Eating multiple mini meals does not boost metabolism or promote weight loss, research presented to the Society for Endicrinology shows.

When 24 lean and obese women were given two meals or five meals comprising equal calories, energy expenditure over 24 hours was comparable.

It’s another nail in the coffin for eating regimes promising to trick the system. No fancy scheme could cancel the basic fact of weight loss, researchers said: calories in less than calories out. Simples.