6 meals a day!?

Has anybody ever tried having 6 mini meals a day? I've heard people talk about it and I am a grazer but I was wondering if anyones had any success from it?

Replies

  • queenliz99
    queenliz99 Posts: 15,317 Member
    If you are a grazer then it sounds like the perfect thing for you. CICO
  • hhazzouri
    hhazzouri Posts: 103 Member
    It's a matter of personal preference nothing more.
  • ReaderGirl3
    ReaderGirl3 Posts: 868 Member
    TeaBea wrote: »
    Calories in vs. calories out = weight loss. The number of meals, the timing of meals won't matter. Just do what works for your schedule, the thing that helps you stay full longer, and the thing that keeps you on track.

    This.
  • shrcpr
    shrcpr Posts: 885 Member
    TeaBea wrote: »
    Calories in vs. calories out = weight loss. The number of meals, the timing of meals won't matter. Just do what works for your schedule, the thing that helps you stay full longer, and the thing that keeps you on track.

    +1

    5-6 meals/day works for me because I don't like being either full or hungry so this is what makes me feel the best. It does take some planning, though, to make sure you have food with you and you plan around workouts, etc for the best performance.
  • 85Cardinals
    85Cardinals Posts: 733 Member
    edited May 2016
    That's a lot of meals, 6 meals. What is the advantage you're looking for with 6 meals?
  • treegirl97
    treegirl97 Posts: 70 Member
    I have 3 meals and 2 snacks during the day. I like it since I hate feeling hungry and when at work, snacking a lot has become a habit so now I keep up my snacking. I've just replaced the junk for more nutritious options.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    I dislike that way of eating and more meals tends to make me less satisfied/tempted to eat more, but it's individual, so see if you like it.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,204 Member
    Different people find different eating routines satiating and useful. It's a very individual thing. Why not experiment? Try it for a few days. If it makes you feel more energetic, more satisfied, or seems more sustainable, stick with it.
  • cmtristani
    cmtristani Posts: 117 Member
    shrcpr wrote: »
    TeaBea wrote: »
    Calories in vs. calories out = weight loss. The number of meals, the timing of meals won't matter. Just do what works for your schedule, the thing that helps you stay full longer, and the thing that keeps you on track.

    +1

    5-6 meals/day works for me because I don't like being either full or hungry so this is what makes me feel the best. It does take some planning, though, to make sure you have food with you and you plan around workouts, etc for the best performance.

    This exactly, for me. Have to plan ahead, but I prefer it to large meals. No advantage one way over the other that I can tell, just personal preference. I have a desk job, and eating small amounts often makes me get up and move around frequently, too, because I have to go to the break room.

  • ilex70
    ilex70 Posts: 727 Member
    Grazer here. Works for me, not for everybody.

    My actual frequency is often even more than that, though I log it in 6 entries.

    My mid-morning entry is usually a protein bar and a string cheese, sometime almonds or dates, but I don't usually eat them all together; it is spaced out. Same thing in the afternoon, coffee and whey protein shake ATM, but I don't have them together..could be 2 hours between.

    Big meals just make me want to take a nap.
  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    Totally a personal preference. Tried grazing but totally unsatisified. I continue with wanting to munch and end up going for quick things in the fridg or cabinets which are not always best to meet my calories.

    I need a good size meal with ample protein to tide me over to the next one.

    Yep got to try and see which one works best for you.. I am def a two or three bigger meals person.
  • soccerkon26
    soccerkon26 Posts: 596 Member
    Check out my diary if you'd like. I do about 5 meals plus dessert.
  • Shana67
    Shana67 Posts: 680 Member
    No breakfast, smallish lunch and a decent dinner are the way that I go. And, I don't snack :)
  • fr33sia12
    fr33sia12 Posts: 1,258 Member
    Yeh I have 5 or 6 meals a day, I don't like feeling too full and if I'm hungry in between meals I like to be able to have a snack if I want to.
  • fr33sia12
    fr33sia12 Posts: 1,258 Member
    @soccerkon26 tried looking at your diary, it's not open
  • codename_steve
    codename_steve Posts: 255 Member
    If I go more the two/three hours without food I get hangry. So I usually have three meals (400-600 cals each) and two snacks (150-250 cals each). And sometimes I eat half my lunch, then an hour or so later eat the other half.
  • soccerkon26
    soccerkon26 Posts: 596 Member
    @soccerkon26 tried looking at your diary, it's not open

    Sorry! It should work now :)
  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
    I used to graze, and getting in a structure, any structure, was imperative. I started with five meals, and then six as I reached goal weight. Then I tried three meals for a short time. Nine months into maintenance, I stopped tracking and decided to rely on appetite alone (but also weighing myself daily) - I discovered I couldn't let myself be as full at every meal for four meals, as when I had three meals, wow, amaze :D I'm still at four meals but with slightly reduced portions, and that seems to stick - I find it easy to get enough variety, but don't have to think too much, I get pleasantly full, and four eating breaks suits my personal rythm.
  • RogerToo
    RogerToo Posts: 16,157 Member
    lbeebobs wrote: »
    Has anybody ever tried having 6 mini meals a day? I've heard people talk about it and I am a grazer but I was wondering if anyones had any success from it?

    Hi
    I do 6 to 7 a day. I eat a Banana when I get up, walk 3 miles, come home and have a Protein Shake and a Serving of cereal with 4 ounces of 1% milk and sweetener. Then 2.5 hours later I have a midmorning snack that can be as simple as a One Egg Egg Salad using No Sugar Added Sweet Relish 0 Calories per serving, some Lite Mayo and a 60 calorie Wrap, Then 2.5 hours I'll have an Apple, a Light & Fit Greek Yogurt 80 calories, and a 200 =/- calorie Lunch, Some of the Lean Cuisine Dinners fit that BTW. Then 2.5 hours I'll have a Mid Afternoon snack, 150 calories of a cookie or a fruit, Then 2.5 hours I'll Have Dinner to Clementines, a Lean Cuisine or Smart Ones Entree for example at 200 to 300 calories and another Light & Fit Greek Yogurt 80 calories, Then 2.5 hours 150 calories of fruit or cookie etc.

    I end up the day at 1800 calories, Right now I am doing Maintenance after losing 222 Pounds over 2 years. I did that on the 1700 to 1800 calorie I described above. Now that I am not trying to lose I add 200 or 300 calories of fruit to the day.

    So to Summarize, Yes 6 mini meals can work, it is completely up to the individual.

    Good Luck
    Roger
  • JeromeBarry1
    JeromeBarry1 Posts: 10,179 Member
    It depends upon what you call a "meal" or a "snack". If they add up to your target calories, meet your macros, and feel good, more power to you.
  • lbeebobs
    lbeebobs Posts: 5 Member
    That's a lot of meals, 6 meals. What is the advantage you're looking for with 6 meals?

    I've heard it passed around that that is how we should eat, I just don't know how true that is. And I was hoping it'll stop me from snacking. But it's the balance of small meals yet enough about them to fill me up.
  • lbeebobs
    lbeebobs Posts: 5 Member
    RogerToo wrote: »
    lbeebobs wrote: »
    Has anybody ever tried having 6 mini meals a day? I've heard people talk about it and I am a grazer but I was wondering if anyones had any success from it?

    Hi
    I do 6 to 7 a day. I eat a Banana when I get up, walk 3 miles, come home and have a Protein Shake and a Serving of cereal with 4 ounces of 1% milk and sweetener. Then 2.5 hours later I have a midmorning snack that can be as simple as a One Egg Egg Salad using No Sugar Added Sweet Relish 0 Calories per serving, some Lite Mayo and a 60 calorie Wrap, Then 2.5 hours I'll have an Apple, a Light & Fit Greek Yogurt 80 calories, and a 200 =/- calorie Lunch, Some of the Lean Cuisine Dinners fit that BTW. Then 2.5 hours I'll have a Mid Afternoon snack, 150 calories of a cookie or a fruit, Then 2.5 hours I'll Have Dinner to Clementines, a Lean Cuisine or Smart Ones Entree for example at 200 to 300 calories and another Light & Fit Greek Yogurt 80 calories, Then 2.5 hours 150 calories of fruit or cookie etc.

    I end up the day at 1800 calories, Right now I am doing Maintenance after losing 222 Pounds over 2 years. I did that on the 1700 to 1800 calorie I described above. Now that I am not trying to lose I add 200 or 300 calories of fruit to the day.

    So to Summarize, Yes 6 mini meals can work, it is completely up to the individual.

    Good Luck
    Roger
    RogerToo wrote: »
    lbeebobs wrote: »
    Has anybody ever tried having 6 mini meals a day? I've heard people talk about it and I am a grazer but I was wondering if anyones had any success from it?

    Hi
    I do 6 to 7 a day. I eat a Banana when I get up, walk 3 miles, come home and have a Protein Shake and a Serving of cereal with 4 ounces of 1% milk and sweetener. Then 2.5 hours later I have a midmorning snack that can be as simple as a One Egg Egg Salad using No Sugar Added Sweet Relish 0 Calories per serving, some Lite Mayo and a 60 calorie Wrap, Then 2.5 hours I'll have an Apple, a Light & Fit Greek Yogurt 80 calories, and a 200 =/- calorie Lunch, Some of the Lean Cuisine Dinners fit that BTW. Then 2.5 hours I'll have a Mid Afternoon snack, 150 calories of a cookie or a fruit, Then 2.5 hours I'll Have Dinner to Clementines, a Lean Cuisine or Smart Ones Entree for example at 200 to 300 calories and another Light & Fit Greek Yogurt 80 calories, Then 2.5 hours 150 calories of fruit or cookie etc.

    I end up the day at 1800 calories, Right now I am doing Maintenance after losing 222 Pounds over 2 years. I did that on the 1700 to 1800 calorie I described above. Now that I am not trying to lose I add 200 or 300 calories of fruit to the day.

    So to Summarize, Yes 6 mini meals can work, it is completely up to the individual.

    Good Luck
    Roger

    Thankyou! Some great ideas there. Congrats on your amazing loss too!
  • RogerToo
    RogerToo Posts: 16,157 Member
    lbeebobs wrote: »
    That's a lot of meals, 6 meals. What is the advantage you're looking for with 6 meals?

    I've heard it passed around that that is how we should eat, I just don't know how true that is. And I was hoping it'll stop me from snacking. But it's the balance of small meals yet enough about them to fill me up.

    Hi Again
    FWIW eating Three Square Meals a day is a fairly modern invention IMO.

    Back when primitive man was a hunter gatherer I am pretty sure they ate when they found the food. Thus their day could consist of tiny bites throughout the day, I could also be wrong regarding that. That Most likely changed with the introduction of raising crops and animals.

    Thank You for the Kind Words
    Roger
  • one1fast68
    one1fast68 Posts: 51 Member
    I tend to eat just 3 meals and a snack. I see an advantage to both ways of eating. I think eating "mini" meals throughout the day can help with craving less food at each sitting and can also see where eating 3 bigger meals can leave you more satisfied. I also think 3 meals a day borderlines on an IF type diet.
  • Meganthedogmom
    Meganthedogmom Posts: 1,639 Member
    I never thought about it, but I guess I probably eat six meals a day. I just don't call most of them meals.
    If I'm hungry when I wake up, then that's 1 at 4:30AM
    Then I'll have some yogurt or a protein drink around 10:30
    I have lunch at 12:30
    Usually have some small snack between 3 and 5pm
    Dinner around 6:30
    Then dessert/snack around 7:30 or 8
  • endlessfall16
    endlessfall16 Posts: 932 Member
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    I dislike that way of eating and more meals tends to make me less satisfied/tempted to eat more, but it's individual, so see if you like it.

    Same here.

    First grade logics tell me that if I keep poking the sleeping bear (appetite) throughout the day it's gonna wake up and give me trouble.

    1 coffee in the morning, 1 light lunch between 2-5 and a hearty dinner at 7:30 pm. No cravings, hunger, midday drowsiness, avoiding meal time, foods with the missus.