Interesting observation...

mommyami1

I am a grazer, or at least I used to be, I guess. I had been going about eating about 5 mini meals a day, all about the same calorie value. This is just what I've always done. At one point I even had a watch with a timer on it so i wouldn't "forget" one of my meals for fear of wanting to eat a horse later. But today I had a pretty big breakfast, a decent sized lunch, and a small dinner, with no snacks in between. I am not hungry! I have not been hungry all day, really. Not like I am when I graze. Has this happened to anyone else? Where their eating style just changes? Could it have been my pregnancy over a year ago that changed the way my body uses food? I find this to be very interesting.

dancer4275

neve tried. but I always feel like the more mini meals I eat, the more I'm just fueling my appetite...it's so frustrating!

saltorian

Eating lots of mini meals seems to make me hungrier, too, even when I make sure to include fiber and protein with every one. :-(

cownancy

My opinion (and this is just an opinion) is that it can be good to change up things every once in a while! My plan provides for three smaller sized meals and two snacks (i.e. piece of fruit, pudding, etc.). I don't always choose the right foods for each meal, but I try to eat every 4-5 hours and because I am taking in 1500 calories a day, I DO want the next meal or snack. But, not everyone does well on this pattern. As long as you are getting in enough calories, without TOO many and you meet your minimum nutritional requirements, you should be good.

Everyone has to find out what works for them. I'm glad that this new pattern is working for you!!!

cmriverside

Yeah, grazing is one thing, but the 5-6 small meals a day on a schedule doesn't work for me. I spend too much time thinking about, planning for and logging food.

But I tried. I'm back at three meals a day with a small late night snack....for the most part.

Some days grazing is better, some days 3 hots are better.

So, I guess yes, my desires change all over the place.

lalalazzz

I find it personally best for me to eat small meals, all day, to prevent over eating. I am never hungry bc I'm always eating. But on weekends, when I'm with my bf and we eat together I tend to eat a bigger breakfast, bigger lunch and bigger dinner with little- no snacks. That works too... but during the week I'm best when I'm always eating.

See_Jenn_Run

I read an article in Runner's World with this quote from Leslie Bonci, a registered dietitian, "Cows graze. People shouldn't." The article says that grazing puts you into a mode where you're always expecting food so you can't tell if you're actually hungry or not. It recommends dividing up your calories into 3 meals and 1 or 2 snacks, spaced between 3-5 hours apart.

I used to always get hungry when I'd graze less than 3 hours apart but now that I try to space my meals, it's a little better. Lately for me though, the evening hits and it all goes to seed then! My eating habits have sometimes changed a little bit naturally, but any big overhaul like what you've done has been conscious for me.

mommyami1

Thanks for all the insight! I think I'm going to teach myself a new habit and start preparing bigger meals. I tried this morning but didn't end up with as many cals as I thought I would. Then I added a brown rice concoction to my salad for lunch. We'll see if my body cooperates. @See_Jenn_Run- love that quote. I'm going to try and remember that one!