Meals

mrxtrmesports4622
mrxtrmesports4622 Posts: 11 Member
edited November 14 in Health and Weight Loss
Better to eat small meals every couple of hours? Or bigger meals spread farther apart? Why?
«134

Replies

  • nutmegoreo
    nutmegoreo Posts: 15,532 Member
    Go with whatever you can stick to. Some find they prefer smaller meals closer together, others prefer three larger meals, and others keep an eating window during which they consume all their calories (one big meal, a couple snacks). Personally, I have three-four medium size meals and a snack before bed. Or if I am having a day out, I will eat lighter the rest of the day to fit in a great restaurant meal.
  • This content has been removed.
  • Orphia
    Orphia Posts: 7,097 Member
    Yes, meal timing is irrelevant.

    Your body burns energy day and night.

    Eat whatever and whenever makes you satisfied within your calorie limit.
  • cerise_noir
    cerise_noir Posts: 5,468 Member
    Noel_57 wrote: »
    Eat 2, 3 or 5 meals. But never 4. 4 will make you gain weight.
    Unless number 4 is after midnight on a rainy night on the 31st.
    :laugh:
  • newbie3122
    newbie3122 Posts: 480 Member
    Noel_57 wrote: »
    Eat 2, 3 or 5 meals. But never 4. 4 will make you gain weight.
    Omg this is so true. The fortune cookie says that 4 is my unlucky number...
  • red99ryder
    red99ryder Posts: 399 Member
    newbie3122 wrote: »
    Noel_57 wrote: »
    Eat 2, 3 or 5 meals. But never 4. 4 will make you gain weight.
    Omg this is so true. The fortune cookie says that 4 is my unlucky number...

    lol you guys are MEAN lol

    Good luck
  • Which way makes you feel more satisfied? Go with that.
  • Lounmoun
    Lounmoun Posts: 8,423 Member
    Whatever helps you function best.
  • diannethegeek
    diannethegeek Posts: 14,776 Member
    Personal preference. Play around and find what works best for your personal needs/schedule.
  • peaceout_aly
    peaceout_aly Posts: 2,018 Member
    Better to eat small meals every couple of hours? Or bigger meals spread farther apart? Why?

    Personal preference. Everyone is different. Makes no difference for weight loss as long as you are staying within your calorie deficit.
  • crzycatlady1
    crzycatlady1 Posts: 1,930 Member
    AnvilHead wrote: »
    Doesn't matter either way. Meal timing is irrelevant. All that matters is calories in < calories out. Go with whatever fits your personal preference best.

    Yep this :)
  • fruttibiscotti
    fruttibiscotti Posts: 986 Member
    The answer to your question is shown in the following study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27737674. This study demonstrates how "intermittent fasting", or IF, works.

    By limiting your "eating window" to a limited time span, you create a "fasting" period for the remainder of the day, which allows your body to go into efficient fat-burning.

    So, for example, in the study above, the "eating window" was within an 8-hr time period. This is also known as intermittent fasting.

    For me, it's a very effective strategy. I've noticed a huge difference if I eat within the established eating window. Also, note that there is also no reduction in food intake. Whatever food you were planning to eat that day is not reduced...just needs to be within the feeding window. I get such huge gains in weight loss for virtually little effort with intermittent fasting.

    So, yes. Meal timing is associated to weight loss effectiveness.
  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,343 Member
  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,343 Member
  • fruttibiscotti
    fruttibiscotti Posts: 986 Member
    The answer to your question is shown in the following study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27737674. This study demonstrates how "intermittent fasting", or IF, works.

    By limiting your "eating window" to a limited time span, you create a "fasting" period for the remainder of the day, which allows your body to go into efficient fat-burning.

    So, for example, in the study above, the "eating window" was within an 8-hr time period. This is also known as intermittent fasting.

    For me, it's a very effective strategy. I've noticed a huge difference if I eat within the established eating window. Also, note that there is also no reduction in food intake. Whatever food you were planning to eat that day is not reduced...just needs to be within the feeding window. I get such huge gains in weight loss for virtually little effort with intermittent fasting.

    So, yes. Meal timing is associated to weight loss effectiveness.

    I've done IF for years now but if I don't also regulate my calorie intake I gain weight. IF is not a weight loss plan in itself and you still have to be eating at the correct calorie deficit for your weight loss goals while doing it. What many people find though is that doing an eating window is a simple way to help keep calories in check. If I eat in the morning I tend to graze the rest of the day. But, when I break my fast at noon or later then I don't graze/snack and it's easier to hit my calorie targets.

    The effectiveness of intermittent fasting has to do with it's ability to improve insulin sensitivity and reboot metabolism. For example, this is shown in the following study, where those with deranged metabolisms demonstrated greater improvement of weight loss through intermittent fasting: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20921964

  • crzycatlady1
    crzycatlady1 Posts: 1,930 Member
    edited December 2016
    The answer to your question is shown in the following study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27737674. This study demonstrates how "intermittent fasting", or IF, works.

    By limiting your "eating window" to a limited time span, you create a "fasting" period for the remainder of the day, which allows your body to go into efficient fat-burning.

    So, for example, in the study above, the "eating window" was within an 8-hr time period. This is also known as intermittent fasting.

    For me, it's a very effective strategy. I've noticed a huge difference if I eat within the established eating window. Also, note that there is also no reduction in food intake. Whatever food you were planning to eat that day is not reduced...just needs to be within the feeding window. I get such huge gains in weight loss for virtually little effort with intermittent fasting.

    So, yes. Meal timing is associated to weight loss effectiveness.

    I've done IF for years now but if I don't also regulate my calorie intake I gain weight. IF is not a weight loss plan in itself and you still have to be eating at the correct calorie deficit for your weight loss goals while doing it. What many people find though is that doing an eating window is a simple way to help keep calories in check. If I eat in the morning I tend to graze the rest of the day. But, when I break my fast at noon or later then I don't graze/snack and it's easier to hit my calorie targets.

    The effectiveness of intermittent fasting has to do with it's ability to improve insulin sensitivity and reboot metabolism. For example, this is shown in the following study, where those with deranged metabolisms demonstrated greater improvement of weight loss through intermittent fasting: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20921964

    Do you think that you can eat over your maintenance calorie range, but stay within your IF window, and not gain weight? Because I've been there, done that and I did in fact gain :p
  • fruttibiscotti
    fruttibiscotti Posts: 986 Member
    The answer to your question is shown in the following study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27737674. This study demonstrates how "intermittent fasting", or IF, works.

    By limiting your "eating window" to a limited time span, you create a "fasting" period for the remainder of the day, which allows your body to go into efficient fat-burning.

    So, for example, in the study above, the "eating window" was within an 8-hr time period. This is also known as intermittent fasting.

    For me, it's a very effective strategy. I've noticed a huge difference if I eat within the established eating window. Also, note that there is also no reduction in food intake. Whatever food you were planning to eat that day is not reduced...just needs to be within the feeding window. I get such huge gains in weight loss for virtually little effort with intermittent fasting.

    So, yes. Meal timing is associated to weight loss effectiveness.

    I've done IF for years now but if I don't also regulate my calorie intake I gain weight. IF is not a weight loss plan in itself and you still have to be eating at the correct calorie deficit for your weight loss goals while doing it. What many people find though is that doing an eating window is a simple way to help keep calories in check. If I eat in the morning I tend to graze the rest of the day. But, when I break my fast at noon or later then I don't graze/snack and it's easier to hit my calorie targets.

    The effectiveness of intermittent fasting has to do with it's ability to improve insulin sensitivity and reboot metabolism. For example, this is shown in the following study, where those with deranged metabolisms demonstrated greater improvement of weight loss through intermittent fasting: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20921964

    Do you think that you can eat over your maintenance calorie range, but stay within your IF window, and not gain weight? Because I've been there, done that and I did in fact gain :p

    It's typically not possible to eat over the maintenance level in intermittent fasting, given that you stick to foods that do not derange your metabolism and induce insulin resistance (I.e. Typically non-processed foods). For example, I can only eat a certain amount of ribeye steak or salmon within the eating window. I can't force myself to eat more ribeye or salmon...it's impossible. It's a natural, built-in stop gap. There are some foods that some people need to restrict levels because they have a tendency to overeat them (like potatoes and rice). Most low-sugar, unprocessed foods are difficult to overeat (I.e. Vegetables, fish, meat, seafood).

  • kami3006
    kami3006 Posts: 4,979 Member
    The answer to your question is shown in the following study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27737674. This study demonstrates how "intermittent fasting", or IF, works.

    By limiting your "eating window" to a limited time span, you create a "fasting" period for the remainder of the day, which allows your body to go into efficient fat-burning.

    So, for example, in the study above, the "eating window" was within an 8-hr time period. This is also known as intermittent fasting.

    For me, it's a very effective strategy. I've noticed a huge difference if I eat within the established eating window. Also, note that there is also no reduction in food intake. Whatever food you were planning to eat that day is not reduced...just needs to be within the feeding window. I get such huge gains in weight loss for virtually little effort with intermittent fasting.

    So, yes. Meal timing is associated to weight loss effectiveness.

    I've done IF for years now but if I don't also regulate my calorie intake I gain weight. IF is not a weight loss plan in itself and you still have to be eating at the correct calorie deficit for your weight loss goals while doing it. What many people find though is that doing an eating window is a simple way to help keep calories in check. If I eat in the morning I tend to graze the rest of the day. But, when I break my fast at noon or later then I don't graze/snack and it's easier to hit my calorie targets.

    The effectiveness of intermittent fasting has to do with it's ability to improve insulin sensitivity and reboot metabolism. For example, this is shown in the following study, where those with deranged metabolisms demonstrated greater improvement of weight loss through intermittent fasting: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20921964

    Do you think that you can eat over your maintenance calorie range, but stay within your IF window, and not gain weight? Because I've been there, done that and I did in fact gain :p

    It's typically not possible to eat over the maintenance level in intermittent fasting, given that you stick to foods that do not derange your metabolism and induce insulin resistance (I.e. Typically non-processed foods). For example, I can only eat a certain amount of ribeye steak or salmon within the eating window. I can't force myself to eat more ribeye or salmon...it's impossible. It's a natural, built-in stop gap. There are some foods that some people need to restrict levels because they have a tendency to overeat them (like potatoes and rice). Most low-sugar, unprocessed foods are difficult to overeat (I.e. Vegetables, fish, meat, seafood).

    IF is just a pattern of eating. It has noting to do with the types of foods you choose. I believe you're conflating IF and your LCHF preferences.
  • fruttibiscotti
    fruttibiscotti Posts: 986 Member
    kami3006 wrote: »
    The answer to your question is shown in the following study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27737674. This study demonstrates how "intermittent fasting", or IF, works.

    By limiting your "eating window" to a limited time span, you create a "fasting" period for the remainder of the day, which allows your body to go into efficient fat-burning.

    So, for example, in the study above, the "eating window" was within an 8-hr time period. This is also known as intermittent fasting.

    For me, it's a very effective strategy. I've noticed a huge difference if I eat within the established eating window. Also, note that there is also no reduction in food intake. Whatever food you were planning to eat that day is not reduced...just needs to be within the feeding window. I get such huge gains in weight loss for virtually little effort with intermittent fasting.

    So, yes. Meal timing is associated to weight loss effectiveness.

    I've done IF for years now but if I don't also regulate my calorie intake I gain weight. IF is not a weight loss plan in itself and you still have to be eating at the correct calorie deficit for your weight loss goals while doing it. What many people find though is that doing an eating window is a simple way to help keep calories in check. If I eat in the morning I tend to graze the rest of the day. But, when I break my fast at noon or later then I don't graze/snack and it's easier to hit my calorie targets.

    The effectiveness of intermittent fasting has to do with it's ability to improve insulin sensitivity and reboot metabolism. For example, this is shown in the following study, where those with deranged metabolisms demonstrated greater improvement of weight loss through intermittent fasting: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20921964

    Do you think that you can eat over your maintenance calorie range, but stay within your IF window, and not gain weight? Because I've been there, done that and I did in fact gain :p

    It's typically not possible to eat over the maintenance level in intermittent fasting, given that you stick to foods that do not derange your metabolism and induce insulin resistance (I.e. Typically non-processed foods). For example, I can only eat a certain amount of ribeye steak or salmon within the eating window. I can't force myself to eat more ribeye or salmon...it's impossible. It's a natural, built-in stop gap. There are some foods that some people need to restrict levels because they have a tendency to overeat them (like potatoes and rice). Most low-sugar, unprocessed foods are difficult to overeat (I.e. Vegetables, fish, meat, seafood).

    IF is just a pattern of eating. It has noting to do with the types of foods you choose. I believe you're conflating IF and your LCHF preferences.

    What part of LCHF includes potatoes and rice?

  • crzycatlady1
    crzycatlady1 Posts: 1,930 Member
    edited December 2016
    The answer to your question is shown in the following study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27737674. This study demonstrates how "intermittent fasting", or IF, works.

    By limiting your "eating window" to a limited time span, you create a "fasting" period for the remainder of the day, which allows your body to go into efficient fat-burning.

    So, for example, in the study above, the "eating window" was within an 8-hr time period. This is also known as intermittent fasting.

    For me, it's a very effective strategy. I've noticed a huge difference if I eat within the established eating window. Also, note that there is also no reduction in food intake. Whatever food you were planning to eat that day is not reduced...just needs to be within the feeding window. I get such huge gains in weight loss for virtually little effort with intermittent fasting.

    So, yes. Meal timing is associated to weight loss effectiveness.

    I've done IF for years now but if I don't also regulate my calorie intake I gain weight. IF is not a weight loss plan in itself and you still have to be eating at the correct calorie deficit for your weight loss goals while doing it. What many people find though is that doing an eating window is a simple way to help keep calories in check. If I eat in the morning I tend to graze the rest of the day. But, when I break my fast at noon or later then I don't graze/snack and it's easier to hit my calorie targets.

    The effectiveness of intermittent fasting has to do with it's ability to improve insulin sensitivity and reboot metabolism. For example, this is shown in the following study, where those with deranged metabolisms demonstrated greater improvement of weight loss through intermittent fasting: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20921964

    Do you think that you can eat over your maintenance calorie range, but stay within your IF window, and not gain weight? Because I've been there, done that and I did in fact gain :p

    It's typically not possible to eat over the maintenance level in intermittent fasting, given that you stick to foods that do not derange your metabolism and induce insulin resistance (I.e. Typically non-processed foods). For example, I can only eat a certain amount of ribeye steak or salmon within the eating window. I can't force myself to eat more ribeye or salmon...it's impossible. It's a natural, built-in stop gap. There are some foods that some people need to restrict levels because they have a tendency to overeat them (like potatoes and rice). Most low-sugar, unprocessed foods are difficult to overeat (I.e. Vegetables, fish, meat, seafood).

    But there's no defined list of allowed foods for IF. I've done IF for around 5 years now and I eat in a completely different way than you do. I've hung out on several IF forums (not on MFP) and it's not about what kinds of foods you're eating, only about calorie timing. I think you have a different idea of what IF actually is?
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    Better to eat small meals every couple of hours? Or bigger meals spread farther apart? Why?

    Whatever works best for you.
  • crzycatlady1
    crzycatlady1 Posts: 1,930 Member
    edited December 2016
    kami3006 wrote: »
    kami3006 wrote: »
    The answer to your question is shown in the following study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27737674. This study demonstrates how "intermittent fasting", or IF, works.

    By limiting your "eating window" to a limited time span, you create a "fasting" period for the remainder of the day, which allows your body to go into efficient fat-burning.

    So, for example, in the study above, the "eating window" was within an 8-hr time period. This is also known as intermittent fasting.

    For me, it's a very effective strategy. I've noticed a huge difference if I eat within the established eating window. Also, note that there is also no reduction in food intake. Whatever food you were planning to eat that day is not reduced...just needs to be within the feeding window. I get such huge gains in weight loss for virtually little effort with intermittent fasting.

    So, yes. Meal timing is associated to weight loss effectiveness.

    I've done IF for years now but if I don't also regulate my calorie intake I gain weight. IF is not a weight loss plan in itself and you still have to be eating at the correct calorie deficit for your weight loss goals while doing it. What many people find though is that doing an eating window is a simple way to help keep calories in check. If I eat in the morning I tend to graze the rest of the day. But, when I break my fast at noon or later then I don't graze/snack and it's easier to hit my calorie targets.

    The effectiveness of intermittent fasting has to do with it's ability to improve insulin sensitivity and reboot metabolism. For example, this is shown in the following study, where those with deranged metabolisms demonstrated greater improvement of weight loss through intermittent fasting: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20921964

    Do you think that you can eat over your maintenance calorie range, but stay within your IF window, and not gain weight? Because I've been there, done that and I did in fact gain :p

    It's typically not possible to eat over the maintenance level in intermittent fasting, given that you stick to foods that do not derange your metabolism and induce insulin resistance (I.e. Typically non-processed foods). For example, I can only eat a certain amount of ribeye steak or salmon within the eating window. I can't force myself to eat more ribeye or salmon...it's impossible. It's a natural, built-in stop gap. There are some foods that some people need to restrict levels because they have a tendency to overeat them (like potatoes and rice). Most low-sugar, unprocessed foods are difficult to overeat (I.e. Vegetables, fish, meat, seafood).

    IF is just a pattern of eating. It has noting to do with the types of foods you choose. I believe you're conflating IF and your LCHF preferences.

    What part of LCHF includes potatoes and rice?
    You're talking about restricting foods as part of IF.

    ETA: my point was that you can practice IF and be low carb, keto, follow IIFYM, etc. One has nothing to do with the other.

    Yeah, I think fruttibiscotti is misunderstanding what IF actually is. There's no rules/ lists/restrictions on what kinds of foods you can eat-IF is only about calorie timing. I've done ADF, 5:2IF and now 16:8IF, but CICO is still what matters for weight loss, weight maintenance and weight gain.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    edited December 2016
    The answer to your question is shown in the following study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27737674. This study demonstrates how "intermittent fasting", or IF, works.

    By limiting your "eating window" to a limited time span, you create a "fasting" period for the remainder of the day, which allows your body to go into efficient fat-burning.

    So, for example, in the study above, the "eating window" was within an 8-hr time period. This is also known as intermittent fasting.

    For me, it's a very effective strategy. I've noticed a huge difference if I eat within the established eating window. Also, note that there is also no reduction in food intake. Whatever food you were planning to eat that day is not reduced...just needs to be within the feeding window. I get such huge gains in weight loss for virtually little effort with intermittent fasting.

    So, yes. Meal timing is associated to weight loss effectiveness.

    I've done IF for years now but if I don't also regulate my calorie intake I gain weight. IF is not a weight loss plan in itself and you still have to be eating at the correct calorie deficit for your weight loss goals while doing it. What many people find though is that doing an eating window is a simple way to help keep calories in check. If I eat in the morning I tend to graze the rest of the day. But, when I break my fast at noon or later then I don't graze/snack and it's easier to hit my calorie targets.

    The effectiveness of intermittent fasting has to do with it's ability to improve insulin sensitivity and reboot metabolism. For example, this is shown in the following study, where those with deranged metabolisms demonstrated greater improvement of weight loss through intermittent fasting: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20921964

    Right. ;)

    Nope. Your metabolism does not need rebooting, and not everyone is insulin sensitive. Fasting is personal preference and works for some people, and not for others.

    That study you posted was done on "Thirty-four resistance-trained males," but did not provide weight, age, etc. How does that even apply here? In fact, the question was general with no details as to whether the OP is a "resistance-trained" male. All we know is he's 19 years old.
  • fruttibiscotti
    fruttibiscotti Posts: 986 Member
    SLLRunner wrote: »
    The answer to your question is shown in the following study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27737674. This study demonstrates how "intermittent fasting", or IF, works.

    By limiting your "eating window" to a limited time span, you create a "fasting" period for the remainder of the day, which allows your body to go into efficient fat-burning.

    So, for example, in the study above, the "eating window" was within an 8-hr time period. This is also known as intermittent fasting.

    For me, it's a very effective strategy. I've noticed a huge difference if I eat within the established eating window. Also, note that there is also no reduction in food intake. Whatever food you were planning to eat that day is not reduced...just needs to be within the feeding window. I get such huge gains in weight loss for virtually little effort with intermittent fasting.

    So, yes. Meal timing is associated to weight loss effectiveness.

    I've done IF for years now but if I don't also regulate my calorie intake I gain weight. IF is not a weight loss plan in itself and you still have to be eating at the correct calorie deficit for your weight loss goals while doing it. What many people find though is that doing an eating window is a simple way to help keep calories in check. If I eat in the morning I tend to graze the rest of the day. But, when I break my fast at noon or later then I don't graze/snack and it's easier to hit my calorie targets.

    The effectiveness of intermittent fasting has to do with it's ability to improve insulin sensitivity and reboot metabolism. For example, this is shown in the following study, where those with deranged metabolisms demonstrated greater improvement of weight loss through intermittent fasting: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20921964

    Right. ;)

    Nope. Your metabolism does not need rebooting, and not everyone is insulin sensitive. Fasting is personal preference and works for some people, and not for others.

    That study you posted was done on "Thirty-four resistance-trained males." How does that even apply here?

    I posted two studies, one of men and the other women, as well as different metabolic performance levels. Demonstrates IF works along a spectrum of types.

  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    SLLRunner wrote: »
    The answer to your question is shown in the following study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27737674. This study demonstrates how "intermittent fasting", or IF, works.

    By limiting your "eating window" to a limited time span, you create a "fasting" period for the remainder of the day, which allows your body to go into efficient fat-burning.

    So, for example, in the study above, the "eating window" was within an 8-hr time period. This is also known as intermittent fasting.

    For me, it's a very effective strategy. I've noticed a huge difference if I eat within the established eating window. Also, note that there is also no reduction in food intake. Whatever food you were planning to eat that day is not reduced...just needs to be within the feeding window. I get such huge gains in weight loss for virtually little effort with intermittent fasting.

    So, yes. Meal timing is associated to weight loss effectiveness.

    I've done IF for years now but if I don't also regulate my calorie intake I gain weight. IF is not a weight loss plan in itself and you still have to be eating at the correct calorie deficit for your weight loss goals while doing it. What many people find though is that doing an eating window is a simple way to help keep calories in check. If I eat in the morning I tend to graze the rest of the day. But, when I break my fast at noon or later then I don't graze/snack and it's easier to hit my calorie targets.

    The effectiveness of intermittent fasting has to do with it's ability to improve insulin sensitivity and reboot metabolism. For example, this is shown in the following study, where those with deranged metabolisms demonstrated greater improvement of weight loss through intermittent fasting: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20921964

    Right. ;)

    Nope. Your metabolism does not need rebooting, and not everyone is insulin sensitive. Fasting is personal preference and works for some people, and not for others.

    That study you posted was done on "Thirty-four resistance-trained males." How does that even apply here?

    I posted two studies, one of men and the other women, as well as different metabolic performance levels. Demonstrates IF works along a spectrum of types.

    Nobody said it didn't work.

    It works for some people, not for everyone. And,it will only work as to weight loss if you're in a calorie deficit.

    You'll catch me intermittently fasting in a cold day in hell because that type of eating plan does not work for me when it comes to calorie control, which is the one necessary component to weight loss.
  • fruttibiscotti
    fruttibiscotti Posts: 986 Member
    kami3006 wrote: »
    kami3006 wrote: »
    The answer to your question is shown in the following study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27737674. This study demonstrates how "intermittent fasting", or IF, works.

    By limiting your "eating window" to a limited time span, you create a "fasting" period for the remainder of the day, which allows your body to go into efficient fat-burning.

    So, for example, in the study above, the "eating window" was within an 8-hr time period. This is also known as intermittent fasting.

    For me, it's a very effective strategy. I've noticed a huge difference if I eat within the established eating window. Also, note that there is also no reduction in food intake. Whatever food you were planning to eat that day is not reduced...just needs to be within the feeding window. I get such huge gains in weight loss for virtually little effort with intermittent fasting.

    So, yes. Meal timing is associated to weight loss effectiveness.

    I've done IF for years now but if I don't also regulate my calorie intake I gain weight. IF is not a weight loss plan in itself and you still have to be eating at the correct calorie deficit for your weight loss goals while doing it. What many people find though is that doing an eating window is a simple way to help keep calories in check. If I eat in the morning I tend to graze the rest of the day. But, when I break my fast at noon or later then I don't graze/snack and it's easier to hit my calorie targets.

    The effectiveness of intermittent fasting has to do with it's ability to improve insulin sensitivity and reboot metabolism. For example, this is shown in the following study, where those with deranged metabolisms demonstrated greater improvement of weight loss through intermittent fasting: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20921964

    Do you think that you can eat over your maintenance calorie range, but stay within your IF window, and not gain weight? Because I've been there, done that and I did in fact gain :p

    It's typically not possible to eat over the maintenance level in intermittent fasting, given that you stick to foods that do not derange your metabolism and induce insulin resistance (I.e. Typically non-processed foods). For example, I can only eat a certain amount of ribeye steak or salmon within the eating window. I can't force myself to eat more ribeye or salmon...it's impossible. It's a natural, built-in stop gap. There are some foods that some people need to restrict levels because they have a tendency to overeat them (like potatoes and rice). Most low-sugar, unprocessed foods are difficult to overeat (I.e. Vegetables, fish, meat, seafood).

    IF is just a pattern of eating. It has noting to do with the types of foods you choose. I believe you're conflating IF and your LCHF preferences.

    What part of LCHF includes potatoes and rice?
    You're talking about restricting foods as part of IF.

    ETA: my point was that you can practice IF and be low carb, keto, follow IIFYM, etc. One has nothing to do with the other.

    Yeah, I think fruttibiscotti is misunderstanding what IF actually is. There's no rules/ lists/restrictions on what kinds of foods you can eat-IF is only about calorie timing. I've done ADF, 5:2IF and now 16:8IF, but CICO is still what matters for weight loss, weight maintenance and weight gain.

    OP asked if there is a difference in meal timing. I answered yes...and gave a couple of intermittent fasting studies demonstrating results. So, you can use whatever food regimen (vegan, vegetarian, DASH, low carb, high protein, etc) in combination with intermittent fasting (which has shown positive results in weight loss).

  • kami3006
    kami3006 Posts: 4,979 Member
    kami3006 wrote: »
    kami3006 wrote: »
    The answer to your question is shown in the following study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27737674. This study demonstrates how "intermittent fasting", or IF, works.

    By limiting your "eating window" to a limited time span, you create a "fasting" period for the remainder of the day, which allows your body to go into efficient fat-burning.

    So, for example, in the study above, the "eating window" was within an 8-hr time period. This is also known as intermittent fasting.

    For me, it's a very effective strategy. I've noticed a huge difference if I eat within the established eating window. Also, note that there is also no reduction in food intake. Whatever food you were planning to eat that day is not reduced...just needs to be within the feeding window. I get such huge gains in weight loss for virtually little effort with intermittent fasting.

    So, yes. Meal timing is associated to weight loss effectiveness.

    I've done IF for years now but if I don't also regulate my calorie intake I gain weight. IF is not a weight loss plan in itself and you still have to be eating at the correct calorie deficit for your weight loss goals while doing it. What many people find though is that doing an eating window is a simple way to help keep calories in check. If I eat in the morning I tend to graze the rest of the day. But, when I break my fast at noon or later then I don't graze/snack and it's easier to hit my calorie targets.

    The effectiveness of intermittent fasting has to do with it's ability to improve insulin sensitivity and reboot metabolism. For example, this is shown in the following study, where those with deranged metabolisms demonstrated greater improvement of weight loss through intermittent fasting: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20921964

    Do you think that you can eat over your maintenance calorie range, but stay within your IF window, and not gain weight? Because I've been there, done that and I did in fact gain :p

    It's typically not possible to eat over the maintenance level in intermittent fasting, given that you stick to foods that do not derange your metabolism and induce insulin resistance (I.e. Typically non-processed foods). For example, I can only eat a certain amount of ribeye steak or salmon within the eating window. I can't force myself to eat more ribeye or salmon...it's impossible. It's a natural, built-in stop gap. There are some foods that some people need to restrict levels because they have a tendency to overeat them (like potatoes and rice). Most low-sugar, unprocessed foods are difficult to overeat (I.e. Vegetables, fish, meat, seafood).

    IF is just a pattern of eating. It has noting to do with the types of foods you choose. I believe you're conflating IF and your LCHF preferences.

    What part of LCHF includes potatoes and rice?
    You're talking about restricting foods as part of IF.

    ETA: my point was that you can practice IF and be low carb, keto, follow IIFYM, etc. One has nothing to do with the other.

    Yeah, I think fruttibiscotti is misunderstanding what IF actually is. There's no rules/ lists/restrictions on what kinds of foods you can eat-IF is only about calorie timing. I've done ADF, 5:2IF and now 16:8IF, but CICO is still what matters for weight loss, weight maintenance and weight gain.

    OP asked if there is a difference in meal timing. I answered yes...and gave a couple of intermittent fasting studies demonstrating results. So, you can use whatever food regimen (vegan, vegetarian, DASH, low carb, high protein, etc) in combination with intermittent fasting (which has shown positive results in weight loss).

    I think it's misleading to say that meal timing leads to weight loss. It's actually that meal timing can help with satiety and sticking to goals which can help with weight loss.

    So, it comes back to doing what works for you.

    FWIW, I love IF and eat that way naturally so it worked well with my calorie limit when I was in deficit.
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