WHAT TIME SHOULD I EAT?

rebecca_lc28

Funny... I looked at this thread expecting to read opinions of times that people recommend to eat, but most of what I see is a "I'm smarter than you" competition. Really? I'm assuming most of the people on this forum are adults, but apparently even "adults" like to play games like that and try to throw their education around as if it's going to impress anyone.

I'm of the opinion that one should eat 3 healthy meals (i.e. Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner) and reasonable snacks in between those meals to make the most of their weight goals. I didn't go to college for a degree in nutrition or medicine, so perhaps I don't know what I'm talking about... but it seems reasonable to me- and that's what I try to follow.

AMEN to what you just said!

it all comes down to WHAT WORKS FOR YOU!!

SergeantSunshine_reused

I'm of the opinion that one should eat 3 healthy meals (i.e. Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner) and reasonable snacks in between those meals to make the most of their weight goals. I didn't go to college for a degree in nutrition or medicine, so perhaps I don't know what I'm talking about... but it seems reasonable to me- and that's what I try to follow.

Best post for sure :] Thats what i attempt to do anyway. Eat when I want and do what works for me! I honestly dont care if someone eats one meal a day or 17 xD I just get a little peeved with miss information is all.

Nicely put :flowerforyou:

joejccva71

Its best to eat at the following times:

6:08 a.m
9:34 a.m.
12:17 p.m.
3:22 p.m.
6:39 p.m.
9:01 p.m.

Any other times will kill all your efforts and make you gain weight.

ONOEZ. You forgot to say which time zone!


I'm afeard I dun broke my metabolizmz

OH NOOOOES! I sowwy! Central time! Its Central Time. There's always tomorrow to get your metabolism back on track!

DrG3n3

The nutritionists with the PhD's are sure enough food scientists. In fact, those that publish journals and papers with real facts about eating once or 6 times a day, are probably PhD's, as in doctors.

I say I can't eat once a day, I get *****y and my tummy isn't happy with me. And I feel sleepy.

But if you eat once a day, fine by me.

I don't think starvation mode applies until you've starved for a week.

But I think eating once a day is stupid too.

Hey, what do I know. All I know is what works for me. And I'm sure a lot of you in this thread know what works for you, but can't really say that works for everyone.

We all do what we can to be healthy and lose weight. Arguing over the best eating method is just silly.

Funny. Im a college student studying for my dietetics degree. There are not a ton of studies PROVING that it boosts your metabolism. More correlation than anything.

So since you heard that it boosts your metabolism, then that means a dietitian said it? Please find me a scientific study PROVING that it boosts your metabolism.

Oh you can't? Kthxbai :]

Funny. I said facts. I didn't say PROVING anything, seeing as in science you only support a hypothesis, you don't really prove anything. Because a lot of studies are mostly correlation, I still use products with aspartame and eat GMO's. As such, I never said I heard it boosts anyone's metabolism. I said most of the people who study this stuff are probably doctors. As a student I am more likely NOT to listen to you than a real doctor, that was my point. FUNNY how you act like a child, kthxbai, when only offered with some advice. FUNNY how you took what I said completely wrong.

See, the smiley makes it less *****y.

Either way, it seems that we can't have a discussion as a true adult these days on these message boards.

SergeantSunshine_reused

The nutritionists with the PhD's are sure enough food scientists. In fact, those that publish journals and papers with real facts about eating once or 6 times a day, are probably PhD's, as in doctors.

I say I can't eat once a day, I get *****y and my tummy isn't happy with me. And I feel sleepy.

But if you eat once a day, fine by me.

I don't think starvation mode applies until you've starved for a week.

But I think eating once a day is stupid too.

Hey, what do I know. All I know is what works for me. And I'm sure a lot of you in this thread know what works for you, but can't really say that works for everyone.

We all do what we can to be healthy and lose weight. Arguing over the best eating method is just silly.

Funny. Im a college student studying for my dietetics degree. There are not a ton of studies PROVING that it boosts your metabolism. More correlation than anything.

So since you heard that it boosts your metabolism, then that means a dietitian said it? Please find me a scientific study PROVING that it boosts your metabolism.

Oh you can't? Kthxbai :]

Funny. I said facts. I didn't say PROVING anything, seeing as in science you only support a hypothesis, you don't really prove anything. Because a lot of studies are mostly correlation, I still use products with aspartame and eat GMO's. As such, I never said I heard it boosts anyone's metabolism. I said most of the people who study this stuff are probably doctors. As a student I am more likely NOT to listen to you than a real doctor, that was my point. FUNNY how you act like a child, kthxbai, when only offered with some advice. FUNNY how you took what I said completely wrong.

See, the smiley makes it less *****y.

Either way, it seems that we can't have a discussion as a true adult these days on these message boards.

Doctors are required to take general nutrition. They are not food scientists either way. Doctors can give you pretty bad nutrition advice and many people here can tell you they have experienced that. I will apologize that I took your post wrong though.

Although as for acting childish... this is just the internet xD No need to get offended

Umadbro? xD

babyblake11

Well, I'd say unless your name is Dr. babyblake11, just like mine isn't Dr. pnieuw, it's just an opinion of yours.

Ask your doctor how they feel about you eating 1,300 calories at once, and then starving yourself for 23 1/2 hours, and get back to me.

well you wont be starving if you eat all your calories, i personally eat 5 meals a day, i like eating frequently, but im pretty sure its not the end of the world if someone likes one big meal a day.. calories in, calories out. get it?

DrG3n3

The nutritionists with the PhD's are sure enough food scientists. In fact, those that publish journals and papers with real facts about eating once or 6 times a day, are probably PhD's, as in doctors.

I say I can't eat once a day, I get *****y and my tummy isn't happy with me. And I feel sleepy.

But if you eat once a day, fine by me.

I don't think starvation mode applies until you've starved for a week.

But I think eating once a day is stupid too.

Hey, what do I know. All I know is what works for me. And I'm sure a lot of you in this thread know what works for you, but can't really say that works for everyone.

We all do what we can to be healthy and lose weight. Arguing over the best eating method is just silly.

Funny. Im a college student studying for my dietetics degree. There are not a ton of studies PROVING that it boosts your metabolism. More correlation than anything.

So since you heard that it boosts your metabolism, then that means a dietitian said it? Please find me a scientific study PROVING that it boosts your metabolism.

Oh you can't? Kthxbai :]

Funny. I said facts. I didn't say PROVING anything, seeing as in science you only support a hypothesis, you don't really prove anything. Because a lot of studies are mostly correlation, I still use products with aspartame and eat GMO's. As such, I never said I heard it boosts anyone's metabolism. I said most of the people who study this stuff are probably doctors. As a student I am more likely NOT to listen to you than a real doctor, that was my point. FUNNY how you act like a child, kthxbai, when only offered with some advice. FUNNY how you took what I said completely wrong.

See, the smiley makes it less *****y.

Either way, it seems that we can't have a discussion as a true adult these days on these message boards.

Doctors are required to take general nutrition. They are not food scientists either way. Doctors can give you pretty bad nutrition advice and many people here can tell you they have experienced that. I will apologize that I took your post wrong though.

Although as for acting childish... this is just the internet xD No need to get offended

Umadbro? xD

Now, I'm a 23 year old geneticist. WHY in the world would I be offended? Less offended and more amazed that childishness runs rampant.

However, I do not speak of doctors that you get yearly check ups from. Anyone with a PhD is a doctor. A nutritionist,a specialist, is a doctor, and I'm sure they know more about good nutrition than we do. As well when they are the ones publishing papers. Or even the scientists, the FOOD SCIENTISTS, that study this kind of thing, they probably know more than we do. And they are doctors, typically, as well. As I said, anyone with a PhD is a doctor, you just have to find the one in the right field.

SergeantSunshine_reused

Now, I'm a 23 year old geneticist. WHY in the world would I be offended? Less offended and more amazed that childishness runs rampant.

However, I do not speak of doctors that you get yearly check ups from. Anyone with a PhD is a doctor. A nutritionist,a specialist, is a doctor, and I'm sure they know more about good nutrition than we do. As well when they are the ones publishing papers. Or even the scientists, the FOOD SCIENTISTS, that study this kind of thing, they probably know more than we do. And they are doctors, typically, as well. As I said, anyone with a PhD is a doctor, you just have to find the one in the right field.

You would be surprised how easily people can get offended! My bad haha xD

Thats where I took it wrong. I read that as doctors you get your check ups from (usually what people are talking about when they say doctors on this site). And I will apologize again for that:flowerforyou:

I have seen studies for both sides of this argument. Usually the 6 meals a day revolves around correlation. And correlation =/= causation.

I support the leangains side of it though. And would recommend anyone interested in learning a different take on it to check out the site.

Sidesteal

Cool so an article stating claims, but has no data. Hmmmm very useful.

1. Myth: Eat frequently to "stoke the metabolic fire".


Truth

Each time you eat, metabolic rate increases slightly for a few hours. Paradoxically, it takes energy to break down and absorb energy. This is the Thermic Effect of Food (TEF). The amount of energy expended is directly proportional to the amount of calories and nutrients consumed in the meal.

Let's assume that we are measuring TEF during 24 hours in a diet of 2700 kcal with 40% protein, 40% carbohydrate and 20% fat. We run three different trials where the only thing we change is the the meal frequency.

A) Three meals: 900 kcal per meal.

Six meals: 450 kcal per meal.

C) Nine meals: 300 kcal per meal.

What we'd find is a different pattern in regards to TEF. Example "A" would yield a larger and long lasting boost in metabolic rate that would gradually taper off until the next meal came around; TEF would show a "peak and valley"-pattern. "C" would yield a very weak but consistent boost in metabolic rate; an even pattern. "B" would be somewhere in between.

However, at the end of the 24-hour period, or as long as it would take to assimilate the nutrients, there would be no difference in TEF. The total amount of energy expended by TEF would be identical in each scenario. Meal frequency does not affect total TEF. You cannot "trick" the body in to burning more or less calories by manipulating meal frequency.

I slightly chopped this to just quote the above. This is a very solid explanation of TEF and why frequent eating makes no difference. Sticky IMO.

christina_doubleU

This is so helpful! I am so hungry at night, but run out of calories left to eat anything! I am NEVER hungry in the morning.. so now I can just save those calories for dinner?

magneticcat

I think this topic has been covered pretty thoroughly in this discussion, but I just wanted to add one more point: I was always taught that the only reason small and frequent meals are recommended is because most people get hungry more than three times a day, and when you're really hungry, you can make stupid food decisions and binge out. I was under the impression that the small and regular meals thing was just a means of preventing intense hunger in some people, and thus lessening the likelihood that they will binge or snack excessively. So it's just a willpower thing. But at the end of the day, if you have the willpower, you could eat one 1200 kcal hunk of butter a day and nothing else, and you'll still lose weight.

Sidesteal

This is so helpful! I am so hungry at night, but run out of calories left to eat anything! I am NEVER hungry in the morning.. so now I can just save those calories for dinner?

^ ABSOLUTELY. Just make SURE you don't go over FOR THE DAY. As long as your totals are the same you will be fine.

ALSO, this will likely effect water weight only as you shift a pile of calories to the evening. Don't stress it if you're the type that weighs in every morning.

HMonsterX

I think this topic has been covered pretty thoroughly in this discussion, but I just wanted to add one more point: I was always taught that the only reason small and frequent meals are recommended is because most people get hungry more than three times a day, and when you're really hungry, you can make stupid food decisions and binge out. I was under the impression that the small and regular meals thing was just a means of preventing intense hunger in some people, and thus lessening the likelihood that they will binge or snack excessively. So it's just a willpower thing. But at the end of the day, if you have the willpower, you could eat one 1200 kcal hunk of butter a day and nothing else, and you'll still lose weight.

Exactly this. People really need to learn the difference between actual biological effects on metabolism, and making the daily calories in/out battle easier.

DrG3n3

You would be surprised how easily people can get offended! My bad haha xD

Thats where I took it wrong. I read that as doctors you get your check ups from (usually what people are talking about when they say doctors on this site). And I will apologize again for that:flowerforyou:

I have seen studies for both sides of this argument. Usually the 6 meals a day revolves around correlation. And correlation =/= causation.

I support the leangains side of it though. And would recommend anyone interested in learning a different take on it to check out the site.

Ah, gotcha, makes sense now. But yes, people surprise me every day.

I just couldnt do it myself, eat once a day. I'm hungry all day long and it takes sheer will power not to pig out just because I'm bored sometimes.

DrG3n3

I found this today. Might help some of you out:

Eating six small meals instead of three regular ones...
A. Speeds your metabolism
B. Controls your blood sugar
C. Both of the above
D. None of the above, although it may make for more dirty dishes

Answer #1: D
Frequent eating helps some people lose weight because it keeps them from becoming crazy hungry and pigging out. But the six-meal approach doesn't stoke your metabolism or steady your blood sugar. In fact, a recent Syracuse University study found that eating six meals a day actually raised blood sugar more than the same diet consumed in three meals.

Your Takeaway
Eat as often as you like, but watch your meal size if you go with six; half of those "meals" should be more like snacks. If you want to eat less often, give your body a couple of weeks to adjust its hunger signals.

rana_bear

I think this topic has been covered pretty thoroughly in this discussion, but I just wanted to add one more point: I was always taught that the only reason small and frequent meals are recommended is because most people get hungry more than three times a day, and when you're really hungry, you can make stupid food decisions and binge out. I was under the impression that the small and regular meals thing was just a means of preventing intense hunger in some people, and thus lessening the likelihood that they will binge or snack excessively. So it's just a willpower thing. But at the end of the day, if you have the willpower, you could eat one 1200 kcal hunk of butter a day and nothing else, and you'll still lose weight.

In regards to the last sentence, that sorta depends on how you look at it. If you ate just that hunk of butter as opposed to balanced healthy meals, you may be getting the same number of calories but your pretty much only consuming fat. Good luck surviving on that alone. I for one know that i would feel so ill and sluggish that i'd barely get out of bed let alone do any exercise. Yes you may still lose weight (hence why there's so many fad diets) but you won't be doing your body any favors. Think of your body like a car engine. If you put the best quality fuel in, your car is likely to run more efficiently and last longer. If you put poor quality fuel in, sure it'll still run but you may not be getting as many miles to a tank and could be doing more damage to the engine in the long term.

*please excuse my car analogy, I'm no auto expert so hopefully the facts are correct :-S

ScoutMomAng

I think it is totally dependent on each person and what their body is used to. My body is nowhere near used to eating breakfast every morning. My day starts early, usually around 5 am sometimes earlier. At that time of the morning I am nowhere near eating something. Just the pure thought of putting something in my mouth, even medication, makes me sick to my stomach. Therefore, my first meal of the day usually happens around 9 am. That's my breakfast. My body is used to eating 3 meals a day and an evening snack. For me evening time is my sedentary time so my snack (these days) usually consists of something light, like air popped popcorn.

But truthfully I think it all depends on how you have conditioned your body over the years. I'm not saying that you can not recondition your body to go from 3 large meals a day to 6 small meals a day and still accomplish the same goal but I definitely think it will work just as well no matter how you do it.