The art of eating 4-6 times a day.

skywa

They say its best to eat little meals all through out the day. But i personally struggle with it at times. Mainly at night. Because i get hungry in such a short period of time, by the time im in bed im starving again, and its hard for me to sleep.

Tips? Tricks? Do you think this system even works?

skywa

bump

lvnspoonful

Are you sure you are hungry and not just thirsty? Sometimes we confuse thirst with hunger. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water and try to get more fiber in during the day as well. Hope that helps!

taso42

It works for some in the sense that it controls their hunger levels. If you feel better off with 3 meals a day (or 2 or 1 or 3.14159), then do that instead. Hitting your nutritional targets is far more important than meal timing and frequency.

levesunt

It doesn't matter how often you eat. As long as you eat enough, but not too much, you'll be fine with three bigger meals. I recently switched from 6 small meals to three larger meals and I'm much more satisfied throughout the day. Plus it saves a ton of time.

skywa

i drink the loads of water.

skywa

i do notice my snacking is keeping my calories really low, which could be why im getting hungry so fast. 9-9 somthing to think about. thx. C:

SarahBrown1979

Water! and lots of it! Be prepared to pee alot but its good for you!

SergeantSunshine_reused

It doesn't matter how often you eat. As long as you eat enough, but not too much, you'll be fine with three bigger meals. I recently switched from 6 small meals to three larger meals and I'm much more satisfied throughout the day. Plus it saves a ton of time.

exactly! no reason to eat 6 times a day besides personal preference. It does not boost your metabolism as some think

sunnyzephyr

I have a HUGE problem with eating later at night, which is really bad. Typically, its best not to eat after 7pm. Maybe even 6pm. And small meals are much better for you. They will help you get used to smaller portion meals and after your body adjusts, you won't be feeling hungry. Find some tricks in the meantime, but your body will get used to it and your stomach will need much less food to feel full.

stephabef

It's the only way I know how to eat. But I do it because it works for me. I don't think it's any better or worse than any other way of eating, as long as you're within your caloric limits and getting enough protein/vitamins/fat.

kmbrooks15

I do this because I am hypoglycemic. I eat about 200-250 calories for breakfast, then mid-morning have a snack that's about 100-150 calories. Lunch is around 400 calories, then another snack (usually a protein shake after working out). I eat dinner, then have a small snack before bed (usually a 100 calorie bag of popcorn).

You don't have to eat this way. For me, it keeps me from getting a blood sugar crash (headache, cold chills, shakes...not fun). I also find that most of the time I'm not really hungry (sometimes I have to make myself eat my snack). You may be different, though. You should find what works for you. If eating 5-6 times a day makes you more likely to binge, then don't do it. Everyone is different, and 3 larger meals a day may work for you. I tend to be a "grazer", so the snacks help me not to graze so much. Some people don't eat that way, though, so it's okay if you don't.

Good luck! Keep experimenting and you'll find what works best for you.

Sidesteal

Do you think this system even works?

It is irrelevant for body composition. You can eat 1 large meal and it won't effect your metabolism either way.

You should structure meal timing and frequency around personal preference. If you want to eat a large dinner right before bed and nothing before it, go for it.

kwamsat

I am having that same problem myself, but what I have started doing is drinking hot decaf tea at night. There are amazing flavors out there! Some of my favorites are peppermint, orange, decaf green, and gingerbread....just might trick you into feeling satisfied ; )

HMonsterX

I have a HUGE problem with eating later at night, which is really bad. Typically, its best not to eat after 7pm. Maybe even 6pm. And small meals are much better for you. They will help you get used to smaller portion meals and after your body adjusts, you won't be feeling hungry. Find some tricks in the meantime, but your body will get used to it and your stomach will need much less food to feel full.

Eating later at night is NOT bad. It's only bad if you have already eaten your calories throughout the day and then eat more at night. As long as you create your calorie deficit, it doesn't matter if you have all your calories in one big meal right before bed.

UponThisRock

I tried this and it made me more hungry.

It doesn't matter when you eat or how frequently, just hit your calories for the day

sunnyzephyr

The important difference between 6 small meals and 3 large meals is this: when you eat larger meals, your stomach gets used to that large portion of food and therefore needs it everytime you eat in order to feel full. If you eat 5 or 6 smaller meals, you stomach will eventually adjust to the smaller portion and therefore need much less food to feel satisfied. Everytime you eat past the point of being full, your stomach stretches and expects larger and larger portions.

ElizabethRoad

It works for some in the sense that it controls their hunger levels. If you feel better off with 3 meals a day (or 2 or 1 or 3.14159), then do that instead. Hitting your nutritional targets is far more important than meal timing and frequency.

Are you suggesting that I eat pie 4-6 times a day?

taso42

It works for some in the sense that it controls their hunger levels. If you feel better off with 3 meals a day (or 2 or 1 or 3.14159), then do that instead. Hitting your nutritional targets is far more important than meal timing and frequency.

Are you suggesting that I eat pie 4-6 times a day?

You've cracked the code.

But you're going to have to share the pie.

Ash7Reb

Actually, by incorporating smaller meals, especially rich in fiber and protein, you bootst your metabolism quite a bit. It becomes more efficient at burning calories and storing nutrients. I would say if you're feeling hungry shortly after these meals, they may be too small. Also, like I said before, protein and fiber are key to a satisfied tummy. Try eating a some baby carrots and a serving of cottage cheese for one of your meals. Another meal idea, piece of baked chicken (preferably the size of a deck of cards) and a serving of broccoli. Hope this gives you some ideas.
Much love~

RaceTo48Kg

Are you sure you are hungry and not just thirsty? Sometimes we confuse thirst with hunger. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water and try to get more fiber in during the day as well. Hope that helps!

I agree with this. When I feel hungry at night, I drink a glass of water first. Usually that's the case. I only get hungry at night If I don't had breakfast that day. I suggest you eat a big breakfast in the morning to avoid craving at night

HMonsterX

Actually, by incorporating smaller meals, especially rich in fiber and protein, boots your metabolism quite a bit. It becomes more efficient a burning calories and storing nutrients.

Sorry, that simply isn't true.

ElizabethRoad

The important difference between 6 small meals and 3 large meals is this: when you eat larger meals, your stomach gets used to that large portion of food and therefore needs it everytime you eat in order to feel full.

I eat a very small breakfast, a small lunch, and most of my calories for dinner. I feel satisfied with breakfast and lunch despite them being much smaller than dinner.

sunnyzephyr

I have a HUGE problem with eating later at night, which is really bad. Typically, its best not to eat after 7pm. Maybe even 6pm. And small meals are much better for you. They will help you get used to smaller portion meals and after your body adjusts, you won't be feeling hungry. Find some tricks in the meantime, but your body will get used to it and your stomach will need much less food to feel full.

Eating later at night is NOT bad. It's only bad if you have already eaten your calories throughout the day and then eat more at night. As long as you create your calorie deficit, it doesn't matter if you have all your calories in one big meal right before bed.

YES, it actually is bad to eat later at night. Unless you work out before you go to bed. Eating carbs at night is even worse for you. Carbs give your body energy. And unless you burn the calories before bed, all that fat is stored and the nutrients is not absorbed because your digestive system is not as active as it is during the day. It also causes difficulty sleeping and things like GERD.

Ash7Reb

Yes, actually as 3rd year dietetics student, I happen to know it is.

Ash7Reb

When you wait long perioeds between meals your body will store more fat. This is a survival mechanism.

poisongirl6485

It doesn't matter how many times you eat. I know people will argue and say that it does, but it boils down to calories in/calories out. I can't do the smaller meals thing. I'd much rather wait a little longer between meals in order to get the extra calories. Makes me satisfied and for longer. The small meals thing feels like 'snacking' and I don't snack.

sunnyzephyr

The important difference between 6 small meals and 3 large meals is this: when you eat larger meals, your stomach gets used to that large portion of food and therefore needs it everytime you eat in order to feel full.

I eat a very small breakfast, a small lunch, and most of my calories for dinner. I feel satisfied with breakfast and lunch despite them being much smaller than dinner.

I should have phrased that differently... your body doesn't expect that same amount of food every meal, but everyday. It is also kind of a mental thing. Sometimes when I eat less than normal, wether I am full or not, I feel like I want to eat more even though I am not necessarily hungry.

AI1108

k so this is kind of cheesy but i like to think of my food log like the tank of my car. you can either go to the gas station 6 times and fill up your tank 1/6 each time and it will take you to point A or point B or go to the gas station 2x and fill it up halfway and it will still take you from point A to point B, or once and you will still get from point A to point B. its all about personal preference and how often you want to go to the gas station to fill up your tank. :P

Cathleenr

I have a HUGE problem with eating later at night, which is really bad. Typically, its best not to eat after 7pm. Maybe even 6pm. And small meals are much better for you. They will help you get used to smaller portion meals and after your body adjusts, you won't be feeling hungry. Find some tricks in the meantime, but your body will get used to it and your stomach will need much less food to feel full.

Eating later at night is NOT bad. It's only bad if you have already eaten your calories throughout the day and then eat more at night. As long as you create your calorie deficit, it doesn't matter if you have all your calories in one big meal right before bed.

YES, it actually is bad to eat later at night. Unless you work out before you go to bed. Eating carbs at night is even worse for you. Carbs give your body energy. And unless you burn the calories before bed, all that fat is stored and the nutrients is not absorbed because your digestive system is not as active as it is during the day. It also causes difficulty sleeping and things like GERD.

ok. what time is "too late"? cause i get home at 1 AM and eat then. right after i come in from a run . and then i get up at 8 AM and may NOT even eat before my morning workout.
yikes.

taso42

I have a HUGE problem with eating later at night, which is really bad. Typically, its best not to eat after 7pm. Maybe even 6pm. And small meals are much better for you. They will help you get used to smaller portion meals and after your body adjusts, you won't be feeling hungry. Find some tricks in the meantime, but your body will get used to it and your stomach will need much less food to feel full.

Eating later at night is NOT bad. It's only bad if you have already eaten your calories throughout the day and then eat more at night. As long as you create your calorie deficit, it doesn't matter if you have all your calories in one big meal right before bed.

YES, it actually is bad to eat later at night. Unless you work out before you go to bed. Eating carbs at night is even worse for you. Carbs give your body energy. And unless you burn the calories before bed, all that fat is stored and the nutrients is not absorbed because your digestive system is not as active as it is during the day. It also causes difficulty sleeping and things like GERD.

ok. what time is "too late"? cause i get home at 1 AM and eat then. right after i come in from a run . and then i get up at 8 AM and may NOT even eat before my morning workout.
yikes.

Weird, of all the answers in the thread, you latch on to the worst one.