Calorie Timing

kristan_manley
kristan_manley Posts: 7
in Health and Weight Loss
So while i know that calories in and out are the key to weight loss is there a recomended structure for when those calories are eaten?
I have heard before that breakfast should be the biggest meal because then you have time to burn the calories vs a large dinner that allows your body to store it while you sleep. I have also heard small snacks throughout the day vs 3 big meals is best because your body can metabolise (is that a word) it better.
Opinions on any of these?

Replies

  • TurtleTape
    TurtleTape Posts: 254 Member
    Experiment and find which one works best for you. When you get your calories really doesn't matter. Personally, I'm less likely to go over if I do an intermittent fasting style diet where I only eat from, say, four to ten PM. Some people do better with many small meals/snacks per day. It's a very individual thing.
  • mamadon
    mamadon Posts: 1,422 Member
    It doesn't matter in the least. Whatever works best for you.
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    Skip breakfast if you want. Your body does not care when you eat. It only cares about the totals at the end of the day.

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3787246/
  • steve0820
    steve0820 Posts: 510 Member
    It doesn't matter in the least. Whatever works best for you.

    I agree!

    If you talk to 10 different people on here, I'm sure they will all have different timing, meal#, breakfast, no breakfast, some do IF, some don't.

    Whatever you can consistently do, that works within your schedule, is what will work best for you.

    I work straight nights. I eat from 10pm until around 2pm the next day, and that's how I personally log.

    Hit your macros daily/weekly, rinse and repeat.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    So while i know that calories in and out are the key to weight loss is there a recomended structure for when those calories are eaten?
    I have heard before that breakfast should be the biggest meal because then you have time to burn the calories vs a large dinner that allows your body to store it while you sleep. I have also heard small snacks throughout the day vs 3 big meals is best because your body can metabolise (is that a word) it better.
    Opinions on any of these?
    Meal timing and size have nothing to do with weight loss. The only requirement to lose weight is to eat less calories than you burn. Period. :smile:
  • gotolam
    gotolam Posts: 262 Member
    Skip breakfast if you want. Your body does not care when you eat. It only cares about the totals at the end of the day.

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3787246/

    You do realize the article you cite states the opposite right?
  • sexymamadraeger
    sexymamadraeger Posts: 239 Member
    I will say though that eating smaller meals and more frequently keeps you more even. You never just drop and feel like you have to peel yourself off the floor. LOL
  • phoenixx866
    phoenixx866 Posts: 173 Member
    You could ask 5 different people the same question and I'm pretty sure you'll get 5 different answers.

    Me personally, I have a light breakfast (300 calories), a medium lunch (500) calories and whatever remains is my dinner/snacks. Haven't had an issue yet.

    There are some days where I wake up late (10am late) and I'm just /not hungry at all/ until 2pm or so. I'll skip breakfast on those days. I'm still losing.
  • crikey_katie
    crikey_katie Posts: 136 Member
    I have heard sever different opinions on this, honestly I think it depends on the individual. I have lose 70 pounds by eating frequently through out the day. Small meals and snacks.
  • TurtleTape
    TurtleTape Posts: 254 Member
    I will say though that eating smaller meals and more frequently keeps you more even. You never just drop and feel like you have to peel yourself off the floor. LOL

    That really depends on the person. For many eating many small meals just triggers a need for grazing, which leads to eating more. I know I can't do multiple small meals, because I just want more food an hour or so later. Stuffing myself once or twice a day is more satisfying.
  • simplydelish2
    simplydelish2 Posts: 726 Member
    Everyone will have a different opinion on this. I say the best timing of calories is to eat when you are hungry. With that said - I am not a breakfast eater (coffee, or a coffee protein shake is about it). I try not to eat to close to bedtime - just because I know I sleep better on an empty stomach. And, if I eat a bunch of small meals instead of a couple of larger ones I never feel satisfied.

    In all the nutrition studying I've done - and it's been a lot - I've seen "studies" that say eat a big breakfast, I've seen "studies" that say you don't need breakfast (IF is a trend and most who follow this don't eat breakfast). You'll find "studies" that say whatever you want to believe. Do your self a favor and eat on your schedule. As long as you are eating at a deficit...you are good to go.

    Good luck!

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