What Should I Eat And When?

Aprilfoolbride

I’m hungriest from after work until bed and that’s when I am most likely to make unhealthy choices.

I usually eat like this during the week:
7 am protein shake (365 whey protein powder + almond milk, sometimes ½ a frozen banana or pb) or protein bar with fruit
10 am morning snack (usually oatmeal, fage or cottage cheese with fruit or goat cheese with fruit and almonds)
12:30 lunch (leftovers, big salad with protein, or lean cuisine with veggies)
3:30/4 afternoon snack (usually a lot of carrots, a pound or so, egg whites & hummus, fruit, and if I’m still hungry, protein bar)
DANGER TIME BEGINS
6:30 Man-alive-I’m-hungry-but-let’s-put-the-toddler-down-first evening snack (protein bar or protein shake or cheese & crackers or less healthy choices)
7:30/8 dinner then sugar-free treat like TJ’s sugar free chocolate almonds or Atkins PB cups

I try to have family dinner at least a few times a week and it’s better for my hunger but it can be harder (and less enjoyable) than feeding the kid first then eating with my hubs after. I am open to any suggestions on how to rearrange my meals or make different choices.

lemonsnowdrop

Eat what you want whenever you want. Timing doesn't matter, and what you eat doesn't matter from a strictly weight loss point of view (though I would stress getting enough protein each day). I'm an afternoon/night eater, so I usually don't eat "breakfast" until 11 or 12. If you're hungrier later, eat later. Most of my meals are consumed within 8 hours. Timing is unimportant when it comes to consumption!

tmcoyle

You are eating 6 times a day that is GREAT!!! You are getting your complex carb in during the morning that is also GREAT! I would shy away from frozen dinners as they have a lot of sodium and when you microwave it, it depletes any nutritients that were in there. Your afternoon snack should be high in protein to curb your appetite, 12 almonds, egg, lean meats (not process cold meat), peanut butter on celery. You should be eating every 2-3 hours and you are doing a GREAT job of this.

diannethegeek

Eat what you want whenever you want. Timing doesn't matter, and what you eat doesn't matter from a strictly weight loss point of view (though I would stress getting enough protein each day). I'm an afternoon/night eater, so I usually don't eat "breakfast" until 11 or 12. If you're hungrier later, eat later. Most of my meals are consumed within 8 hours. Timing is unimportant when it comes to consumption!

^This.

Eat foods that you like in portions that fit your goals. Get plenty of protein to help repair and retain lean muscle and enough fat to keep your hormones balanced, etc. Eat your vegetables to help get your micronutrients. As long as you're hitting your other goals, snacks or foods that are considered less healthy are fine.

Meal timing won't make much if any difference to your weight loss and sustainability for you and your family is more important than eating on the "perfect" schedule. It's okay to play around with your meals to find what works best for you.

I'll also add a note that it seems like your calorie goal might be low based on the sample day you've given us. It might not be a bad idea to double-check that your calorie goal is set accurately. Low calorie goals can make it a lot harder to stick to a diet long-term.

Laurenloveswaffles

Eat whatever you want (within your calorie goal), whenever you want.

thavoice

You are eating 6 times a day that is GREAT!!! You are getting your complex carb in during the morning that is also GREAT! I would shy away from frozen dinners as they have a lot of sodium and when you microwave it, it depletes any nutritients that were in there. Your afternoon snack should be high in protein to curb your appetite, 12 almonds, egg, lean meats (not process cold meat), peanut butter on celery. You should be eating every 2-3 hours and you are doing a GREAT job of this.

Who says you should be eating ever 2-3 hours?

That has been debunked time and time again.

If one does it with success?

Great.

But it is not needed to lose weight.

lindsey1979

It really only matters what works for you. Some people like to eat often because it can help them stabilize their blood sugar and insulin levels -- that eating this way is simply easier for them. Others, like to eat just one or two big meals a day, and that works better for them.

The only differences I've seen in meal timing is if you're intermittent fasting. Some IFing has been shown to increase insulin sensitivity (so if this a problem for you, it could be a big help) and a positive shift in IGF-2 involving cellular repair. The benefits of the IGF-2 shift are still in the speculative phase, but look promising.

hill8570

If you're hungriest at night, shift your calorie intake so you have more calories budgeted for the evening.