Anyone stick to only 3 large meals per day?

kimber607

Hi all

From everything I've read/heard the wave seems to be to eat 6 meals/snacks a day....3 larger meals with 2-3 snacks
I've always been a grazer and even now, eat every 2-3 hrs.....I eat more because of the time than hunger..usually
I find this to be a cinch when I am out/busy but much more difficult when I am home

I'm currently reading a book called The sugar addict's recovery program (something like that)
and it recs protein with every meal and eating 3 regular meals at set times every day
This is supposed to be a way to teach your body to eat when u are hungry by having a start/stop time to eat
Something about it doesn't sit right..for me....just wondering if anyone has tried this approach or has anything to add?
The books also notes that for those of us that eat compulsively....eating more often can lead to binges etc

Thanks, kim

kimber607

Hi all

From everything I've read/heard the wave seems to be to eat 6 meals/snacks a day....3 larger meals with 2-3 snacks
I've always been a grazer and even now, eat every 2-3 hrs.....I eat more because of the time than hunger..usually
I find this to be a cinch when I am out/busy but much more difficult when I am home

I'm currently reading a book called The sugar addict's recovery program (something like that)
and it recs protein with every meal and eating 3 regular meals at set times every day
This is supposed to be a way to teach your body to eat when u are hungry by having a start/stop time to eat
Something about it doesn't sit right..for me....just wondering if anyone has tried this approach or has anything to add?
The books also notes that for those of us that eat compulsively....eating more often can lead to binges etc

Thanks, kim

Phoenix_Rising

I only eat 3 regular meals, with one planned night time snack to keep my sweet tooth/night time binging in check.

I don't have time for 6 meals a day... I'm too busy posting on MFP to eat that often!! :laugh:

iTim__

I usually have 3 meals a day too, but it depends. If I am bored at the office, I might crave a snack... so I keep some low calorie ones handy, just in case.

Lots of people have 5, 6 or more small meals a day... I don't really worry too much about the frequency. I focus on the math (calories, etc.).

Jackie_W

Hmmm, not too sure about 6 smaller meals = binge eating.
I find that I have to eat 6 smaller meals a day or I DO binge.
As a diabetic, I have to eat every few hours to regulate my sugar, so it can't be that bad to eat often.
Occassionally, if I'm genuinely not hungry, I'll skip a snack, but NEVER a meal

I eat 3 proper meals and then 3 snacks, which consist of either a piece of fruit, raw carrots, a cereal bar- less than 100 cals, or a sandwich - using 40 cal sliced bread - works for me - I think, at the end of the day, you have to do what's right for you. :flowerforyou:

BrenNew

I only eat 3 regular meals, with one planned night time snack to keep my sweet tooth/night time binging in check.

I don't have time for 6 meals a day... I'm too busy posting on MFP to eat that often!! :laugh:

I'm with Lauryn. I eat 3 regular meals, a few snacks throught the day, (apple, Special K or Fiber One bar) and then try to always have a night time snack of Edy's slow churned no sugar added icecream! YUM!

keiko

I do eat at pretty close to the same times during the day. Only because that is when I get hungry so maybe I have trained myself.
Breakfast about 7:30am
Lunch between 11-12
snack around 2 or 3
Dinner 5
snack between 7 &8
If I get hungry before lunch I eat some fruit.
I am home all day. I don't know how I'd do if I was out. But so far this has worked for me.
But I don't eat if I'm not hungry. That to me would leave me feeling icky.

_Pepper_

I do much better if I eat regular, filling meals without snacking.

tashjs21

I eat 3 small meals a day. (maybe one of those is large, depending on the size of the others)

I tried doing the two snacks a day when I started MFP but that is too much for me. I simply can't eat that often....it actually causes me to eat more than I really want. So now after a year of cutting back portion sizes and listening to my body. I eat breakfast, lunch and dinner and I quit eating when I am full. (which was rare before...I was a member of the big eyes/clean plate club)

Listen to your body, it'll tell you what is right.

kimber607

Thanks everyone for your insight....
I might give it a try....the book actually recs. 3 meals per day then a baked potato or high protein snack (oatmeal etc) before bed...it's supposed to help reduce sugar cravings etc
So, it really is 3 large meals and 1 snack
If i give it a whirl, I'll post how it turns out

Thanks for your input, Kim