I only eat dinner...good or bad?

cprys8942

I haven't weighed myself in over a week but yes, I've lost about 15 pounds since August. I don't really keep track of when I eat breakfast and when I don't but lately I haven't been eating til dinner. I guess I'm just worried that if I eat during the day I'll be so hungry at night that I'll just pig out. Losing weight in college is seriously harder than it sounds because everything is buffet styled and I have terrible foods to choose from. Thankfully, I've mostly managed to stay away from the bad stuff. Also...if you don't allow yourself to eat at least some foods that you like once in a while, you're more likely to cheat and binge. this isn't scientific, it's common sense. So when I only eat dinner I feel better knowing that if I happen to eat something that's less than completely healthy, as long as I'm under 1200 calories for the day then I don't hate myself for it. I'm sure a lot of people losing weight have a problem with feeling guilty no matter what they eat. Well that's me.

TheBraveryLover

There's a lot of misinformation in here OP. I'd advise you to read this thread: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/348521-intermittent-fasting-support-group

And just so you know, before this week, I was eating 1000-1400 calorie dinners and only 2 meals per day. I kept losing fat, inches, and pounds. I've lowered my daily caloric intake this week (because I was losing 1 pound a week and I want to lose more), but still, my dinners will be at minimum 800 cals. Please take all opinions into consideration, not just the ones who claim what you're doing is unhealthy, without trying it out themselves.:flowerforyou:

suzwirthlin

College is no excuse - it will be hard when you are working full time, or even at home or taking care of kids. No matter when/where it is hard and you have to change your lifestyle. If you are just caring for yourself you should have no problem packing a healthy lunch, preparing a healthy dinner. Set good habits now for later on. With a little bit of planning you can eat better. Most people I know who loose weight and keep it off get used to bringing food to work, to and from school, while traveling etc. This saves money and calories. Good luck!

cprys8942

I don't plan on having children, and I can't pack a healthy lunch when I don't have food in my dorm and I can't eat in class..

PB67

advise from a registered and licensed dietitian at the Mayo Clinic

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/food-and-nutrition/AN01119

Meh. Unsupported opinion. Throw that one in the trash.

Here's another article from WebMD, it was reviewed by an MD

http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/lose-weight-eat-breakfast

Correlation =/= Causation

For example, FTA:

"They found that regular breakfast eaters were more likely to exercise regularly."

Or perhaps, people who exercise regularly are more likely to eat breakfast. This is the problem with epidemiological studies, there is no way to draw a causal relationship.

Elizabeth_C34

Don't worry about it. There are days when I am working nonstop from 7am to 7pm and don't get to eat but one large meal when I get home and a bit of fruit or a little ice cream before bed. 22 lbs lost already.

As long as you don't go over your calorie goal for the day, it's just fine.

suzwirthlin

yes you can!! go to a store, buy a small cooler if you need to, or a small refrigerator. eat a small snack when you can while walking to the next class. i've been there and i know how hard it is with everyone eating garbage!! it will be harder not to eat all day when you are working and people are eating garbage and leaving it in break rooms. your approach may be the only thing that works for now. just make sure you don't feel light-headed and eat a little bit before tests.

brucedelaney

cprys8942, you're losing weight and you're doing it in a way that works for you. I wouldn't let the negativity get to you. Seems to me a lot of people forget the only weight loss plan that has a chance of working is the one you can maintain.

Based on what you've said you plan is working and you can easily maintain it. Go with it...

As others have stated sounds like Intermittent Fasting might be good for you. Google it or check out leangains.com it's a great resource backed with tons of studies.

grannygethealthy1111

Its not good and I think Doctors and Nutritionists advise a min of 3 meals a day.

For one thing, no meal should be more than 600 calories so you body can process it and it doesn't turn straight into fat and since the min calories per day is 1200 net then there is no way to get that in 1 meal.

You are also forcing your body to store fat by not feeding it.

If eating in the afternoon makes you hungry it is most likely what you are eating. Meals should be protein based with fiber (veggies) and you should be getting around 64oz of water a day.

If you eat the right foods, you will be full all day. Maybe try a protein shake (Max 200 calories and min of 25 grams of protein) and see if that helps.

Best of Luck!

Rubbish! I eat more than 600 calories in one meal and I have lost 97 pounds. Obviously, it did not turn into fat but resulted in a weight loss.

rchers at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) found that eating a 610-calorie breakfast high in carbohydrates, protein and fiber helped female dieters to lose weight and to maintain that weight loss. The study also followed a group of dieters on a low-carbohydrate plan that included a 290-calorie breakfast. The women on the low-carb, small-breakfast diet also lost weight, but they were far less successful at keeping the weight off long term.

Read more: VCU Breakfast Diet | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/way_5813317_vcu-breakfast-diet.html#ixzz1b5O5P4a3

cprys8942

Thank youuuu, I'll check out the fasting websites.

cheetosandburritos

There's also a book called the warrior diet. He writes about eating the same way you do.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/61580105/OriHofmekler-The-Warrior-Diet-Fat-Loss-Program

MzMiller1215

Your body NEEDS food all day for fuel. If eating breakfast makes you hungry all day, try eating the right, filling foods that sustain hunger much longer. I personally can't go without eating breakfast and eat at least 6 times a day. It doesn't make me overeat or feel like I'm starving. But, whatever works for you. You don't need other peoples' opinions.

choconuts

I don't think it's bad at all, it's the standard calories in vs calories out. To ME, doesn't matter WHEN you consume your calories.

I quit eating breakfast for a similar reason. I've NEVER been a breakfast eater, yet when I started MFP I tried to force myself. I found myself starving at night with no calories left.

I no longer eat breakfast, and can have more 'snacks' during the afternoon or after dinner. Works much better for my body.

itontae

sounds like it's working well for you.
It actually makes a lot of sense.
Keep up the good work

kmcrey87

Everyone can find an article to support or discourage you from what you are doing(or anything anyone does for that matter!)...My motto is if it is working, you feel strong and not worn down and tired, and you are getting all the nutrients you need then I say go for it.

There is no "one size fits all" for weight loss.

Good luck!!!

mommie3car

I started seeing the nutrionist last week and she gave me a 5 small a day plan and believe or not I feel great. When you don't eat during the day your body is storing the fat that it has. You have to eat breakfast. I am loosing weight and not feeling sluggish

PB67

When you don't eat during the day your body is storing the fat that it has. You have to eat breakfast.

Apazman

Everyone can find an article to support or discourage you from what you are doing(or anything anyone does for that matter!)...My motto is if it is working, you feel strong and not worn down and tired, and you are getting all the nutrients you need then I say go for it.

There is no "one size fits all" for weight loss.

Good luck!!!

Agreed!

tigersword

So, do all these people who insist you get fat only eating once a day and that it isn't healthy really think that human beings evolved eating several meals a day? A hundred thousand years ago humans were lucky to eat one meal every few days. In the Middle Ages, people generally ate once a day, if they could even eat every day.

If you had to eat several meals a day in order to survive and be healthy, the human race would've died out hundreds of thousands of years ago.

cprys8942

So, do all these people who insist you get fat only eating once a day and that it isn't healthy really think that human beings evolved eating several meals a day? A hundred thousand years ago humans were lucky to eat one meal every few days. In the Middle Ages, people generally ate once a day, if they could even eat every day.

If you had to eat several meals a day in order to survive and be healthy, the human race would've died out hundreds of thousands of years ago.

lol i love this.

brucedelaney

I started seeing the nutrionist last week and she gave me a 5 small a day plan and believe or not I feel great. When you don't eat during the day your body is storing the fat that it has. You have to eat breakfast. I am loosing weight and not feeling sluggish

The way this reads to me... My nutritionist put me on 5 meals a day and I feel great so if everyone else in the world eats 5 meals a day they'll lose weight and feel great too.

Eating more meals doesn't make you lose weight. Eating less calories then your daily caloric burn is what causes you to lose weight. The reason why nutritionists recommend eating many small meals is because you're less likely to be hungry. Note I said less likely. Losing weight is as personal as each persons fingerprint or signature. We're all different and you telling the OP that she has to eat breakfast is as small minded as if I were to tell you that eating 5 meals a day is wrong for you. However I'm not going to go there because I'd be wrong for telling you to change what's working for you.

Shame on everyone that is telling the OP that what she's doing is wrong just because it's wrong for you. What she's doing is perfectly safe and is working for her. Try a little support... that's what these forums are for.

Apazman

I started seeing the nutrionist last week and she gave me a 5 small a day plan and believe or not I feel great. When you don't eat during the day your body is storing the fat that it has. You have to eat breakfast. I am loosing weight and not feeling sluggish

The way this reads to me... My nutritionist put me on 5 meals a day and I feel great so if everyone else in the world eats 5 meals a day they'll lose weight and feel great too.

Eating more meals doesn't make you lose weight. Eating less calories then your daily caloric burn is what causes you to lose weight. The reason why nutritionists recommend eating many small meals is because you're less likely to be hungry. Note I said less likely. Losing weight is as personal as each persons fingerprint or signature. We're all different and you telling the OP that she has to eat breakfast is as small minded as if I were to tell you that eating 5 meals a day is wrong for you. However I'm not going to go there because I'd be wrong for telling you to change what's working for you.

Shame on everyone that is telling the OP that what she's doing is wrong just because it's wrong for you. What she's doing is perfectly safe and is working for her. Try a little support... that's what these forums are for.

Praise be to Bruce... Bruce be praised!

eddiegirll

Sounds to me your body is hungry in the evening & wanting to pig out to make up for the loss of energy earlier in the day.

Breakfast is just that (break the fast)....very important fuel for the body.....coffee does take hunger away & "sorta" satisfies that no breakfast feeling, but it doesn't take the place of a hot bowl of oatmeal When that happens to me, I make myself eat whether I feel like it or not. :smooched:

Sounds like you might need to work on fueling small meals on the go, so you don't have to pig out at dinner time. I know how that feels; not good! I don't like it & won't allow that to happen to me.

5'4"
234

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Started Sept. 5, 2011
227.4

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Sept. 12, 2011:smokin: smokin
228.9

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Sept. 19, 2011:sad: sad
227.4

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Sept. 26, 2011:smokin: sad
226.6

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Oct. 3, 2011:ohwell: ohwell
224.8

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Oct. 10, 2011:noway: noway
223.4

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Oct. 17, 2011:ohwell: ohwell :yawn: tomorrow will be a better day!
125-145---Goal weight

HMonsterX

Sounds to me your body is hungry in the evening & wanting to pig out to make up for the loss of energy earlier in the day.

Breakfast is just that (break the fast)....very important fuel for the body.....coffee does take hunger away & "sorta" satisfies that no breakfast feeling, but it doesn't take the place of a hot bowl of oatmeal

Sounds like you might need to work on fueling small meals on the go, so you don't have to pig out at dinner time. I know how that feels; not good! I don't like it & won't allow that to happen to me.

5'4"
234

---

Started Sept. 5, 2011
227.4

---

Sept. 12, 2011:smokin:
228.9

---

Sept. 19, 2011:sad:
227.4

---

Sept. 26, 2011:smokin:
226.6

---

Oct. 3, 2011:ohwell:
224.8

---

Oct. 10, 2011:noway:
223.4

---

Oct. 17, 2011:ohwell:
125-145---Goal weight

Did you just read the OP, then hit reply without reading anything else in this thread?

Bottled water companies and Breakfast Cereal companies are like priests. They bombard with with totally unproven, dubious, and sometimes downright false stuff, and people just believe it and buy their product.

Sigh...

brucedelaney

Sounds to me your body is hungry in the evening & wanting to pig out to make up for the loss of energy earlier in the day.

Breakfast is just that (break the fast)....very important fuel for the body.....coffee does take hunger away & "sorta" satisfies that no breakfast feeling, but it doesn't take the place of a hot bowl of oatmeal

Sounds like you might need to work on fueling small meals on the go, so you don't have to pig out at dinner time. I know how that feels; not good! I don't like it & won't allow that to happen to me.

5'4"
234

---

Started Sept. 5, 2011
227.4

---

Sept. 12, 2011:smokin:
228.9

---

Sept. 19, 2011:sad:
227.4

---

Sept. 26, 2011:smokin:
226.6

---

Oct. 3, 2011:ohwell:
224.8

---

Oct. 10, 2011:noway:
223.4

---

Oct. 17, 2011:ohwell:
125-145---Goal weight

Seriously did you bother to read the post, she's not saying that she's that hungry. She's asking if it's ok to eat all of her calories in 1 meal and it is ok.

HMonsterX

Breakfast is only "very important" if you have problems with self control later in the day. It does not have a noticeable effect on your metabolism.

Eating lots of small meals does NOT boost your metabolism and burn more calories than eating your whole daily allowance in 1 sitting. If you find it helps you, by not leaving you hungry, making bad choices, then by all means stick with it. But remember that is a lot different to a biological process of burning more calories.

meg0013

seriously, quit with the excuses. i'm a senior in college taking 18 credit hours and working 20 hours a week. there are plenty of places on campus that have things like protein bars or fruit and vegetables, and you can eat between classes. i'm SURE you don't have class all day every day.

if you only want to eat one meal a day, that's fine. do what works for you. but quit complaining about not having time to eat because you're in college, its bull. we really do have more free time now than we will later.

JasonD334

seriously, quit with the excuses. i'm a senior in college taking 18 credit hours and working 20 hours a week. there are plenty of places on campus that have things like protein bars or fruit and vegetables, and you can eat between classes. i'm SURE you don't have class all day every day.

if you only want to eat one meal a day, that's fine. do what works for you. but quit complaining about not having time to eat because you're in college, its bull. we really do have more free time now than we will later.

The last part of this is probably the truest thing I've read in this entire post. I am a District Manager for 17 multimillion dollar properties roughly 10 hours a day, have 60 employees that report directly to me and have needs all day everyday, have a wife and daughter, work out 1-2hours a day, work @ home for another 2-3 hours a day, and still make time for the things I want and feel I need. Time is only an excuse if you make it one, otherwise it's called functional scheduling. -- Anyway this post is boring now, and I don't want to give the protector of the post anything else to talk about. You know who you are...lol.

M3CH4N1C

Its better than eating nothing at all. Seriuosly, if you are talking optimum wieght loss, it would be better to spread out 1200 cal. into say 4 meals with a snack. Or just snack all day until you hit your limit. It will take a while but once your metabolic rate adjusts you will be burning calories like a jack rabbit running from a fox.

PB67

Its better than eating nothing at all. Seriuosly, if you are talking optimum wieght loss, it would be better to spread out 1200 cal. into say 4 meals with a snack. Or just snack all day until you hit your limit. It will take a while but once your metabolic rate adjusts you will be burning calories like a jack rabbit running from a fox.

I wish this myth would die