Anti-Meal Spreaders

Sytera

I see so many comments that totally attack people who spread out meals or talk about needing to spread out calories. You talk about "broscience" and link to studies. Have any of you gone a month eating only one meal a day full of all your calories? Then I see bashing of people wanting to cut late night eating because the person thinks it will make them gain. Have you tried eating all your calories right before bed and none the rest of the day? You all say it doesn't matter when you eat. I'm just curious as to if any of you have done these extremes you talk about and had success. Do you feel awesome the rest of the day before or after your massive meal? Do you lose weight at a decent rate with these huge meals?

weathergirl320

i usually eat one or two meals a day. i have been doing it forever before it became a whole "IF" fad. i just eat when i feel hungry. sometimes its late at night sometimes its lunch time, it just depends. just my personal preference. nothing to do with bioscience or any theory. i just dont like to eat all day. and i have lost 35 lbs.

Flexmanlet

You can lose weight a myriad of different ways. My personally, I do only eat between 2pm and 8 or 9pm. I eat all my calories during this window. I feel very full up until about noon then I work out in a fasted state, and then go eat!
Im super active but I still have to diet on less then 1800 calories to see any fat loss, so this method works better for me then trying to eat small meals repeatedly throughout the day.

Ive disproved alot of myths to myself by trying different diets. I am a "body builder" type guy who eats less protein then they say you need, I go hours without eating and my gains stay with me... its a shame how much misinformation there is out there.

Cliffnotes-- if you get used to fasting like I do, you don't even get hungry until 2pm especially if you are busy. Sometimes I even push my fast to 5pm and eat my entire calories in 1 sitting! Works perfect!

LaurasClimb

I don't eat after dinner, no evening snacks, nothing.
I don't feel I sleep well if I do. And I wake up feeling like there's a rock or something in my stomach.
I also know that if I'm "hungry" after dinner, more than likely I want to eat for emotional reasons - stressed, bored, etc. That emotional/comfort eating is a big part of my problem. So I'm better off having a glass of water or tea and trying to figure out what it is that makes me want to eat at that moment.

saragato

Depending on your definition of a meal I eat only one or two a day. I wouldn't eat breakfast if I didn't have morning medication that required food with it because I don't get hungry in the morning. All I eat is some greek yogurt or a granola bar that doesn't go above 150 calories and then I wait for dinner. I don't eat lunch, I'm not hungry around lunch time. Dinner is my big meal that always has plenty of protein, a vegetable, and a little bit of a starch like noodles. And that's what I eat. Rarely do I eat more later in the evening simply because I'm not hungry. I've had this schedule even before I started my weight loss journey and I've done fine on it.

llamalland

I think nutritionally it may not matter how your calories are distributed. It is a matter of personal preference how one plans the timing of their meals. They will soon find how their body responds to various meal timing, and can adjust accordingly.

It's silly for people to get so riled up about how others do it, in my opinion.

susannamarie

There's nothing WRONG with spreading out your meals.
There's nothing WRONG with not eating after x hour.
If it makes you feel better and makes it easier for you to diet, go for it!

But there is something wrong with saying you NEED to. Because you don't.

j1wright

I stopped eating breakfast because frankly I am just not hungry in the morning. I eat lunch and dinner and I always eat something before bed. I have to have my evening snack or I feel like I am depriving myself "dieting". This is how I like it and I am not going to change it. I am still losing weight and I am I eating healthy foods. Please don't blast me for not eating breakfast, not everyone eats breakfast.

gogojodee

I think nutritionally it may not matter how your calories are distributed. It is a matter of personal preference how one plans the timing of their meals. They will soon find how their body responds to various meal timing, and can adjust accordingly.

It's silly for people to get so riled up about how others do it, in my opinion.

Totally and completely agree. Sometimes I will eat all my calories with my "first meal" which is usually around lunch time and have a light evening meal. That's just how I am, sometimes. Other days, I'm not. It really depends how much "work" my body is doing and how much sleep I've had.

Sytera

I won't blast anyone for how they eat. That is totally up to that person. Some days I don't eat breakfast if I sleep in or if I'm busy taking care of my kids. Other days I crave breakfast and eat before I fix food for anyone else.

Redapplecandie

I spread my food out during the day. Eat most of it though between 8a-3p because that is when I am at work, and it's easier for me to "snack" on crap while sitting at my computer.

I'm fine once I go home, and eat dinner and maybe have a glass of milk.

rml_16

I see so many comments that totally attack people who spread out meals or talk about needing to spread out calories. You talk about "broscience" and link to studies. Have any of you gone a month eating only one meal a day full of all your calories? Then I see bashing of people wanting to cut late night eating because the person thinks it will make them gain. Have you tried eating all your calories right before bed and none the rest of the day? You all say it doesn't matter when you eat. I'm just curious as to if any of you have done these extremes you talk about and had success. Do you feel awesome the rest of the day before or after your massive meal? Do you lose weight at a decent rate with these huge meals?

So, wait ... if someone says it isn't necessary for weight loss to eat 6 times a day or says it's OK to eat late at night, you think that means those people eat only once a day and eat all their calories at once?

I think you misunderstand.

But, yes, if you eat all your calories in one meal, no matter the time, and you don't eat additional calories, you should be able to lose weight.

rml_16

There's nothing WRONG with spreading out your meals.
There's nothing WRONG with not eating after x hour.
If it makes you feel better and makes it easier for you to diet, go for it!

But there is something wrong with saying you NEED to. Because you don't.

Exactly.

Martucha123

There's nothing WRONG with spreading out your meals.
There's nothing WRONG with not eating after x hour.
If it makes you feel better and makes it easier for you to diet, go for it!

But there is something wrong with saying you NEED to. Because you don't.

Exactly.

^this

SoDamnHungry

I eat tiny meals and a lot of snacks. People who eating large meals and no snacks are just doing what works for them. People tend to feel very adamant that what works for them will work for someone else, which is just silly. If I ate two meals a day, I'd freak out, be hungry all the time, and binge eat. And likewise, snacking doesn't work for others.

XXXMinnieXXX

There's nothing WRONG with spreading out your meals.
There's nothing WRONG with not eating after x hour.
If it makes you feel better and makes it easier for you to diet, go for it!

But there is something wrong with saying you NEED to. Because you don't.

Exactly.

Agreed x

bcattoes

Most day I do a combination of eating all day and eating a big meal at night. I eat 3-5 small snacks throughout the day, rarely more than 350 calories each, and then I eat a big dinner around 9:00 - 9:30 p.m. Usually it's around 900 - 1200 calories for that one meal. On days that I don't work though I may only have one big meal and one or no snacks, but usually that meal will be in the afternoon.

I don't really care what anyone else thinks of it because it keeps me happy and healthy and not hungry. From a purely physiological standpoint, I believe meal timing is irrelevant for most people. But I also believe that anyone that thinks physiology is all that matters for meal timing is dead wrong.

hilarysgiants

I eat 3 meals a day and 3 snacks a day. Usually every 2-3 hours inbetween snacks/meals. This is beneficial to me b/c I have blood sugar issues and this helps keep me in check (I am pre-diabetic). Do what feels right for you and your body!

ihateroses

I think I have only seen this where someone is asking for advice on their diary and people recommend spreading their meals out as a way to lose more weight.

Sytera

So, wait ... if someone says it isn't necessary for weight loss to eat 6 times a day or says it's OK to eat late at night, you think that means those people eat only once a day and eat all their calories at once?

I think you misunderstand.

No, I don't misunderstand. I am just curious if anyone has tried that, which is why I asked if anyone has.

People tend to feel very adamant that what works for them will work for someone else, which is just silly.

I completely agree.

Sytera

I think I have only seen this where someone is asking for advice on their diary and people recommend spreading their meals out as a way to lose more weight.

Yes, and then people jump in saying they don't have to do that. That meal timing is basically for idiots. What if THAT person DOES need to do it? What if their body isn't the same as the handful of people in all these studies? The studies, reports, etc. didn't test every single person who is trying to lose weight. They tested a handful out of the population. Maybe larger studies need to be done. Or maybe people need to realize that every person is different and some people really may NEED to spread out their meals in order to lose weight.

Sl1ghtly

I find it interesting that so many people believe they are somehow special, and different (physiologicaly speaking) than everyone else, and basic science doesn't apply to them.

chrisdavey

2 meals a day for 12 days. Generally about 6hr eating window.

before


after


No it's not required but when eating 1200 cals & you want to feel full after a meal is definitely my preferred way of eating

rml_16

I find it interesting that so many people believe they are somehow special, and different (physiologicaly speaking) than everyone else, and basic science doesn't apply to them.

Well, the basic "eat less, move more" applies to everyone (who doesn't have a medical reason it doesn't work), but what is "less" and what is "more" varies by person.

Even within the studies, it's based on the results of a MAJORITY, not 100% of participants.

Sytera

I find it interesting that so many people believe they are somehow special, and different (physiologicaly speaking) than everyone else, and basic science doesn't apply to them.

If "so many people" believe it, then isn't there a good chance it is true?

@chrisdavey- Nice results. I see that it works for you. Way to go!

neverstray

I eat 5 or 6 times a day. I believe more in a steady stream of nutrients. It works for me.

My diary doesn't show it because I don't really give a crap that my diary is accurate. I just put everything I eat between breakfast and dinner under lunch, and everything after dinner under snacks. I don't care what it's called. It's a food tracker for the day, I don't need to know what time I ate a carrot. Ya know?

Shamrock_me

I follow the Cartman rule of dieting...
Its *MY* Body I do what I want!! ~~ They're my calories I eat when I want.

I am not big on 'structure' some weeks I get in the eating zone, then Saturday comes and I work around the house or in the yard & I eat too little because I'm working. Then I snack a whole lot & eat one meal when I realize I'm way under for the day.
Through the week I snack and eat a big lunch, and a reasonable dinner.
Breakfast is usually Greek yogurt & Flax seed I like to have something in my belly for the morning trip to the gym. My work out goes longer and I feel better instead of the OMG 1 more minute on this eliptical is going to kill me kill me kill me!!!

Use what works for you. Treat yourself to something once a week.

Acg67

I find it interesting that so many people believe they are somehow special, and different (physiologicaly speaking) than everyone else, and basic science doesn't apply to them.

If "so many people" believe it, then isn't there a good chance it is true?

@chrisdavey- Nice results. I see that it works for you. Way to go!

Look up the logical fallacy of Appeal to belief

And I generally get most of my cals in 1-3 meals a day

Sytera

I find it interesting that so many people believe they are somehow special, and different (physiologicaly speaking) than everyone else, and basic science doesn't apply to them.

If "so many people" believe it, then isn't there a good chance it is true?

Look up the logical fallacy of Appeal to belief

And I generally get most of my cals in 1-3 meals a day

Could it not be true for those people who believe it? Not everyone fits in the same shaped scientific box. Like rml_16 pointed out: "Even within the studies, it's based on the results of a MAJORITY, not 100% of participants." Maybe a study needs to be done with a large number of these believers. Some would eat their meals spread out like normal. The others would follow a 1-2 meals a day routine. Then see how those results compared. See if science could prove them wrong.

Acg67

I find it interesting that so many people believe they are somehow special, and different (physiologicaly speaking) than everyone else, and basic science doesn't apply to them.

If "so many people" believe it, then isn't there a good chance it is true?

Look up the logical fallacy of Appeal to belief

And I generally get most of my cals in 1-3 meals a day

Could it not be true for those people who believe it? Not everyone fits in the same shaped scientific box. Like rml_16 pointed out: "Even within the studies, it's based on the results of a MAJORITY, not 100% of participants." Maybe a study needs to be done with a large number of these believers. Some would eat their meals spread out like normal. The others would follow a 1-2 meals a day routine. Then see how those results compared. See if science could prove them wrong.

Can you give me a logical explanation of what difference would you see and why, if you tightly controlled calories and macros and just had them eat a different amount of meals?

bcattoes

I find it interesting that so many people believe they are somehow special, and different (physiologicaly speaking) than everyone else, and basic science doesn't apply to them.

If "so many people" believe it, then isn't there a good chance it is true?

Look up the logical fallacy of Appeal to belief

And I generally get most of my cals in 1-3 meals a day

Could it not be true for those people who believe it? Not everyone fits in the same shaped scientific box. Like rml_16 pointed out: "Even within the studies, it's based on the results of a MAJORITY, not 100% of participants." Maybe a study needs to be done with a large number of these believers. Some would eat their meals spread out like normal. The others would follow a 1-2 meals a day routine. Then see how those results compared. See if science could prove them wrong.

Can you give me a logical explanation of what difference would you see and why, if you tightly controlled calories and macros and just had them eat a different amount of meals?

I would think that for most there wouldn't be a whole lot of difference as long as it was tightly controlled. But outside that control, it seems logical that some would fail at trying to force a change in meal timing because they simply weren't happy. Psychology is just as big a part of dieting as physiology. Perhaps bigger.