Number of meals per/day

georgia2034

Just curious on how many meals/snacks I should be having per day, I'm on 1390 calories per day without exercise added in.

Thanks in advance

Machka9

As many as you want.

I have 2 meals and a whole bunch of snacks.

Need2Exerc1se

Agree with the above. Eat at intervals that best works for you. Whatever keeps you most satisfied and works with your schedule will likely be best for you. Unless of course you have a medical need to eat at certain intervals, in which case you should stick with your doctor's recommendation.

kommodevaran

That's up to you to find out and decide, and most importantly, stick to.

If you want to lose weight, you'll be looking for a meal pattern that makes you less inclined to overeat. No meal pattern is objectively best to achieve that (if that were true, that'd be known, and taught is schools, etc, and you wouldn't be asking), some are just easier for some people to stick to, and some are easier for other people to stick to. You'll still have to do some work, and temptations will still be there, but if you plan your meals and shop smart, maybe cook more, get enough sleep and rest, exercise, have fun, stay calm, those temptations will be a lot easier to resist.

Raptor2763

5 total - 3 main meals plus 2 snacks

Ming1951

I have breakfast, then a snack (usually a protein shake), lunch with a "free" veggie, then later a snack, dinner, and a snack before dinner. These are nutrisystem meals, and their snacks and shakes. I plan to follow something similar as I wean myself off when I get to maintenance. This way I am eating act every 3-4 hours so I am satisfied most days.

crzycatlady1

Meal timing/meal frequency is a preference thing, just figure out what works best for your schedule and lifestyle

vikinglander

I tend to eat like a hobbitt...

Breakfast - 8 AM - <500 cal
Elevenses - 11 AM - <200 cal
Luncheon - 1 PM - <500 cal
Tea - 3 PM - <200 cal
Dinner - 6 PM - <500 cal
Supper - 8 PM - <100 cal

You results may vary.

avskk

I tend to have either three meals and two snacks or two meals, one snack, and some wine or beer. There is no "should," other than you should eat according to your calorie and nutrient goals!

georgia2034

Thanks everyone

hollyrayburn

Eat when you want as long as you stay within goals.

Hornsby

Matters none.

Francl27

Whatever works for you.

DeterminedToLoseIt02

Whenever you feel hungry mate

trigden1991

1390 would be a nice meal for me.

Meal timing and how you split your meals up is completely up to you and will have no effect on your weight loss. Weight loss is created by a calorie deficit (or amputation).

SCoil123

I have a protein shake or smaller lunch and then a large dinner. I dont eat additional snacks or breakfast. I prefer one large meal.

Spliner1969

5-6 for me, there's pre-workout (usually just coffee or a pre-workout drink), breakfast, mid-morning snack, lunch, dinner, and late snack. The late snack is optional and I generally only eat it if I need more fiber or protein and have the calories left. Typically my late snack consists of some no sugar added ice cream (lots of fiber and low calorie) to push my fiber macro up where I want it.

Lounmoun

The amount of meals that keeps you functioning and satisfied.

tahxirez

Experiment a little and remember its okay to change it up if you want variety. I did the 6 small, frequent meals for a while. Now I'm doing 3 bigger meals every 5ish hours with a few small, usually vegetable based snacks as needed. I find that both keep me satisfied as long as I eat enough calories with a good mix of protein and fat but the small meals was starting to make me a slave to food and my hanger was frightening if pushed past my meal timing. Thats purely personal though

Meghanebk

As many as you need to not feel hungry Don't forget which foods you eat wil change how fast you get hungry.

Personally, for that range I'd eat around 350 cals about 7AM (with lots of protein), about 400 lunch at 12, a 100 mostly veggie/greek yogurt dip snack at 3, about 500 dinner around 7 PM

courtneyfabulous

As many as you want it doesn't matter. I prefer very small meals and multiple snacks, some people do 3 meals, some eat once a day.

As long as you stick to your calories it doesn't really matter - just do what you like best.

DebSozo

I have 2 meals a day because many mini meals make me miserable.

dragon_girl26

I tend to have 3 meals, one or two snacks, and dessert after dinner.

Usually looks like:
Breakfast: 300-400 calories
Snack: 150-200
Lunch: 300-400
Snack: 100
Dinner: 500
Dessert: 200 or so

I try to hit around 2000 calories each day. My net goal is 1490.

blkandwhite77

I save 90% of my calories for late night because it's when I get ravenous. I have 6 kids as well and it's the only time I can eat in peace and quiet and enjoy my calories lol

Rawr619

I eat 2 make a day and sometimes a snack. Goal is 1200 calories. 500 for lunch 500- 600 first dinner, and sometimes a 100 calorie snack.

mumbles2013

I have one giant binge from 12pm till 5pm and stuff in 1350 cals. It's the only way of eating for me right now that has helped me to enjoy weight loss as a journey and not a chore. You can experiment with your meals and see what you like best.

memickee

Machka9 wrote: »

As many as you want.

This ^^ Find what works for you.

I do intermittent fasting. I am not a fan of breakfast (unless it's free). I eat a big dinner then a snack later on. I like to feel comfortably full at dinner.