According to a study published in the British Medical Journal, snacking throughout the day and eating as many as six meals or more can reduce cholesterol levels (under the guide you don’t consume more calories than you would in a normal day). After testing 15,000 men and women, researchers found those who ate six or more meals had a cholesterol reading 5 percent lower than those who ate one or two meals daily. Particularly interesting, the researchers found those who ate frequently throughout the day consumed more calories and more fat than those who ate less frequently and still maintained a lower cholesterol reading.

Consumer Reports on Health suggests the following for healthy snacking: in place of potato chips and ice cream eat baked potatoes and low-fat yogurt, dried fruit, nuts and whole-grain products; see snacks as part of your daily meals, not as add-ons after the meals; finally, eat only when you’re hungry, not because you’re bored or stressed.