I don't really understand the concept of 6 small meals per d

purpleipod

I know this sounds silly, but for some reason I get a little confused when I mull this over in my head. I am so used to just eating 3 normal sized meals, with maybe a snack between lunch and dinner. I've always heard it's better for you to have 6 small meals per day, because it keeps your metabolism working, doesn't let you get hungry, etc.

I'm pretty good at sticking within a calorie range when I try, but I get quite confused when I think of ways to break that up into 6 separate meals without having some that are really skimpy or larger than others. I also worry that my dinner wouldn't be large enough (that's where I feel deprived if I don't have a decent amount to eat).

So.. any tips? Should I just play around with trying to break up my meals into mini meals? Even any material or sources that you guys have read that have been helpful would be appreciated.

it_be_asin

If you do best with 3 meals a day, why change? The best time to eat is when you feel hungry. The worst time to eat is when you are not hungry cause of some nutrient timing rumours you have heard.

I do eat a lot of times a day, but that's because I find it helps me manage my satiety - for me, eating 6 or more times a day means that I eat when I am hungry and control my appetite the best.

If it doesn't work for you, don't force it.

cmriverside

There are some who agree with this six meals stuff, but I'm not one of them.

I tried it, and it made me cranky. I never felt full, and was spending way too much time planning and entering food into the food journal.

It doesn't really help weight loss. The "faster" metabolism thing has been proven to be false. . . . though I'm sure some will still argue that myth.

RonSwanson66

I'm pretty sure it was simply a marketing scheme to increase the sales of protein powder.... or tupperware.

eventing07

I just started working with a nutritionist and she started me out on 1800 calories a day. 300 Breakfast, 200 morning snack, 400 lunch, 200 afternoon snack, 500 dinner. My morning snack is nuts with a little fruit so not very filling but gives lots of fuel in the afternoon I usually do greek yogurt with cottage cheese.

Pebble321

I think you need to work out what fits best into your lifestyle and what keeps you feeling good.

I've always been a snacker, so the concept of 6 small meals seems good to me. But, when I actually try it, I find that eating a small meal leaves me unsatisfied so I'm still looking for something else to eat.

The thing that seems to keep me feeling good is to eat a big breakfast, a small morning snack, a pretty substantial lunch, a moderate afternoon snack and a moderate sized dinner.

I'm really prone to snacking while I'm at work especially if I'm not super busy, so having a bigger brekky and lunch means that I feel full and not inclined to snack so much.

Try it out for yourself, and see what suits you!

Xxlovinlife2012Xx

I am on a 6 meal a day "diet" and its the only thing that has worked for me. I eat breakfast at 7 am which is around 290 calories, than 3 hours later i eat a light snack (string cheese and apple, almonds, popcorn, protein bar or shake, etc.) these are usually around 150 calories, 3 hours later is lunch (also around 290 calories, tuna and spinach salad, grilled chicken and cucumbers - I really try to make a an even amount of carbs , protein, and fat (carbs - size of your fist > protein - size of your palm minus the fingers > fat - size of your thumb) 3 hours later I have another snack (150 calories), and finally 3 hours later I eat dinner. Usually my dinner is chicken, salmon, or beef paired with veges or spinach salad with oil and vinegar dressing. I try to eat any carbs before 1:00pm (bread pasta, rice) after 1:00 pm my carb choices are fruits and veges. I have lost 23 pounds and am still losing. The idea is to eat 6 smalls meals.

xtinalovexo

i eat 3 regular meals.

i try to have an am snack between bfast and lunch and a pm snack before workout and dinner. i find it keeps me fuller throughout the day. they say it keeps your metabolism running, but i dunno. i just like to eat really. sometimes i have no snacks, sometimes i have a snack after dinner. i eat when im hungry and snacks between keep me from overeating at meal time.

example-
bfast- egg whites in half pita, coffee
snack- apple slices or banana and rainsins
lunch- meal of choice
afternoon snack- greek yogurt and papaya
dinner- meal of choice
after dinner snack- 1 glass wine, 1 dark choc square, 100 cal almond pack

my in between snacks i try to keep healthy and filling as well.

patricia909

bump

SergeantSunshine_reused

It doesn't really help weight loss. The "faster" metabolism thing has been proven to be false. . . . though I'm sure some will still argue that myth.

Unfortunately yes >.<

I eat 2-3 meals a day. I like that way more Love big meals

JennieAL

Doesn't really make sense to me either. I think it's bs. I eat when I'm hungry... usually. I tend to eat 2-3 meals per day and one dessert after dinner every few days or so. It works just fine.

purpleipod

Ah.. I guess I've just been under the impression that by constantly fueling your body like that you are doing it a favor and it will aid with your weight loss. If 3 meals / day with 1 snack works just as well, I may as well stick to that.

sexysize12

6 small meals a day are also good for people with digestive problems/tummy problms, my family member was recommended by a dietition to eat six small meals a day so she doesn't get stomache bloat and to avoid her gerd/acid reflux/irritable bowel symtoms I know TMI but just wanted to share how eating smaller meals more frequent can help. The meals outlined here sounds great and helpful for such a way of eating, keep up the good work.

Myself I generally eat 3 meals and two snacks a day, it works for me because I'm a snacker.

havalinaaa

There are numerous studies that show meal timing/breakdown of calorie consumption has no effect on metabolism. Eat when you want as long as you're able to stay within your calorie allotment. As long as you aren't going over, you'll be fine! I eat at different times nearly every single day, just because of the way my work schedule varies. Sometimes I have several snacks that have to suffice for meals and sometimes I eat all my calories in two meals. Yet, miraculously, I'm still losing weight (25 pounds so far!).

FitMissVicky

i'm on an 1800 cal/day plan as recommended by my doc. Plan is to eat every 2-3 hours, min 300 for meals and 150 for snacks. Protein every time. As I understand it, the rationale for the snacking is to help curb hunger so you don't overeat at mealtime. Not metabolism so much.

IvoryParchment

It's personal, and it depends on your daytime schedule. If you are at a work station where you aren't allowed to eat and you have to spend your breaks either eating or going to the bathroom but not both, it's a dumb idea. If you have your own office at work and can have a mini-fridge full of yogurt cups and fruit, grabbing something here and there all day without ever filling your stomach to capacity can work great.

I am in the latter category, so I wouldn't even group my food into six discrete feedings. I eat when I'm hungry and stop when I've eaten enough that I will no longer be thinking about food. I work through lunch and eat whenever the mood strikes me. But an hourly employee couldn't do that very easily.