Eating lunch at 8:30 AM

kennyh75

One issue I've been dealing with over several months of maintenance.... the ravenous morning hunger I get 2 hours after breakfast. I eat a good breakfast every morning at 6:30 AM, cereal or oatmeal almost always. Then suddenly, once I'm in the office 2 hours later, I end up eating my lunch I brought in that day ... and that sustains me until dinner. The problem is if I DON'T eat lunch at that point (early), I get so hungry at noon, I end up doing something dumb like overeating at Taco Bell.

Is this wrong? Probably, but it seems to work for me.

summer8it

It really doesn't matter when you eat your meals, as long as you're timing them to manage your hunger.

You might want to experiment with adding some protein and fats to your 6:30 breakfast, to see if that keeps you satisfied a little longer. There's nothing wrong with eating cereal or oatmeal, but you can burn through a carb-only meal a lot faster than a meal that also has protein and fat.

hannahlclrk

i guess your bodys hungry by then... it doesnt have set times so just go with it, or try to curb it with a snack?

cutieryan

I have found over the years attempting to lose weight that the key to feeling fuller longer is really all about protien. Cereal or oatmeal don't last long for me, either, but an egg and toast of PB and toast will hold me over for hours and hours.

Maxibris

This seems like a relatively easy fix. If you already know you'll be hungry at 8:30, pack an extra snack! I have a coworker who actually leaves a box of instant oatmeal in his desk because he knows that around 9ish he'll be starving and won't make it to lunch.

Hope this helps!

itsfruitcake

Try a high protein breakfast, that works to keep me full. Eggs, or (greek) yogurt with fruit...

Oh yeah, and pack a snack for in between breakfast and lunch, seems fine to have a second breakfast if you get up that early.

SmartAlec03211988

I used to do the same thing - cereal or oatmeal for breakfast. Left me hungry soon after.

When I started eating no less than 40 grams of protein a morning (eggs, cheese, bacon and Greek yogurt), I can literally sometimes go all the way to dinner without feeling hungry at all.

Collier78

One issue I've been dealing with over several months of maintenance.... the ravenous morning hunger I get 2 hours after breakfast. I eat a good breakfast every morning at 6:30 AM, cereal or oatmeal almost always. Then suddenly, once I'm in the office 2 hours later, I end up eating my lunch I brought in that day ... and that sustains me until dinner. The problem is if I DON'T eat lunch at that point (early), I get so hungry at noon, I end up doing something dumb like overeating at Taco Bell.

Is this wrong? Probably, but it seems to work for me.

I'm not at maintenance, but I have the same issue. So I have changed my breakfast routine. I make a protein smoothie with frozen fruit, protein powder and almond milk (they usually run about 275 calories on average), and then 2 hours later at the office I have a light breakfast of about 200-300 calories. Then a lighter lunch, and dinner in the evening. I found splitting up my breakfast calories really helps me stay on track and curb the insane hunger I get after a run day. Hope that helps, but do what works for you...your body is telling you what you need to know.

SchroederNJ

Why not snack on a yogurt or fruit or something light to help fill time til lunch?

dcnpaul

One thing that I have discovered is that when I stay away from sugars and carbohydrates in the morning, I last much longer in not being hungry throughout the day. Then in the middle of the day I have, to the best of my ability, a balanced meal for lunch.
Good luck in maintaining all your results!

Mainey13

PROTEIN PROTEIN PROTEIN and healthy fats! They will keep you full longer. Bacon and eggs, avocado, chicken, ground turkey for breakfast.

If you're hungry - EAT! Just make sure they are healthy choices and REAL foods!

erialcelyob

In my opinion, if you are hungry - you eat. I think maybe each day gradually waiting 10 minutes or so longer before you eat your lunch and maybe eventually you can get your body into a routine

bobbi6440

I switched to steel cut oats and then a couple hour later eat a protien. It makes it easier to wait for lunch. Then I eat another small snack a few hours later and then my dinner. I keep fruits, veggies and nuts close to me at all times. My profile picture is what i used to look like. My total weight loss is at 90 lbs. My doctor also told me to use the 80/20 method which helps a lot. I pick one day a week where it is ok to have Taco Johns.

Koldnomore

One issue I've been dealing with over several months of maintenance.... the ravenous morning hunger I get 2 hours after breakfast. I eat a good breakfast every morning at 6:30 AM, cereal or oatmeal almost always. Then suddenly, once I'm in the office 2 hours later, I end up eating my lunch I brought in that day ... and that sustains me until dinner. The problem is if I DON'T eat lunch at that point (early), I get so hungry at noon, I end up doing something dumb like overeating at Taco Bell.

Is this wrong? Probably, but it seems to work for me.

If it ain't broke don't fix it. I'd say judging by your ticker you are just fine. I eat nonstop between about 7 and noon so I know all about eating your lunch early. Hasn't seemed to affect me at all either. Congratulations on your loss

kowajenn

Add some protein to that breakfast and you'll last a lot longer and take mid morning and mid afternoon snacks to work with you.

kennyh75

I think my issue, despite my success over the past 2 years, continues to be my continued psychological insistence to "backload" my day.... I like to have at least 1700 kcals available prior to 6 PM (even before workout), so I can eat and drink well in the evening. I still struggle with this to this day.

csuhar

I think my issue, despite my success over the past 2 years, continues to be my continued psychological insistence to "backload" my day.... I like to have at least 1700 kcals available prior to 6 PM (even before workout), so I can eat and drink well in the evening. I still struggle with this to this day.

This may be another area where, if it's working for you, you should feel free to roll with it. As long as you're reaching your goals safely, then it doesn't matter if you eat lunch at 0830 or bank a set number of calories for the evening.

I used to do something similar- plan to have 2/3 of my daily calories at work so that, when I went home and was able to eat dinner with friends and family, I had breathing room. Then, if dinner didn't take me up to my goal level, I could top it off with snacks.

nxd10

One issue I've been dealing with over several months of maintenance.... the ravenous morning hunger I get 2 hours after breakfast. I eat a good breakfast every morning at 6:30 AM, cereal or oatmeal almost always. Then suddenly, once I'm in the office 2 hours later, I end up eating my lunch I brought in that day ... and that sustains me until dinner. The problem is if I DON'T eat lunch at that point (early), I get so hungry at noon, I end up doing something dumb like overeating at Taco Bell.

Is this wrong? Probably, but it seems to work for me.

I'm going to guess your breakfast is high in carbs and low in protein.

When I eat waffles or oatmeal for breakfast, I am STARVING two hours later. It's caused by the fact that they are easy to digest and cause an insulin spike. That pulls all the sugar out of your bloodstream. This tells your brain you are hungry. It should happen two hours after you eat.

Eating less processed carbs will help. Whole grain oatmeal ('Scottish oatmeal') will be better. So will less processed cereal. I eat muesli or granola with yogurt or eggs plus a piece of fruit and have no problems.

Alternatively, you could try adding more protein, which is slower to digest so after you get the first rush, your body will start to process the proteins.

P.S. re backloading. I also backload a bit, but my breakfast is only 200 calories at most and I still have 600 at dinner.

nxd10

Wow I think that is the biggest consensus I've ever seen on this site!

AlsDonkBoxSquat

Meal timing is unimportant, however if this is psychologically effecting you, plan for it and eat that breakfast, have a snack, and eat a smaller lunch.

verptwerp

Found by trial & error that foods like oatmeal, cereal, and toast only make me hungrier ......

I eat protein & veggies for breakfast ..... I make a dozen hardboiled eggs each week (hubby eats a few) and a boatload of roasted or sauteed veggies ......... an egg or 2 with veggies makes a filling breakfast ...... or dinner leftovers (steak, porkchop) instead of the egg ...... try it :drinker:

lauren3101

Everyone seems to be trying to suggest a solution - but there is no problem.

OP, you said that when you eat lunch at 8:30, it sustains you till dinner? If that is the case, then keep doing what you are doing. If you were saying you eat lunch at 8:30 and are then starving by noon, I'd tell you to eat more protein, have a later breakfast, etc etc.

Meal timings have no bearing whatsoever on weight loss. A calorie deficit does.

supermumincanada

Think if it's working for you, then it isn't wrong. I also like to save calories for the evening cause I like eating best then. Suppose you could try some of the suggestions and see if they work better for you, failing that stick to what works for you.

AlsDonkBoxSquat

I think my issue, despite my success over the past 2 years, continues to be my continued psychological insistence to "backload" my day.... I like to have at least 1700 kcals available prior to 6 PM (even before workout), so I can eat and drink well in the evening. I still struggle with this to this day.

I guess I'm trying to understand why this is an issue or a concern of yours. If that's how you want to consume your calories and it's working for you, why fret? I've always backloaded my day because I know that I like to eat more at dinner and I tend to snack in the evenings. There's nothing wrong with it as long as I do it properly, so i accomodate for it . . . and that made me successful. It's only when I decided to go against what my body was telling me was it's norm that I started backsliding.

TheSaoirseTree

I used to be the same way. I started bringing a snack, in addition to my lunch. I usually pick something with a little protein like cottage cheese or yogurt. In time, I didn't feel so deprived at lunch.

I eat breakfast at about 6 and my snack around 9-10 am. I usually eat lunch closer to noon. In the afternoon, I get hungry again around 2, but I don't get to eat because work is sooo busy at that time.

jackjackattck

I am probably just reiterating what most others have said, but here is my advice:

1. Eat more protein for breakfast! Have eggs, peanut butter, maybe even some meat. That will keep you full much longer than all of the sugar and carbs will.

2. Bring a snack to eat mid-morning and another one to eat mid-afternoon. I eat breakfast at 5:30 AM, and my lunch break at work is at 11. At about 8-8:30 AM, I eat a snack. A cheese stick and some nuts, yogurt, trail mix. I also have a second snack planned for about 2 PM, when I would be hitting the vending machine to stay awake at work. Packing my lunch with all of these snacks has been a life saver!

You should be eating every few hours anyway, not too many people would be able to last 5-6 hours without eating, especially if their last meal had little to no protein.

This has worked for me! Good luck=]

rileyhunter169

Your big problem; your breakfast is crap, too full of carbs, literally almost no fat or protein, all you'll do is raise your insulin for an hour then crash. Try something with more fat and protein like an omelet with meat and vegetables (pre cook tilapia and throw it in there with cheese and spinach and onions), wash it down with almond milk. I don't wanna here "I don't have the time" or "my cholesterol is bad and doctor told me to stop eating eggs". You have time, just wake up earlier and eat something sustainable. Eggs don't actually make your cholesterol worse and they are more nutrient dense than cereal or oats; all that choline, monounsaturated fat, B vitamins, Protein, etc. Eggs take as much time as oats as well. 5-10min. That should sustain you until at least lunch; make your own food; potatoes and chicken breast with spinach salad (made with cottage cheese dressing) is good, something like that. Then you won't have to give into crap at dinner. Coffee is a beautiful appetite suppressant as well. Eggs and potatoes are magical dieting foods that are under rated.

tigermail_82

I have been drinking shakes in the morning. 1 carrot, frz strawberry, pineapple and spinach with some o.j. or really whatever you have in the fridge. Sounds kinds gross but its good. healthy and keeps hunger subsided. You should try it.

gretchen888

I think it is fine as long as you don't eat a second lunch and are okay until dinner. I would try adding some protein to your breakfast. Oatmeal never keeps me feeling full. I either have some peanut butter or turkey sausage or bacon. Helps me feel fuller longer. But, I find I eat most of my calories for the day before 4 pm. I just am not hungry at night (or maybe I am more busy at night and don't think about it as much). I figure as long as I am hitting my calorie count, it is all good!

Linli_Anne

I'm an early lunch eater too.

I eat my breakfast (either an egg sandwich, cereal, oats) at home around 7AM, and by 9AM I am ready to eat. I bring a morning snack with me - usually a granola bar, yogurt, fruit. It holds me another couple of hours until I need to eat lunch around 11:30. I usually want to eat again by 2, and am ready for supper by 5.

kerve13

"It seems to work for me."

Well then, don't fix it. Everyone's advice is based on their experience or conclusions drawn from studies of many people (in essence, an average). Neither of those approaches will be more relevant than what works for you and your body.