Eating all of my calories at dinner

recoveryjunky

Hey guys.

So I usually (not in the past week but usually) eat about 300-400 calories from the time I wake up till dinner which is usually around 7PM with bed around 12. So I'm eating like 900 calories for dinner. I have dramatically changed the way I eat in the past few months and have heard that this is not the best way of eating.

In your opinion, how should calories be split up?

What is the harm in eating all of your calories at that time?

Madame_Goldbricker

Personally I don't think it matters whatever time you eat. I work 4 on 4 off night shift & what/when/how I eat varies constantly. So long as IIFIYM you'll be fine.

cabcab12345

Actually, eating all of our calories in a small window is conducive to fat loss. It's called intermittent fasting, and it comes with a bunch of additional health benefits as well. If you can make it to the afternoon or evening with maybe a light snack or (if you can tolerate it and don't experience any negative side effects) nothing at all, providing that you drink plenty of water, you'll be activating your skinny gene and burning more fat during this time. Google it more if you like to see the benefits and the science to back it up. But only do this if you are near done growing and have no medical issues with doing so.

shadus

Hey guys.

So I usually (not in the past week but usually) eat about 300-400 calories from the time I wake up till dinner which is usually around 7PM with bed around 12. So I'm eating like 900 calories for dinner. I have dramatically changed the way I eat in the past few months and have heard that this is not the best way of eating.

In your opinion, how should calories be split up?

What is the harm in eating all of your calories at that time?

There is none, that myth was dispelled years ago by dozens of studies but it keeps resurfacing for some reason. Eating six small meals burns no more calories than eating one big one. The exception to that is if you can't get enough calories, due to extreme exercise (marathons, etc), restrictive surgery, and whatnot in areas like those. The only time than extreme expenditure or restrictive intake they found it to make any difference was if you normally ate a meal and then skipped a meal you normally eat. In that case you have a lowered feeling of energy and often are far more grumpy.

Shesaid_destroy

I was not expecting such replies. I always read or heard that a balanced day should be a large breakfast, a smaller lunch and a smaller even dinner. Since food sustains your activity level throughout the day/night, your intake should match that level. I have also read that eating carbs at diner is fine, since it is energy in the making for the following day. But i wouldn't eat 900 cal at dinner and would try to spread the amount throughout the day.

JesterMFP

I think you should split them up in a way that suits your preferences and energy needs. Some people couldn't eat in that way because their blood sugar would crash during the day. Other people prefer to eat just oe big meal a day.

How I do it is I usually skip breakfast, have lunch of about 4-500 calories in the middle of the day, and then have the rest of my calories (over 1000) for dinner and after dinner snacking. (This generally means I'm eating all my calories in roughly 1 7 hour window). Occasionally I skip lunch too, and have just one big meal. A couple of days a week, I find it suits me better to have breakfast (usually about 2-300 calories). It's not set in stone.

If you find that the way you eat suits you, and you're not suffering from a lack of energy, or feeling weak, or feeling uncomfortably hungry, then you're fine.

cabcab12345

I was not expecting such replies. I always read or heard that a balanced day should be a large breakfast, a smaller lunch and a smaller even dinner. Since food sustains your activity level throughout the day/night, your intake should match that level. I have also read that eating carbs at diner is fine, since it is energy in the making for the following day. But i wouldn't eat 900 cal at dinner and would try to spread the amount throughout the day.

That was the rumor which everyone took as gospel, but there is actually little or no scientific evidence to support these claims. Essentially, if eating a bigger breakfast is going to prevent you from eating ten cows later in the day, then eat a bigger breakfast. But if you aren't even hungry in the morning, you don't need to force yourself to eat. But always drink water.

JesterMFP

I was not expecting such replies. I always read or heard that a balanced day should be a large breakfast, a smaller lunch and a smaller even dinner. Since food sustains your activity level throughout the day/night, your intake should match that level. I have also read that eating carbs at diner is fine, since it is energy in the making for the following day. But i wouldn't eat 900 cal at dinner and would try to spread the amount throughout the day.

This is conventional wisdom, but that doesn't make it correct. :ohwell: Some people do need to eat a big breakfast, and find that it supports their activity throughout the day better. I (mostly) find that all eating breakfast does is make me feel ravenous by 11.This is one case where you should find what works best for you.

tequila09

Eat your calories however you want! Whatever works best for you!

Lizajayne23

I was not expecting such replies. I always read or heard that a balanced day should be a large breakfast, a smaller lunch and a smaller even dinner. Since food sustains your activity level throughout the day/night, your intake should match that level. I have also read that eating carbs at diner is fine, since it is energy in the making for the following day. But i wouldn't eat 900 cal at dinner and would try to spread the amount throughout the day.

This is conventional wisdom, but that doesn't make it correct. :ohwell: Some people do need to eat a big breakfast, and find that it supports their activity throughout the day better. I (mostly) find that all eating breakfast does is make me feel ravenous by 11.This is one case where you should find what works best for you.

For some reason, eating breakfast makes me feel like I NEED to eat 10 cows a few hours later. I'm perfectly fine with my cup of coffee (with cream and sugar) until I'm ready for a snack/late lunch. I work at home so my schedule is often upside down and having a big supper is probably the equivalent of most people's big breakfast.

I had a doctor tell me that the reason I couldn't lose weight was because I didn't eat during the day. (Never mind the PCOS and what I believe was the beginning of hypothyroidism at the time). Tried it his way and gained more weight! I'd love to go back and say "hey, look, I've lost 15 lbs now that I'm on thyroid meds and I still eat mainly at night!"

tequila09

For some reason, eating breakfast makes me feel like I NEED to eat 10 cows a few hours later. I'm perfectly fine with my cup of coffee (with cream and sugar) until I'm ready for a snack/late lunch. I work at home so my schedule is often upside down and having a big supper is probably the equivalent of most people's big breakfast.

I had a doctor tell me that the reason I couldn't lose weight was because I didn't eat during the day. (Never mind the PCOS and what I believe was the beginning of hypothyroidism at the time). Tried it his way and gained more weight! I'd love to go back and say "hey, look, I've lost 15 lbs now that I'm on thyroid meds and I still eat mainly at night!"

I feel the same way when I eat breakfast!! No matter what I have I feel soooo hungry in a couple hours and want to eat the world.

Blizaine

For some reason, eating breakfast makes me feel like I NEED to eat 10 cows a few hours later. I'm perfectly fine with my cup of coffee (with cream and sugar) until I'm ready for a snack/late lunch. I work at home so my schedule is often upside down and having a big supper is probably the equivalent of most people's big breakfast.

I had a doctor tell me that the reason I couldn't lose weight was because I didn't eat during the day. (Never mind the PCOS and what I believe was the beginning of hypothyroidism at the time). Tried it his way and gained more weight! I'd love to go back and say "hey, look, I've lost 15 lbs now that I'm on thyroid meds and I still eat mainly at night!"

I feel the same way when I eat breakfast!! No matter what I have I feel soooo hungry in a couple hours and want to eat the world.

I was always the same way. So I started doing Intermittent Fasting 16/8. Fast for 16 hours, eat for 8. Basically skip breakfast and eat a bigger lunch and dinner. The big insulin swing from eating in the morning is what causes hunger with hours of eating. When you don't eat in the morning you won't have this and you won't be hungry. And, as others have said, there is no metabolic boost from eating breakfast like once thought.

TonyStark30

ON sundays I eat 90% of my Calories at dinner, I like to have a subtantial meal after eating good all week.

ravengal44646

Doesn't hurt a thing, in my case. I sleep better when I eat my main meal around 7p.m. I take my blood sugar the following morning and find no increase in the readings.

recoveryjunky

Thanks for the answers all! Any other opinions out there?

MsEndomorph

If you find yourself full of energy and easily sticking to your calorie limits, I say keep doing what you're doing.

For me, I've found eating frequently to be good for me - when I get hangry, it ain't pretty, and I'm more likely to make poor food choices, overeat, and be exhausted.

jaecamp1

I do the same thing. I eat very few calories during the day. Mostly just coffee, water and a small lunch. Then I have enough calories for basically whatever I want for dinner. I like to save some for a snack after too because the evening is when I really feel like snacking. If I split it up evenly during the day I either feel deprived at night or I go way over for the day. It has done me pretty well so far, and by the looks of the losses on your comments it seems yo work pretty well for them too.

GiveMeCoffee

I couldn't eat breakfast either or I ate everything that didn't move in the house that day. I usually eat 2 meals a day lunch and dinner works much better for me. 1 or 2 meals a day I can eat a big meal, which leaves me very full and I sleep better.

Find what works for you and your lifestyle, change it if you need.

raingirl21

My trainer recommends 4-5 meals a day. She doesn't specify the amount of the meal but eating regularly. I think the downside of eating so much at dinner is that you don't have a lot of time to burn it off before bedtime. I think the reasoning behind the multiple meals is to give yourself energy throughout the day. But if you feel fine with what your doing, I wouldn't say to change it. But everyone is different.

trisH_7183

I'm another breakfast skipper.Just not hungry early.Did try making myself eat in the morning.Always thought "what a waste of calories" cause I just didn't appreciate breakfast food.

Finally wised up.Regardless of what the experts said,I almost never eat in early am.Come noon,I'm hungry for my sandwich,maybe a side of soup ,salad or chips & fresh fruit.

That leaves calories for a nice dinner & snack. Works for me.

JesterMFP

My trainer recommends 4-5 meals a day. She doesn't specify the amount of the meal but eating regularly. I think the downside of eating so much at dinner is that you don't have a lot of time to burn it off before bedtime. I think the reasoning behind the multiple meals is to give yourself energy throughout the day. But if you feel fine with what your doing, I wouldn't say to change it. But everyone is different.

Why do you need to burn it off before bedtime? Why is that the deadline? Your body continues to burn (and store) energy throughout the day. Hopefully your trainer's reasoning has more to do with your energy levels and optimum performance.

jbailyn

MyFitnessPal and other calorie trackers -- designed to track caloric intake over the day -- attract people who believe that it's the total calories you consume over a day that matters, not when you consume it. If we cared about calories at certain times or meals, we wouldn't have chosen MyFitnessPal, since it doesn't track that. If you asked this same question on another forum, you might get a different set of answers.

GrannyGwen1

Eating all of my calories at dinner

BUMP FOR FOLLOW UP

MsEndomorph

MyFitnessPal and other calorie trackers -- designed to track caloric intake over the day -- attract people who believe that it's the total calories you consume over a day that matters, not when you consume it. If we cared about calories at certain times or meals, we wouldn't have chosen MyFitnessPal, since it doesn't track that. If you asked this same question on another forum, you might get a different set of answers.

Truth. Opinions on forums tend to be biased without anyone really realizing it. 20 people may agree with you, but people here are self-selected.

ninerbuff

My trainer recommends 4-5 meals a day. She doesn't specify the amount of the meal but eating regularly. I think the downside of eating so much at dinner is that you don't have a lot of time to burn it off before bedtime. I think the reasoning behind the multiple meals is to give yourself energy throughout the day. But if you feel fine with what your doing, I wouldn't say to change it. But everyone is different.

If one is in calorie deficit before bedtime, then there is much burning off to do.

A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

herblackwings39

I find that timing of meals really makes little difference for me. Some days I don't start eating till 10, 12, or even 2. On some days I eat all my calories between 4pm -12am. Honestly it depends on what my day involves and whether or not I have a shift with a lunch included at work. If you're not starving all day and you have no problem eating the majority of your calories at night go ahead and do it. The most important part, in my opinion, is to keep a sensible deficit.

tworthen79

I eat like 400 for breakfast, 500 for lunch and 300 at dinner. Not past 8pm. I eat less at night, because that's when I'm less active.

CyberEd312

Meal Frequency has no bearing on weight loss... Eat your calories when it is best for you... It all comes down to personal preference......... Best of Luck

Missjulesdid

The only thing I worry about splitting up is my protein.... so I try to have 20-30 grams of protein at a meal.. I'm usually really light on calories early on in the day and heavy on calories for dinner. This is how I'm naturally hungry. If I try to eat my calories earlier on , I STILL want my calories at night too.... So I consume well over half of my calories for dinner and a nighttime snack.

ndj1979

I was not expecting such replies. I always read or heard that a balanced day should be a large breakfast, a smaller lunch and a smaller even dinner. Since food sustains your activity level throughout the day/night, your intake should match that level. I have also read that eating carbs at diner is fine, since it is energy in the making for the following day. But i wouldn't eat 900 cal at dinner and would try to spread the amount throughout the day.

don/t believe everything you read...

meal timing, metabolism, and fat loss have nothing to do with each other...

a lot of people do IF and eat one large meal post workout and are absolutely shredded and maintain low body fat...

purpleipod

The only thing that would worry me is being so hungry later that you overeat without meaning to. Other than that I don't think it really matters.