How do you feel about meal times?

goshnames

And specifically, do you think it is absolutely more beneficial to eat throughout the day?

I often have a small breakfast (banana, oatmeal, etc) and then am not hungry through lunchtime. I start getting hungry again around 5pm, when I enjoy eating a gigantic meal full of everything could possibly want (because I have so many available calories saved up, haha).

Is this type of eating going to hamper my progress? Do you lose weight faster if you spread out your eating throughout the day? What is your experience?

dieselbyte

Meal timing and frequency does not matter. As long as you are hitting your macro nutrient and caloric goals for what you are trying to accomplish, you will be fine. Take a look at intermittent fasting. Individuals fast for a large part of the day, have one or two large meals within a certain window, and this doesn't hamper their goals. There is a lot of mis information out there, and through no one's fault it is spread because it sounds reasonable. People will tell you not to eat carbs at night because you will get fat, or that you can only eat chicken and brown rice if you want to lose weight. Stay away from this food, only eat that food. The truth is your body is smarter and more complex then you can ever really know, and is not concerned with whether you eat carbs at 6 or 9 pm. I personally eat the majority of my carbs at night, post workout, and I have lowered and maintained 6 - 6.5% body fat for over a year. I'll eat 130g of carbs at 9pm and I'm in bed by 10:30pm. And the carb sources are oatmeal, banana, pop tarts and ice cream. Have fun, and don't stress so much.

momzeeee

I do 8:16 intermittent fasting and eat twice a day, with no snacking. I break my fast at 11am with my biggest meal and then I eat a.slightly smaller meal at around 6pm. Works great for me

jacksonpt

Eating times should be based on:

1) your ability to hit your macros and stay within your calorie goal
2) your energy levels and gym performance


Master those things, then you can worry about the other 1% that is nutrient timing.

bcattoes

To answer the subject line - I friggin' LOVE meal times.

To answer the OP - I don't think it makes any noticeable difference. There may be studies showing a miniscule increase if you do this or that, but it's like the difference between drinking cold water vs. tepid water. There is no noticeable difference in reality.

At least that’s been my experience, and I’ve eaten a variety of different times throughout my life for one reason or another.

diannethegeek

I've just recently switched to 16:8 IF which means that I only eat between noon and 8pm. For me it helps that I can feel really and truly full for those hours. I never felt that when I was spacing my meals out and it made me hangry more often than not.

I think that whichever way works for you is best.

Hexahedra

For weight loss purpose alone, meal timing doesn't matter. When you eat a surplus in the morning the body stores it as glycogen and fat, when you don't eat (like when you sleep at night) the body uses up the stores. If on average your body spends more than it takes, you will lose weight. Plain and simple.

Now, if you work out, meal timing can be important because your body needs nutrients to fuel the activity, to replenish used up glycogen stores, and to repair/reinforce your muscles.

JusticeGirl25

I don't like to eat 5-6 times a day like some do. I'm not sure how you would you keep track of how many times you eat a day.

I like to stick with eating 3 times a day.

goshnames

Dieselbyte - I am exactly the same way. I love my nighttime carbs! Toast, ice cream, and oatmeal an hour before bed? Yes please.

Hexahedra - In terms of the recovery thing...I'll have my small breakfast to fuel a workout...but then I often won't eat following the morning workout until dinner...and then I have a snack before bed. Is that too long between working out and eating for recovery (Usually 5-6 hours after)? And by workout, I mean mostly cardio.

bcattoes - I also LOVE mealtimes

healthygreek

During the week, I have either a cereal/fruit breakfast or 2 eggs with a slice of whole grain toast. I then workout for an hour and a half and then go about my day. At 1-2 pm I have a huge meal filled with veggies, protein, some chocolate and fruit. That's it till breakfast the next morning. I love and feel best when I have one large main meal a day & breakfast.
On the weekends I eat breakfast and then a large "out to eat" dinner. If I get hungry I might have some fruit, nuts or a small salad for lunch. Just a light snack to hold me til dinner.
This way of eating is perfect for me and I'm losing weight slowly (only have a few more pounds to go).

goshnames

Wow, I don't think I'd be able to make it from 1pm to breakfast! I tried doing the heavy breakfast/lighter dinner thing, and it made me crazy amounts of hungry by bedtime.

stargazer008

Meal timing does not matter.

alisonlynn1976

I have three meals a day on work days, and usually two on weekends and holidays (later breakfast and then a late lunch/early dinner). I know a lot of people say it's better to eat a lot of smaller meals throughout the day, but I have many other things going on in my life besides eating and that just isn't practical for me.

dieselbyte

Dieselbyte - I am exactly the same way. I love my nighttime carbs! Toast, ice cream, and oatmeal an hour before bed? Yes please.

Hexahedra - In terms of the recovery thing...I'll have my small breakfast to fuel a workout...but then I often won't eat following the morning workout until dinner...and then I have a snack before bed. Is that too long between working out and eating for recovery (Usually 5-6 hour after)? And by workout, I mean mostly cardio.

bcattoes - I also LOVE mealtimes

Having a meal immediately after cardio vs waiting is personal preference. The other myth is you need to eat within 30 minutes of working out, or you will turn catabolic. The truth is you can go hours without eating after a workout. I strength train 5 days a week, and incorporate cardio as well. I eat after working out because I'm hungry. Studies have shown that even going 8 - 10 hours before eating after a workout has no negative effects. So, if eating 5 - 6 hours after you workout is working for you and you are happy with your results, then continue. Also, there are many times I have trained fasted - 10 or 12 hours after my last meal. So honestly, meal timing is irrelevant.

cwolfman13

meal timing is irrelevant

goshnames

This is all good news