetables and use them as my primary source for vegetables. The fresher the better. I've heard people say it doesn't matter. It does matter primarily to your hair, skin and eyes.

   The fresher the better. You are more likely to eat fresh vegetables instead of dull tasteless ones. Try fresh ones for a while and then try to go back to canned. You will wonder why you ever ate the canned ones.

6. Grade your efforts. 21 days. That's how long it takes to incorporate a new habit and then to do it continually. It is important that you keep trying. Don't be to hard on yourself the first few attempts.