The debate about repeating meals between lunch and dinner has generated varied opinions among nutrition experts. Dietitian-nutritionist Adriana Oroz Lacunza, recently author of the book How to Apply the Plate Method, offers her perspective on this common practice in many homes in statements to Infosalus.
According to Oroz Lacunza, it is not harmful to repeat the same menu for both meals of the day, as long as an adequate rotation of foods is maintained throughout the week.
In statements to Infosalus, the specialist highlights the importance of including a diversity of foods belonging to all nutritional groups in the diet, in order to guarantee adequate nutrient intake and maintain a balance in the diet.
According to the specialist, the plate method, disseminated by the Harvard School of Public Health, turns out to be an effective strategy for designing balanced and nutritious meals.
This technique consists of visually dividing the plate into three sections: half for vegetables, a quarter for complex carbohydrates, and the other quarter for quality proteins. Likewise, it is advisable to accompany food with healthy fats, such as extra virgin olive oil.
Oroz Lacunza highlights that the plate method is an easy guide to understand and apply, which helps create satisfying and varied meals. However, he recognizes that there may be social situations where it is difficult to follow these guidelines, and that’s okay. The important thing is to maintain a balanced general pattern in the daily diet.
The nutritionist emphasizes that the plate method is not intended to impose restrictions, but rather is presented as a flexible tool that encourages a diverse and balanced diet. Additionally, she suggests that gradually introducing changes to eating habits can facilitate long-term adoption.
In his book, Oroz Lacunza also addresses exceptions to the plate method, such as single dishes of legumes or grains, which can be considered complete meals on their own. However, he insists that occasionally enjoying traditional dishes that don’t follow these guidelines is fine, as long as you maintain a balanced approach to your overall diet.
