Is gorging once as bad as regular slight overeating?

MatthewLewis81

I have a theory that eating a really big, disgustingly-huge meal every once in awhile isn't as bad as slight, but consistent, overeating.

Specifically, I've noticed that if I overeat just a little for a couple of weeks (e.g., eating normally except for adding a few of my wife's chocolate chip cookies per day), I'll gain weight. However, if I eat normally for those same two weeks, with the exception of stuffing myself silly at a buffet once, I stay static.

My theory is that the buffet provides far too many calories for my body to actually metabolize before they're eliminated, therefore resulting in far fewer excess calories than a straight calorie count would indicate.

Is there any truth to this theory?

dgoradia

http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/the-hormones-of-bodyweight-regulation-leptin-part-1.html

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11126336?ordinalpos=47&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

MatthewLewis81

Thank you for these links. I read them both and gather that leptin has something to do with my question, but evidently I'm not learned enough to see exactly how the studies referenced either support or debunk my theory. Are you saying that leptin levels spike after a heavy meal, and that's the reason an occasional stuffing doesn't seem to negatively impact my weight?

The other thing I noticed is that at least one of the studies was regarding obese individuals. I'm overweight, but not obese, so if I'm reading correctly, that may also have relevance to my leptin levels, right?

MoreBean13

Short answer: No, long term overeating is way worse and an occasional calorie surplus can be beneficial.

But, it's important to note that your long term calorie surplus/deficit overall determines your success. If you have gorges too frequently, the only benefit would be if you're trying to fit in to bigger pants.

symonspatrick

I have eaten 6300 calories in one day and have also eaten 0 calories in one day. One day of 0 calories did not make me skinny and one day of 6300 calories did not make me fat. However I do average my calories by the week and by the month and try to stay within a certain range to reach my goals. If I were to slightly overeat on a regular basis then I would slightly gain weight on a regular basis. If I gorge on excess calories and eat at maintainence the rest of the week I would also slightly gain weight. If the gorging puts you over your weekly calorie goal and you gain weight then yes it is just as bad as regular slight overeating.
Congratulations on your weight loss you have done an awesome job!

nobbta

I guess it depends on the individual, but would once a month be considered too frequent?

mjschumacher100

Once a month isn't too frequent, I have at least one gorge a week, I tend to save it for a Saturday night But then last night I hate a 1500 calorie bar of chocolate and overate by around 4000 calories in total. I do make sure I still track everything.

BUT, and there is a but, there can be psychological issues for people. Especially those who are obese or very overweight, having those kinds of meals has a lasting effect, not only do they do it too frequently it depresses them, demotivates them and actually makes them feel guilty.

If that's you then I would suggest not playing around with food intake like that because it's a slippery slope.

It's a bit like the clean eating thing. To me clean eating is nonsense. No one can define clean anyway and it's different for anyone. Plus it's just someone arbitrary standard and so on. I have 'unclean' foods every day. However for those who have eating issues or mental issues with food or those who are/were obese then really stick to broccoli and chicken until those issues are resolved because if like me you throw ice cream or popcorn into the mix everyday it can cause huge issues.

jen_zz

Bumping, also curious

dgoradia

I have a theory that eating a really big, disgustingly-huge meal every once in awhile isn't as bad as slight, but consistent, overeating.

Specifically, I've noticed that if I overeat just a little for a couple of weeks (e.g., eating normally except for adding a few of my wife's chocolate chip cookies per day), I'll gain weight. However, if I eat normally for those same two weeks, with the exception of stuffing myself silly at a buffet once, I stay static.

The studies seem to support this in part.^

My theory is that the buffet provides far too many calories for my body to actually metabolize before they're eliminated, therefore resulting in far fewer excess calories than a straight calorie count would indicate.

Is there any truth to this theory?

No, you just store the excess kcals, in fat cells.

nobbta

For me, one a week is too frequent, it's like having a 'cheat meal' which I don't agree with. Once a month Sunday roast would suit me perfectly. It's far enough apart to keep my weight on track, but far enough apart to feel like a treat.

magerum

I have a theory that eating a really big, disgustingly-huge meal every once in awhile isn't as bad as slight, but consistent, overeating.

Specifically, I've noticed that if I overeat just a little for a couple of weeks (e.g., eating normally except for adding a few of my wife's chocolate chip cookies per day), I'll gain weight. However, if I eat normally for those same two weeks, with the exception of stuffing myself silly at a buffet once, I stay static.

The studies seem to support this in part.^

My theory is that the buffet provides far too many calories for my body to actually metabolize before they're eliminated, therefore resulting in far fewer excess calories than a straight calorie count would indicate.

Is there any truth to this theory?

No, you just store the excess kcals, in fat cells.

Actually, check out this new study. It appears there might be some validity to that theory.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23913807
"Short-term overeating results in incomplete energy intake compensation..."

JDHINAZ

If you're overeating only once every few weeks, you're probably not consuming the amount of the deficit you created in that time. In regards to your body eliminating cals not needed, if true, then no one would be fat.

wild_wild_life

I would think slight overeating might not be enough to trigger much increase in satiety so the excess intake doesn't result in reduced intake later. Whereas a single large meal might trigger it enough that you do compensate later by eating less. Because leptin.

lkhaycook

bump

MatthewLewis81

If you're overeating only once every few weeks, you're probably not consuming the amount of the deficit you created in that time. In regards to your body eliminating cals not needed, if true, then no one would be fat.

That's not what I'm talking about - what I mean is, if I eat a really heavy meal, does the sheer mass of food cause a lot of calories to just wind up getting passed before they can be absorbed? I think that's the case, but was interested in other perspectives.

Vailara

I don't know the answer, but I'm wondering if it might be simply about the numbers? Obviously eating an extra 300 calories a day is going to add more calories over the week (2100) than one 1000 calorie meal a week.

Also, the 300 calorie snacks are extra, on top of your calorie allowance. Whereas the 1000 calorie meal is probably replacing a meal of, say, 500 calories, so is only actually adding an extra 500 calories. Obviously, your actual figures may vary!

PippiNe

I can't validate your theory, only share my experience earlier this week. I hit my weight loss goal on the same day as my birthday and wedding anniversary. I decided I would have a guilt-free splurge day. I ate my normal breakfast, did my daily workout, and ate a slightly bigger lunch than normal. I also had a piece of bday cake for a mid afternoon snack. But for supper, I ate a huge plate of shrimp and veggie linguini in a rich buttery sauce, dinner roll, salad, pie for dessert and another piece of bday cake for a midnight snack. The next morning I weighed in 3 lbs heavier than the day before. While I ate an obscene amount of calories, I know I did not consume enough to really gain 3 lbs of fat. I suspect I did, however, eat enough for my body to replenish my glycogen stores and that's why the extra lbs on the scale. I am now working to get rid of them again ( I am pretty sure it won't take long, as they are not "fat" lbs per se.

Maybe the difference is that my binge happened over the course of a half of a day rather than one sit-down meal.

Donald_Dozier_50

Calorie intake / calories burned............. that is what matters.

MY THEORY is when you complicate things trying to justify overeating, all at once or over a period of time, you will get what you get.

Your real question is, "Is my overeating better than other people's so I can feel better about it?" I am thinking it really does not matter. You are free to do what you feel is right for you. For me, it is to stick to my set calories every day.

Donald_Dozier_50

I don't know the answer, but I'm wondering if it might be simply about the numbers? Obviously eating an extra 300 calories a day is going to add more calories over the week (2100) than one 1000 calorie meal a week.

Also, the 300 calorie snacks are extra, on top of your calorie allowance. Whereas the 1000 calorie meal is probably replacing a meal of, say, 500 calories, so is only actually adding an extra 500 calories. Obviously, your actual figures may vary!

Makes sense

WaterBunnie

I would think slight overeating might not be enough to trigger much increase in satiety so the excess intake doesn't result in reduced intake later. Whereas a single large meal might trigger it enough that you do compensate later by eating less. Because leptin.

This is what I was thinking. Usually if I've had a lot of food one day I'm not so hungry the next.

Fiona_Cami89

I think having one day a week where you have one higher calorie snack or meal that you wouldn't allow yourself otherwise should be fine, as long as it is only a one off and you aren't over-eating all day long. For example, I might have a Mars bar on a Saturday...whilst it is almost 300 kcals, I'm not having that followed by McDonalds, Pizza Hut and donuts all in one day...you know? lol

Basically, if we never gave ourselves a treat now and again, most of us would fall spectacularly off the wagon. Just make sure you aren't eating more than the calorie amount it would take to maintain your weight

tomcornhole

I have been cheating every Saturday for the past 80 weeks or so. Usually 4,000-6,000 calorie days. Never effected my weight loss. I kept doing it in maintenance and never effected my maintenance. That's one data point for half your hypothesis. I have not eaten at a surplus for a long time, but when I did before dieting I gained 30 pounds over a 4 year period. So I guess that counts.

helpfit101

I have been cheating every Saturday for the past 80 weeks or so. Usually 4,000-6,000 calorie days. Never effected my weight loss. I kept doing it in maintenance and never effected my maintenance. That's one data point for half your hypothesis. I have not eaten at a surplus for a long time, but when I did before dieting I gained 30 pounds over a 4 year period. So I guess that counts.

That's fine and all.. but obviously if you do the same thing right/wrong every day/week you have based your regular calories on that.

So that means if you overeat by 3500 calories on every Saturday you could be eating 3500/7=500 calories more on every day of the week.

That's why it doesn't matter if you over or underestimate calories or exercise either. As long as on average you always do it wrong the same way.

harleygroomer

the occasional binge isn't what will set you back. Over eating has lead us ALL here--but that being said, why do you FEEL the need to binge at a buffet? It isn't as if the food is really good in these places. Take pride in spending the same money you waste at one of these buffet dumps and learn to cook a wonderful meal for your self. You will be shocked at what so little can create.

tomcornhole

That's fine and all.. but obviously if you do the same thing right/wrong every day/week you have based your regular calories on that.

So that means if you overeat by 3500 calories on every Saturday you could be eating 3500/7=500 calories more on every day of the week.

That's why it doesn't matter if you over or underestimate calories or exercise either. As long as on average you always do it wrong the same way.

Agree.

wild_wild_life

If you're overeating only once every few weeks, you're probably not consuming the amount of the deficit you created in that time. In regards to your body eliminating cals not needed, if true, then no one would be fat.

That's not what I'm talking about - what I mean is, if I eat a really heavy meal, does the sheer mass of food cause a lot of calories to just wind up getting passed before they can be absorbed? I think that's the case, but was interested in other perspectives.

Failure to absorb all calories from food definitely happens -- in fact I think they just changed the calorie count of almonds for this reason. You can also do things to increase the rate of passage of food through the GI tract to decrease the calories absorbed (at least according to Tim Ferriss). I've never heard of it happening due to the volume of food consumed, and I think that even if it did it would probably make a negligible difference.

jen_zz

How about if the excess calories are the same for both cases?

Say my calorie limit is 2000 cals per day. One scenario is I eat 4100 calories (2100 over) on Monday, then for the rest of the week I eat at 2000 per day.

In another scenario I eat 2300 cals a day for a week so 300 over per day and total 2100 over for the week.

Given the excess amount is the same, would I gain 0.6 pounds in both cases? Or in the first scenario I might gain a tad less?

Ophidion

A controlled refeed can be beneficial for the body or so I believe but consistent bad eating habits are what got most people over weight.

DavPul

If you're overeating only once every few weeks, you're probably not consuming the amount of the deficit you created in that time. In regards to your body eliminating cals not needed, if true, then no one would be fat.

That's not what I'm talking about - what I mean is, if I eat a really heavy meal, does the sheer mass of food cause a lot of calories to just wind up getting passed before they can be absorbed? I think that's the case, but was interested in other perspectives.

no. you're looking for magic where none exists. it's pure, simple math.

overeat at the buffet one time probably results in a 1500 over tdee day at most. overeat by 300-500 cals per day and at the end of the month you've packed in 9000-15000 of excess cals. 10x the amount of cals from one day at the All You Can Eat chinese joint.

LorinaLynn

If you're overeating only once every few weeks, you're probably not consuming the amount of the deficit you created in that time. In regards to your body eliminating cals not needed, if true, then no one would be fat.

That's not what I'm talking about - what I mean is, if I eat a really heavy meal, does the sheer mass of food cause a lot of calories to just wind up getting passed before they can be absorbed? I think that's the case, but was interested in other perspectives.

[/quote]

Is this what happens with competitive eaters?

Kobayashi can eat 60 hot dogs in about 2 and a half minutes.

Irenaekl

If you're overeating only once every few weeks, you're probably not consuming the amount of the deficit you created in that time. In regards to your body eliminating cals not needed, if true, then no one would be fat.

That's not what I'm talking about - what I mean is, if I eat a really heavy meal, does the sheer mass of food cause a lot of calories to just wind up getting passed before they can be absorbed? I think that's the case, but was interested in other perspectives.

NO..thinking that is just deluding yourself! Eating a really large heavy meals does not cause lots of calories to pass through before being absorbed. If that was the case we could all eat huge meals all the time and none of us would be fat.....I wish!!!!

A large meal just takes longer to be digested but the calories stay with you