How bad is not eating until late in the day?

rsjohnb

I already know the awnser to this but what are the thoughts on not eating until later? I ended up missing breakfast and lunch today so went 13 hours on coffee and a couple of sweets, by the time i got home was STARVING, ended up in the takeaway shop, plugging it in to the calorie counter im still under my total but do you think my body will be doing the staving so save it thing by the time I eat my dinner???

adrenaline682

You'll be fine.

SideSteel

I already know the awnser to this but what are the thoughts on not eating until later? I ended up missing breakfast and lunch today so went 13 hours on coffee and a couple of sweets, by the time i got home was STARVING, ended up in the takeaway shop, plugging it in to the calorie counter im still under my total but do you think my body will be doing the staving so save it thing by the time I eat my dinner???

You're fine. Total caloric intake matters most. How you divide those calories into your individual meals will effect preferential things like mood, possibly gym performance, etc, etc, but how it effects your metabolism/fat loss is negligible.

You could literally eat all your calories between dinner and bedtime in one or two big meals and if you behave fine on that method you will still make great progress.

Chief_Rocka

Doesn't matter

nice hat

Sarauk2sf

I already know the awnser to this but what are the thoughts on not eating until later? I ended up missing breakfast and lunch today so went 13 hours on coffee and a couple of sweets, by the time i got home was STARVING, ended up in the takeaway shop, plugging it in to the calorie counter im still under my total but do you think my body will be doing the staving so save it thing by the time I eat my dinner???

You're fine. Total caloric intake matters most. How you divide those calories into your individual meals will effect preferential things like mood, possibly gym performance, etc, etc, but how it effects your metabolism/fat loss is negligible.

You could literally eat all your calories between dinner and bedtime in one or two big meals and if you behave fine on that method you will still make great progress.

^^yep

FITnFIRM4LIFE

Eat most of mine at night!:-)

ladyrider55

Not to worry you'll be OK. I work 3rd shift and most days my 1st meal is at 3 PM.

rsjohnb

Cool thanks, going to have a jaffa cake to celebrate!!

neiljbrady

Totally agree. Worst is psychological, thinking you're going to "starve" to death. Usually the problem is that you end up "gorging". If you didn't do that " no worries".

yogafan63

I just started taking a nutrition class, and the teacher (with a masters in nutrition) states that your body is more insulin sensitive later in the day. That is why you should eat the most in the morning, and least at night. It's hard to do with a job, but he says that yes, it does hurt you to eat most of your food late in the day. Some people obviously have success even if they do that. And even the teacher says that no one can do everything 100% of the time. But I would imagine if this is your norm, it will hurt your weight loss goals or at least be not as healthy.

oh_em_gee

personally, I'd be tired, crabby, and dizzy, but if it works for you, go for it. I skip dinner, so I'm the opposite. My theory is, eat the calories while I'm up and using them, instead of pile on the food and then sleep.

sunlover89

I do this deliberately, every day! I'm in intermittent faster and my eating window is from 3-9, it works absolutely fabulously for me :-)

mmddwechanged

No you are fine! Actually you're having a better day than I. It's only 1:30 in the afternoon and I've already surpassed my fat goal.

now_or_never13

I just started taking a nutrition class, and the teacher (with a masters in nutrition) states that your body is more insulin sensitive later in the day. That is why you should eat the most in the morning, and least at night. It's hard to do with a job, but he says that yes, it does hurt you to eat most of your food late in the day. Some people obviously have success even if they do that. And even the teacher says that no one can do everything 100% of the time. But I would imagine if this is your norm, it will hurt your weight loss goals or at least be not as healthy.

Calories in vs calories out is what causes someone to lose or gain weight.

Derpina7

Check out the intermittent fasting threads.. Everyone has a different take, some people prefer to do it and it works great for them, others prefer 3 solid meals or smaller meals throughout the day. I don't really think there's a right or wrong way, just as long as you're getting the calories you need.

trojanbb

I just started taking a nutrition class, and the teacher (with a masters in nutrition) states that your body is more insulin sensitive later in the day. That is why you should eat the most in the morning, and least at night. It's hard to do with a job, but he says that yes, it does hurt you to eat most of your food late in the day. Some people obviously have success even if they do that. And even the teacher says that no one can do everything 100% of the time. But I would imagine if this is your norm, it will hurt your weight loss goals or at least be not as healthy.

Get a refund. It's the other way around. It's slightly better to eat later on as opposed to frontloading the calories. As far as weight loss goes, it's absolutely better not to eat most of your calories in the morning for several reasons.

Missjulesdid

It's only bad if not eating causes you to binge later or make bad food choices. Controlled IF is awesome though.

mommamellymac

Thank you for asking this question! i was wondering the same thing because with the kids, I normally survive on my coffee until later!

sofielein

I'm in intermittent faster and my eating window is from 3-9

wow, I didn't know this was called intermittend fasting but my brother and I both ate like this as kids (totally nothing until we got home from school) - we were not overweight kids!

nxd10

You'll live. When I go too long without eating, I got grumpy and I tend to over-eat - even if I'm under my calorie goals. Not good for me.

Tomorrow's another day. If you sleep late, grab an apple.

SGT_Reg

One method that is lie what you are taking about. Check it out-- http://www.leangains.com/2010/04/leangains-guide.html

Free eBook- http://www.precisionnutrition.com/intermittent-fasting


Cal calculator- http://www.1percentedge.com/ifcalc/

Ythiel

What's with everyone stating 'it's okay'? It most definitely is not.

We need food in regular paced intervals to keep our metabolism going. After your night's sleep (which is like fasting for 12 hours, also your metabolism slows down during your sleep), you need food to kickstart your metabolism. If you do not have breakfast, your body with go into preservation mode to get all it's nutrients from places you've stored them. You'd think that's fat, but eh no. The burning of fat requires energy your body doesn't have when you don't eat breakfast: causing for your fat to only be partially oxidized.

So when around lunchtime you decide, well, maybe I should eat, your body will gear up and hold on to those nutrients and carbs you just ate because it hasn't had anything yet.

Fasting for long periods of time doesn't help jack-squat in my opinion considering during these fasting periods your body goes into 'starvation mode' dipping into energy sources within the body. It lowers the metabolism speed, your appetite etcetera. It also drains you from energy and isn't to be considered healthy due to the fact you actually do need certain nutrients to stay alive. When you get out of the fasting period and eat again, once more, your body will hold onto those nutrients because our body has to make up for the earlier loss.

HOWEVER. I do agree there's a certain power in long-term fasting intervals (so, let's say one day per week). Studies have shown it does help increase the fat oxidition.

In short: eat meals at regulars intervals. Educate yourself if you're curious about intermittent fasting.

sources to back it up:
http://www.thekitchn.com/why-breakfast-is-the-most-impo-1-113418
http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/healthy_breakfast.shtml
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/guide/fasting
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-19112549
http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.hro.nl/ehost/detail?sid=8a653800-616c-4242-8ea7-f0042ad00409@sessionmgr4&vid=1&hid=13&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ==#db=rzh&AN=2005078893

princessd84

I don't know how it will affect your weight loss, but it would definitely play havoc with your blood sugar levels. You might still lose weight but it's not healthy.

now_or_never13

What's with everyone stating 'it's okay'? It most definitely is not.

We need food in regular paced intervals to keep our metabolism going. After your night's sleep (which is like fasting for 12 hours, also your metabolism slows down during your sleep), you need food to kickstart your metabolism. If you do not have breakfast, your body with go into preservation mode to get all it's nutrients from places you've stored them. You'd think that's fat, but eh no. The burning of fat requires energy your body doesn't have when you don't eat breakfast: causing for your fat to only be partially oxidized.

So when around lunchtime you decide, well, maybe I should eat, your body will gear up and hold on to those nutrients and carbs you just ate because it hasn't had anything yet.

Fasting for long periods of time doesn't help jack-squat in my opinion considering during these fasting periods your body goes into 'starvation mode' dipping into energy sources within the body. It lowers the metabolism speed, your appetite etcetera. It also drains you from energy and isn't to be considered healthy due to the fact you actually do need certain nutrients to stay alive. When you get out of the fasting period and eat again, once more, your body will hold onto those nutrients because our body has to make up for the earlier loss.

HOWEVER. I do agree there's a certain power in long-term fasting intervals (so, let's say one day per week). Studies have shown it does help increase the fat oxidition.

In short: eat meals at regulars intervals. Educate yourself if you're curious about intermittent fasting.

sources to back it up:
http://www.thekitchn.com/why-breakfast-is-the-most-impo-1-113418
http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/healthy_breakfast.shtml
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/guide/fasting
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-19112549
http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.hro.nl/ehost/detail?sid=8a653800-616c-4242-8ea7-f0042ad00409@sessionmgr4&vid=1&hid=13&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ==#db=rzh&AN=2005078893

A link that actually says starvation mode is not one to be trusted.

Show some peer reviewed studies. Non of your links have any actual science in them. For some not eating in the morning is bad because it causes them to eat more later in the day or not make good choices.

If you control your food and stay within your calories it is fine. Your body won't go into starvation mode or preservation mode etc and your metabolism will not slow until you have not had any food for over 72 hours.

Your metabolism only slows when you lose lean muscle mass.

If you were correct the people on this site who have lost tons of weight and maintained it with IF wouldn't be around.

SideSteel

Those of you suggesting that its not okay for metabolic reasons, please see here. Please note that I have included research in this post: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/820577-meal-frequency-rev-up-that-furnace-lol

Sarauk2sf

What's with everyone stating 'it's okay'? It most definitely is not.

Yes it is. Please show an actual peer reviewed study, not an article regurgitating this myth, that indicates that not eating for up to say 24 hours impacts your metabolism.

mmapags

What's with everyone stating 'it's okay'? It most definitely is not.

We need food in regular paced intervals to keep our metabolism going. After your night's sleep (which is like fasting for 12 hours, also your metabolism slows down during your sleep), you need food to kickstart your metabolism. If you do not have breakfast, your body with go into preservation mode to get all it's nutrients from places you've stored them. You'd think that's fat, but eh no. The burning of fat requires energy your body doesn't have when you don't eat breakfast: causing for your fat to only be partially oxidized.

So when around lunchtime you decide, well, maybe I should eat, your body will gear up and hold on to those nutrients and carbs you just ate because it hasn't had anything yet.

Fasting for long periods of time doesn't help jack-squat in my opinion considering during these fasting periods your body goes into 'starvation mode' dipping into energy sources within the body. It lowers the metabolism speed, your appetite etcetera. It also drains you from energy and isn't to be considered healthy due to the fact you actually do need certain nutrients to stay alive. When you get out of the fasting period and eat again, once more, your body will hold onto those nutrients because our body has to make up for the earlier loss.

HOWEVER. I do agree there's a certain power in long-term fasting intervals (so, let's say one day per week). Studies have shown it does help increase the fat oxidition.

In short: eat meals at regulars intervals. Educate yourself if you're curious about intermittent fasting.

sources to back it up:
http://www.thekitchn.com/why-breakfast-is-the-most-impo-1-113418
http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/healthy_breakfast.shtml
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/guide/fasting
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-19112549
http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.hro.nl/ehost/detail?sid=8a653800-616c-4242-8ea7-f0042ad00409@sessionmgr4&vid=1&hid=13&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ==#db=rzh&AN=2005078893

This entire post is myth and misinformation. Please review the link that Sidesteel posted that has acutal research and not news stories and questionable websites.

laurelobrien

What's with everyone stating 'it's okay'? It most definitely is not.

We need food in regular paced intervals to keep our metabolism going. After your night's sleep (which is like fasting for 12 hours, also your metabolism slows down during your sleep), you need food to kickstart your metabolism. If you do not have breakfast, your body with go into preservation mode to get all it's nutrients from places you've stored them. You'd think that's fat, but eh no. The burning of fat requires energy your body doesn't have when you don't eat breakfast: causing for your fat to only be partially oxidized.

So when around lunchtime you decide, well, maybe I should eat, your body will gear up and hold on to those nutrients and carbs you just ate because it hasn't had anything yet.

Fasting for long periods of time doesn't help jack-squat in my opinion considering during these fasting periods your body goes into 'starvation mode' dipping into energy sources within the body. It lowers the metabolism speed, your appetite etcetera. It also drains you from energy and isn't to be considered healthy due to the fact you actually do need certain nutrients to stay alive. When you get out of the fasting period and eat again, once more, your body will hold onto those nutrients because our body has to make up for the earlier loss.

HOWEVER. I do agree there's a certain power in long-term fasting intervals (so, let's say one day per week). Studies have shown it does help increase the fat oxidition.

In short: eat meals at regulars intervals. Educate yourself if you're curious about intermittent fasting.

sources to back it up:
http://www.thekitchn.com/why-breakfast-is-the-most-impo-1-113418
http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/healthy_breakfast.shtml
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/guide/fasting
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-19112549
http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.hro.nl/ehost/detail?sid=8a653800-616c-4242-8ea7-f0042ad00409@sessionmgr4&vid=1&hid=13&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ==#db=rzh&AN=2005078893

A huge problem with MFP forums is responses like these with no peer-reviewed evidence - just someone parroting what they read "somewhere". It is absolutely fine to fast for longer than 12 hours, I've done it for the last 12 months under the guidance of a doctor and reading thoroughly on the topic. And said readings weren't done on WebMD...

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23171320
there are about 100 more on that website, and many others with peer-reviewed journals and tests.
Fasting for less than 24 hours will not even "play havoc" with your blood sugar levels, unless you have a pre-existing condition

moustache_flavored_lube

I just started taking a nutrition class, and the teacher (with a masters in nutrition) states that your body is more insulin sensitive later in the day. That is why you should eat the most in the morning, and least at night. It's hard to do with a job, but he says that yes, it does hurt you to eat most of your food late in the day. Some people obviously have success even if they do that. And even the teacher says that no one can do everything 100% of the time. But I would imagine if this is your norm, it will hurt your weight loss goals or at least be not as healthy.

This is completely backwards!! Insulin sensitivity is highest in the morning

I also agree science shows no correlation to needing frequent meals to keep your metabolism up.

In my experience frequent smaller meals can help control appetite

mfpcopine

Not a problem, so long as you feel good. Look at the IF and Myth of Starvation Mode threads.

ninerbuff

I just started taking a nutrition class, and the teacher (with a masters in nutrition) states that your body is more insulin sensitive later in the day. That is why you should eat the most in the morning, and least at night. It's hard to do with a job, but he says that yes, it does hurt you to eat most of your food late in the day. Some people obviously have success even if they do that. And even the teacher says that no one can do everything 100% of the time. But I would imagine if this is your norm, it will hurt your weight loss goals or at least be not as healthy.

You need a new teacher then. Peer reviewed clinical studies verify what most here have agreed with.


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