When do you eat most of your calories?

NLKatherine · January 2013

I've heard people say your biggest meal of the day should be Lunch I've also heard Dinner (or Supper depending on where you live) should be.

I'm just wondering if anyone else has found that eating more calories earlier vs later makes a difference? I try to keep my breakfast (green smoothies lately) under 250 calories, I don't (usually) snack much.

Feel free to check out my diary, I haven't been overly consistent lately but I'm trying!!!

jesskreg · January 2013

I don't think there is a right or wrong answer to this question. I think it all depends on your lifestyle and goals. Personally, I try to keep my breakfast at 250 calories, my lunch at a max. of 300, then allow myself to eat a larger, healthy dinner. That way, if I eat less than the amount of calories I have over for dinner, it leaves room for a late afternoon snack or bedtime snack. My calories are set at 1200 at the moment.

NinjaJinja · January 2013

I heard that breakfast ought to be the biggest and dinner should be the smallest.

Of course, that's not what I do. I eat small breakfasts and lunches and big dinners.

spade117 · January 2013

Wherever they fall. Majority of the time, it lunch, dinner and alcohol.

VivaLaMezzo · January 2013

I try to space my calories out throughout the day. 100 - 200 for snacks 250 - 350 for meals. I also try to get in 3 meals and 2 or 3 snacks. I find that I'm less hungry and don't have the crashes during the day that I've had on diets. This also keeps me on a pretty steady burn throughout the day. (Balanced protein/carbs and a low glycemic fruit or veg 2 or 3 times a day.) When I am consistent, I see good results with this.

pikachuFL · January 2013

I heard that breakfast ought to be the biggest and dinner should be the smallest.

Of course, that's not what I do. I eat small breakfasts and lunches and big dinners.

This is what I've heard, too.

I admit I've been bad about eating late in the day. I used to skip breakfast, eat lunch, be hungry around 2:00 and eat a snack then, eat supper after work at 5, then eat another small meal (which I called a snack) around 8 while watching my favorite tv shows. Now I eat breakfast and try to eat about the same amount of calories for each meal. I have one healthy snack (usually fruits or vegetables) around 8 because I was getting to be so hungry I had trouble falling asleep.

sissiluv · January 2013

I try for a large breakfast. Doesn't always pan out.

CyberEd312 · January 2013

There is no such thing as meal frequency.... As long as you are hitting your caloric intake for the day then eat whenever it feels right to you. I eat 3000-3400 calories a day and am a Type 2 Diabetic so I tend to spread my meals out.... 3 main meals and 3 snacks it keeps me from having any low blood sugars episodes and keeps me filled up.... Best of Luck

FredDoyle · January 2013

While I'm awake.

VeinsAndBones · January 2013

I eat about 70% of my calories before 4pm

eangell1992 · January 2013

My mother is a nutritionist of 15 years. She has raised me to always eat a moderate breakfast, a bigger lunch and a small dinner. Since I was a child, my meals were switched...for example, instead of having a spaghetti dinner....we would have that for lunch. And maybe a turkey sandwich for dinner. But for each lifestyle it varies. It all depends really when you are the most active and need the energy. If you eat dinner then go to the gym, sure a bigger dinner might be better for you so you have the energy you need. As for me, my mornings have always been slow so I normally eat a thin whole wheat bagel and an orange. Lunch today was homemade chicken fajita with green and red bell peppers with onions and celery as a snack also a Naked Fruit Juice Smoothie. And dinner will be a turkey breast and cheese sandwich on whole wheat. (since at night I usually just go home and relax) I try to keep most of my carbs during the day and not at dinner since they most likely won't be burned off after that. Of course I drink quite bit of water through out the day (about 48+ oz) which helps keep me full. I find having an actual reusable bottle rather than like a bottle of Deer Park, helps me drink more. Unfortunately, the past few years, I had seem to have forgotten the awesome, healthy lifestyle my mother had raised me in...hence why I'm on here trying to get back on track!

Hope this helps!

Molly_Maguire · January 2013

I eat very very light throughout the beginning of the day, then eat whatever I want for dinner. It usually balances out. I don't think it matters when you eat your calories, at least not for me.