Is grazing ok?

valorieflowers

So I have heard plenty of times that it is better for your metabolism to eat every three hours in like six small meals instead of three big meals. What I wonder though is if it is still good if I eat even more often (small amounts). I naturally tend to graze. So when I am at my desk at work I like to eat every 1-2 hours, while still staying in line on my calories and macros. For example, instead of one bigger meal or snack, I might eat some pistachios here, a string cheese there, a little beef jerky here, some carrots there, all over like 4 hours. Is that good, keeping my metabolism constantly going a little bit, or would I be better off to put 3 hours between all my meals and snacks?

Thanks for any insight anyone may have.

yuliyax

It doesn't make any difference, modify your diet to fit your lifestyle. I see too many people changing their lifestyle to conform to a diet, when it should be the other way around. The reasons weight loss efforts fail is because it sucks to be on a diet. It's going to suck no matter what you do, but at least try to make it suck a little less, where possible.

JayByrd107

You don't have to keep eating constantly to keep your metabolism going. See myth #1 at:

http://www.leangains.com/2010/10/top-ten-fasting-myths-debunked.html

MaryBowen27

My fitness instructor suggested I avoid grazing- at least "unplanned grazing." It's one thing to have 6 purposely planned smaller meals, and another to just be picking at things all day, which can make it much easier to go way above, or way below calorie count. It can also be harder to monitor daily intake of carbs, protein and fat.

I don't think it's the worst thing in the world if you being conscious and eating healthier things, but just make sure you're getting enough (or not getting too much).

LovingLisa2012

if that is what works for you and you are tracking your calories, i see nothing wrong with it

me personally i need 3 meals a day and some times a snack or 2 (that works for me)
i couldn't do mini meals but that works for some

track it and move on :flowerforyou:
its your life(style) not some one elses

valorieflowers

Thanks Jay. That may be true. I am not really concerned about if I have to eat frequently for my metabloism, it's more that I just do prefer to "graze" and eat little bits of food more frequently and I want to see if that is bad for my metabolism or if it doesn't really matter.

valorieflowers

Thanks every one. I do have the stuff I eat all meticulously planned and portioned, I just didn't know how much timing matters. But, yeah I do like the idea of just eating it when and how I want. Not sure I even would change it if I find out it's not great.

MaryBowen27

Thanks every one. I do have the stuff I eat all meticulously planned and portioned, I just didn't know how much timing matters. But, yeah I do like the idea of just eating it when and how I want. Not sure I even would change it if I find out it's not great.

As long as your planning and portioning, I can't imagine it matters too much