What's your preferred eating frequency?

Beastette

Almost every day, except for when I'm hibernating. Obviously, I just sleep through the winter months as nature intended.

GaPeachRealtor

I also snack 3-4 times a day

pac4lyfe

n/a

pac4lyfe

I have a small-ish breakfast (300-400 cals), a mid morning snack if hungry (100-150 cals), try to make lunch my largest meal for the day (500 - 700 cals), have a small pre-workout snack (100-200 cals), and then two smaller/ lighter servings at dinner (around 200-300 cals for the first, and 100 - 150 cals for the second). Generally I eat the second only if I'm still hungry. Also, the snacks are not mandatory, more only if I feel like need something to eat.

It's weird, but this pattern sort of naturally developed as I've lost weight. I think it's just how my body wants to eat, so I just listen to my body.

I think this would work for me. I don't like to go too long without eating. I will try this out. Thanks!

rawhidenadz

usually 2 big meals and a few snacks over a 6 to 8 hour period.

shinkalork

I go with standard Breakfast,lunch and dinner but I put some snacks in betweens...Always checking so I don't go over my cal.
I make sure I get my proteins after my workout etc....

Go fine by me...Losing weight,feeling great etc..so for now..I'll stay that way.

brenda4life

I eat the 6 small meals of similar calories (about 240-260 cal/meal). I do not eat until after my morning workout which means I eat every 2-3 hours until 9pmish. At least one of my meals (2 if I am too busy to actually eat) is a protein shake. Since I started doing this I noticed my sugar levels remain consistent and while I never had diabetes, this feels best for me.

SurfyFriend

Meal frequency is irrelevant. As long as you hit your macros for the day and maintain a steady feeding window.

I like to eat 2 meals: one before (30% of daily intake) and after workout (70% of daily intake). Fast 20 hours/day, eat within 4 hours.

Macros? Is that "protein, carbs, fats, sugars" etc?
I thought that the most important was the net calories and the other parts that make it up is just a choice thing. I need to research this, obviously. How important is it to get your macros.

californiagirl2012

Meal frequency is irrelevant. As long as you hit your macros for the day and maintain a steady feeding window.

I like to eat 2 meals: one before (30% of daily intake) and after workout (70% of daily intake). Fast 20 hours/day, eat within 4 hours.

Macros? Is that "protein, carbs, fats, sugars" etc?
I thought that the most important was the net calories and the other parts that make it up is just a choice thing. I need to research this, obviously. How important is it to get your macros.

Don't worry. You are right ON. It is not important to have specific macros. Calories are all that matter. Of course you want enough protein but you don't have to have extra, and all carbs is obviously not healthy, as is all protein not healthy. Part of why all the diets backfire is because of the food restrictions and messing with your head. It makes it far to complicated.

I succeed without looking at macros, just eating at a deficit and now a maintenance budget, and no magic potions or protein powders or magic diet pills ==> http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/740340-i-lost-60-lbs-at-age-51-anyone-can-any-workout

Sarauk2sf

Meal frequency is irrelevant. As long as you hit your macros for the day and maintain a steady feeding window.

I like to eat 2 meals: one before (30% of daily intake) and after workout (70% of daily intake). Fast 20 hours/day, eat within 4 hours.

Macros? Is that "protein, carbs, fats, sugars" etc?
I thought that the most important was the net calories and the other parts that make it up is just a choice thing. I need to research this, obviously. How important is it to get your macros.

Don't worry. You are right ON. It is not important to have specific macros. Calories are all that matter. Of course you want enough protein but you don't have to have extra, and all carbs is obviously not healthy, as is all protein not healthy. Part of why all the diets backfire is because of the food restrictions and messing with your head. It makes it far to complicated.

I succeed without looking at macros, just eating at a deficit and now a maintenance budget, and no magic potions or protein powders or magic diet pills ==> http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/740340-i-lost-60-lbs-at-age-51-anyone-can-any-workout

Lol - yet again, directing someone to your posts. *sigh*

And you are wrong, From a body composition and health perspective, macros DO matter.

Sarauk2sf

Meal frequency is irrelevant. As long as you hit your macros for the day and maintain a steady feeding window.

I like to eat 2 meals: one before (30% of daily intake) and after workout (70% of daily intake). Fast 20 hours/day, eat within 4 hours.

Macros? Is that "protein, carbs, fats, sugars" etc?
I thought that the most important was the net calories and the other parts that make it up is just a choice thing. I need to research this, obviously. How important is it to get your macros.

Very basic and slightly oversimplified but:

Calories = weight loss
Macros = body composition, energy and effective body function (protein/carbs/fat).

SideSteel

From a body composition and health perspective, macros DO matter.

^ This is correct. Ignoring macronutrient intake is foolish, especially considering that MFP tracks those for you at no additional effort on your part.

Generally speaking:

Calories ---> Weight loss
Macronutrients

---

> Body composition
Micronutrients

---

> Health


A calorie is a calorie in terms of energy values but macronutrients are each utilized differently.

wbgolden

but she had a link and everything!

sarahg148

To OP...I'm starting to feel the same way. I think I'd rather wait until I'm a bit hungry and then eat a bigger meal and then do the same thing for next meal as needed for the day. I eat a lighter breakfast if I'm not that hungry...but it's like I'm always thinking about food. I don't want to think about food unless I'm hungry...it's so much wasted mental energy for me. I think I'm just going to really try to stick to just 3 larger meals/day and a very light snack before bed. I don't know if what I wrote is worded correctly. It's 1am here and I'm tired but wired...hope it made sense!:ohwell:

BelindaDuvessa

It really depends on where I am. While at work, I usually go no more than 2 hours without eating something. At least when I work the night shift. When I work the day shift, whenever I get sit and grab a bite to eat, I do. We don't get lunch Breaks at my job. I work at a jail, and apparently those labor laws don't apply to us. I don't mind, though. I usually eat when they are, which makes things easier.

When I am at home, I usually just eat whenever. I track for the day, and try to space stuff out, but I'm more likely to make it 3 meals a day, than small meals every few hours. Mostly, it just depends on how I feel. With this whole being pregnant bit right now, eating is sometimes inconsistent.

BusyRaeNOTBusty

I skip breakfast often because I don't have time. After that, it's all fair game.

EvgeniZyntx

3 solid meals, one or two which I prepare and take time to think about flavors, ingredients and sharing.
2-3 minor moments that are larger snacks.

I try to share a meal: family or friends daily and foodtalk is part of that.

jennifer_417

My preference would be to eat all the time, but that's how I got fat in the first place...:grumble:

Bassgirl51

0600 am
Pre work out snack sometimes
Breakfast
Mid morning snack
Lunch
Afternoon snack
Dinner around 5pm I try not to eat after 5

Jester522

Don't worry. You are right ON. It is not important to have specific macros. Calories are all that matter. Of course you want enough protein but you don't have to have extra, and all carbs is obviously not healthy, as is all protein not healthy. Part of why all the diets backfire is because of the food restrictions and messing with your head. It makes it far to complicated.

I succeed without looking at macros, just eating at a deficit and now a maintenance budget, and no magic potions or protein powders or magic diet pills ==> http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/740340-i-lost-60-lbs-at-age-51-anyone-can-any-workout

You again? Pshh.

Macros do matter - and it's a better method than counting calories to support proper nutritional quota. Calories can be used to set a baseline daily limitation on intake.

joankpoirier

I have been doing 5 smaller meals every 3 hours :happy:

I know its common around most weight loss practices to do the typical 3 meal, 3 snack thing (probably due to the highly perpetuated "eating more often speeds up your metabolism" myth), but I personally can't do it. I feel like all the times I've tried that, it's kept constantly thinking about food all day long, and never feeling truly satisfied or full after eating cos my meals had to be so darn tiny!

Lately I've kept it at three solid meals a day, sometimes two, breakfast being a small & simple serving of oatmeal with soymilk, walnut pieces & a banana. I prefer waiting until I'm actually a bit hungry, and then eating to my fill and not having to eat until several hours later. I enjoy my meals better that way as well, and I'd much rather save my calories to have a bigger serving of a hot dinner or lunch, than use them towards snacking on fiber bars or peanuts during the day (which usually don't do much for my hunger). But thats just me.

Anyone else have eating patterns that differ from the "norm" or are we all doing the snacky, frequent small meal sort of thing?

joankpoirier

love4fitnesslove4food_wechange

Meal frequency is irrelevant. As long as you hit your macros for the day and maintain a steady feeding window.

I like to eat 2 meals: one before (30% of daily intake) and after workout (70% of daily intake). Fast 20 hours/day, eat within 4 hours.

Macros? Is that "protein, carbs, fats, sugars" etc?
I thought that the most important was the net calories and the other parts that make it up is just a choice thing. I need to research this, obviously. How important is it to get your macros.

Don't worry. You are right ON. It is not important to have specific macros. Calories are all that matter. Of course you want enough protein but you don't have to have extra, and all carbs is obviously not healthy, as is all protein not healthy. Part of why all the diets backfire is because of the food restrictions and messing with your head. It makes it far to complicated.

I succeed without looking at macros, just eating at a deficit and now a maintenance budget, and no magic potions or protein powders or magic diet pills ==> http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/740340-i-lost-60-lbs-at-age-51-anyone-can-any-workout

Lol - yet again, directing someone to your posts. *sigh*

And you are wrong, From a body composition and health perspective, macros DO matter.

This woman never gives up. I really get tired of seeing these photos every time I go to help someone. ((Sigh)). 12% bodyfat is NOT HEALTHY for a woman to maintain all year--period. She wants to insert that tid bit into every post--how she's sooooo fit and thin, blah blah blah--yet fails to acknowledge that she's also at an unhealthy bf% for any female in her reproductive years.

Sarauk2sf

There is no physiological impact of intra-day meal timing, assuming calories and macros are kept constant.

flannelbug

I eat when I'm hungry (and when I have the time), but I dependably have a piece of fruit or some vegetables after dinner to prevent me from grazing the pantry.

LisaLouisiana

I eat when I'm hungry. I try to make myself start eating by 9:30 to prevent me from having to stuff myself at night to eat at least 1200 calories. I also eat late....I personally don't buy into the you have to finish your meals by such-and-such a time.