true or false: meal frequency / meal timing matters
Replies
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:huh:
So, if you require 2500 calories a day to maintain your weight, but you only eat 2000 calories a day total, but all in one sitting, you'll gain weight, is that what you're saying?
I'm thinking "not"...:smokin:
Why don't you try and let me know how that works out?
You people believe what you want. Personally I can tell whether my energy is coming from stored glycogen or fat reserves. Glycogen=happy time. Fat reserves = shaky, tired, and miserable.
Been there, done that. Used to eat my entire daily intake in a 2 hour window. Lost weight like a mofo...0 -
false now I never eat after dinner, but that is because I have a propensity to late night binge and it's better to never start.
oops true0 -
I don't think it matters but you have to find what works for you. When I tried the 5-6 meals a day I just couldn't keep under my calorie limit - and yes, I tried to keep it all healthy stuff.
I find that in order *for me* to stay under my calorie limit I do better with three meals. Then I can space out my calories and I don't think about food all day long - which is probably why I had such a hard time staying under my calories when I tried the 5-6 meal thing.
It really does come down to calories in vs calories burned.0 -
:huh:
So, if you require 2500 calories a day to maintain your weight, but you only eat 2000 calories a day total, but all in one sitting, you'll gain weight, is that what you're saying?
I'm thinking "not"...:smokin:
Why don't you try and let me know how that works out?
You people believe what you want. Personally I can tell whether my energy is coming from stored glycogen or fat reserves. Glycogen=happy time. Fat reserves = shaky, tired, and miserable.
Lets try a little experiment---eat your normal breakfast then go run a few miles in the morning. Then do it the next day but don't eat breakfast. I can promise you if you skip breakfast youre going to be miserable running because your body has already depleted its glycogen reserves during the night, and the process to break down fat for energy will leave you feeling like crap while running. It's been a long time since I've studied the actual process but it takes longer to break down stored fat for fuel and you can feel that. You know once you've depleted your glycogen reserves.
Does it make a difference eating 6 meals or 3? I dont know. I do know from the extreme example of eating one meal a day the results won't be pleasant.
IF followers do it often. So...what was your point again?0 -
I think meal timing does matter but not for the reasons usually stated. It matters for bloodsugar spikes and dips, cravings, and the tendency to gorge or make poor choices when you get yourself in a bind and need food NOW. I think eating those small meals and eating on a consistent schedule just helps to prevent moments of weakness and accidents that become bad habits quick.
This. ^^^^^^0 -
I think meal timing does matter but not for the reasons usually stated. It matters for bloodsugar spikes and dips, cravings, and the tendency to gorge or make poor choices when you get yourself in a bind and need food NOW. I think eating those small meals and eating on a consistent schedule just helps to prevent moments of weakness and accidents that become bad habits quick.
If your pancreas is working properly your blood sugar will stay level. You may need to see a doctor for some diabetes testing. You may not be able to skip meals because you are hungry, but don't blame your blood sugar. unless you are diabetic.0 -
I think meal timing does matter but not for the reasons usually stated. It matters for bloodsugar spikes and dips, cravings, and the tendency to gorge or make poor choices when you get yourself in a bind and need food NOW. I think eating those small meals and eating on a consistent schedule just helps to prevent moments of weakness and accidents that become bad habits quick.
Well said.0 -
Strong broscience.I can't believe my eyes. Meal timing absolutely matters. Your body doesnt have some magic 24 hour clock and at the end of that period does the math and says "well look, lets take the total in and the total out and decide to make fat or not"
NO NO NO. It absolutely doesnt work like that. Your body works in the moment. If you gobble down 2000 calories in one meal and it will be converted to fat. No doubt. Then you will be miserable the rest of the day. Your body has some buffers...like the sugar stored in your liver...the best way is to feed your body as youre using calories.
Your body can only store so much "short term" energy and if you eat too much in one sitting it will be converted to fat. If you then follow up with a fast then your metabolism will slow down. You dont have to be a genius to figure this out.
A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0 -
I skip breakfast every morning and train fasted. Hasn't hampered my workouts or physique.
:huh:
So, if you require 2500 calories a day to maintain your weight, but you only eat 2000 calories a day total, but all in one sitting, you'll gain weight, is that what you're saying?
I'm thinking "not"...:smokin:
Why don't you try and let me know how that works out?
You people believe what you want. Personally I can tell whether my energy is coming from stored glycogen or fat reserves. Glycogen=happy time. Fat reserves = shaky, tired, and miserable.
Lets try a little experiment---eat your normal breakfast then go run a few miles in the morning. Then do it the next day but don't eat breakfast. I can promise you if you skip breakfast youre going to be miserable running because your body has already depleted its glycogen reserves during the night, and the process to break down fat for energy will leave you feeling like crap while running. It's been a long time since I've studied the actual process but it takes longer to break down stored fat for fuel and you can feel that. You know once you've depleted your glycogen reserves.
Does it make a difference eating 6 meals or 3? I dont know. I do know from the extreme example of eating one meal a day the results won't be pleasant.
A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0 -
I can't believe my eyes. Meal timing absolutely matters. Your body doesnt have some magic 24 hour clock and at the end of that period does the math and says "well look, lets take the total in and the total out and decide to make fat or not"
NO NO NO. It absolutely doesnt work like that. Your body works in the moment. If you gobble down 2000 calories in one meal and it will be converted to fat. No doubt. Then you will be miserable the rest of the day. Your body has some buffers...like the sugar stored in your liver...the best way is to feed your body as youre using calories.
Your body can only store so much "short term" energy and if you eat too much in one sitting it will be converted to fat. If you then follow up with a fast then your metabolism will slow down. You dont have to be a genius to figure this out.
Holy moly!
And what happens the rest of the day when you eat nothing? [Assuming that your 2,000 is your intake for the day irrespective of meal timing].
Also, it takes about 72 hours for your metabolism to start slowing down.0 -
:huh:
So, if you require 2500 calories a day to maintain your weight, but you only eat 2000 calories a day total, but all in one sitting, you'll gain weight, is that what you're saying?
I'm thinking "not"...:smokin:
Why don't you try and let me know how that works out?
You people believe what you want. Personally I can tell whether my energy is coming from stored glycogen or fat reserves. Glycogen=happy time. Fat reserves = shaky, tired, and miserable.
Lets try a little experiment---eat your normal breakfast then go run a few miles in the morning. Then do it the next day but don't eat breakfast. I can promise you if you skip breakfast youre going to be miserable running because your body has already depleted its glycogen reserves during the night, and the process to break down fat for energy will leave you feeling like crap while running. It's been a long time since I've studied the actual process but it takes longer to break down stored fat for fuel and you can feel that. You know once you've depleted your glycogen reserves.
Does it make a difference eating 6 meals or 3? I dont know. I do know from the extreme example of eating one meal a day the results won't be pleasant.
What does that have to do with fat oxidation for the entire day?
Also, I don't run.0 -
If I am caloric surplus, meal timing is not so important. However, if I am in a deficit, I find that meal timing is important. When I speak of timing, I mean a pre-workout meal. Energy balance is the key and of course is based on the individual.
Once again, people take things to extremes of both ends. When in reality it's the middle that matters.0 -
NOI can't believe my eyes. Meal timing absolutely matters. Your body doesnt have some magic 24 hour clock and at the end of that period does the math and says "well look, lets take the total in and the total out and decide to make fat or not"
NO NO NO. It absolutely doesnt work like that. Your body works in the moment. If you gobble down 2000 calories in one meal and it will be converted to fat. No doubt. Then you will be miserable the rest of the day. Your body has some buffers...like the sugar stored in your liver...the best way is to feed your body as youre using calories.
Your body can only store so much "short term" energy and if you eat too much in one sitting it will be converted to fat. If you then follow up with a fast then your metabolism will slow down. You dont have to be a genius to figure this out.0 -
:huh:
So, if you require 2500 calories a day to maintain your weight, but you only eat 2000 calories a day total, but all in one sitting, you'll gain weight, is that what you're saying?
I'm thinking "not"...:smokin:
Why don't you try and let me know how that works out?
You people believe what you want. Personally I can tell whether my energy is coming from stored glycogen or fat reserves. Glycogen=happy time. Fat reserves = shaky, tired, and miserable.
Lets try a little experiment---eat your normal breakfast then go run a few miles in the morning. Then do it the next day but don't eat breakfast. I can promise you if you skip breakfast youre going to be miserable running because your body has already depleted its glycogen reserves during the night, and the process to break down fat for energy will leave you feeling like crap while running. It's been a long time since I've studied the actual process but it takes longer to break down stored fat for fuel and you can feel that. You know once you've depleted your glycogen reserves.
Does it make a difference eating 6 meals or 3? I dont know. I do know from the extreme example of eating one meal a day the results won't be pleasant.
IF followers do it often. So...what was your point again?
IF followers tend to focus on bodybuilding, which is great. Burning stored fat can also be good for endurance sport below the lactate threshold. If you want to do anaerobic sports though, glycogen is the best way. My anaerobic fitness and well being has skyrocketed since partitioning my carbs, loading high GI around workouts and low gi paleo at other times. You can't be an anaerobic athlete without em!0 -
I skip breakfast every morning and train fasted. Hasn't hampered my workouts or physique.
:huh:
So, if you require 2500 calories a day to maintain your weight, but you only eat 2000 calories a day total, but all in one sitting, you'll gain weight, is that what you're saying?
I'm thinking "not"...:smokin:
Why don't you try and let me know how that works out?
You people believe what you want. Personally I can tell whether my energy is coming from stored glycogen or fat reserves. Glycogen=happy time. Fat reserves = shaky, tired, and miserable.
Lets try a little experiment---eat your normal breakfast then go run a few miles in the morning. Then do it the next day but don't eat breakfast. I can promise you if you skip breakfast youre going to be miserable running because your body has already depleted its glycogen reserves during the night, and the process to break down fat for energy will leave you feeling like crap while running. It's been a long time since I've studied the actual process but it takes longer to break down stored fat for fuel and you can feel that. You know once you've depleted your glycogen reserves.
Does it make a difference eating 6 meals or 3? I dont know. I do know from the extreme example of eating one meal a day the results won't be pleasant.
A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
Out of interest, what kind of training do you do fasted? I find I can't go more than aerobic (zone 4) without bonking whilst fasted.0 -
:huh:
So, if you require 2500 calories a day to maintain your weight, but you only eat 2000 calories a day total, but all in one sitting, you'll gain weight, is that what you're saying?
I'm thinking "not"...:smokin:
Why don't you try and let me know how that works out?
You people believe what you want. Personally I can tell whether my energy is coming from stored glycogen or fat reserves. Glycogen=happy time. Fat reserves = shaky, tired, and miserable.
Lets try a little experiment---eat your normal breakfast then go run a few miles in the morning. Then do it the next day but don't eat breakfast. I can promise you if you skip breakfast youre going to be miserable running because your body has already depleted its glycogen reserves during the night, and the process to break down fat for energy will leave you feeling like crap while running. It's been a long time since I've studied the actual process but it takes longer to break down stored fat for fuel and you can feel that. You know once you've depleted your glycogen reserves.
Does it make a difference eating 6 meals or 3? I dont know. I do know from the extreme example of eating one meal a day the results won't be pleasant.
IF followers do it often. So...what was your point again?
IF followers tend to focus on bodybuilding, which is great. Burning stored fat can also be good for endurance sport below the lactate threshold. If you want to do anaerobic sports though, glycogen is the best way. My anaerobic fitness and well being has skyrocketed since partitioning my carbs, loading high GI around workouts and low gi paleo at other times. You can't be an anaerobic athlete without em!
Bodybuilding is an anaerobic activity. Many bb'ers train fasted.0 -
If I am caloric surplus, meal timing is not so important. However, if I am in a deficit, I find that meal timing is important. When I speak of timing, I mean a pre-workout meal. Energy balance is the key and of course is based on the individual.
Once again, people take things to extremes of both ends. When in reality it's the middle that matters.
QFT.
Meal timing/frequency does matter - to the extent that it impacts energy levels, especially for gym performance, and adherence. Directly for weight loss...not to any appreciable degree. Caveat: that having extremes regarding protein intake is arguably not optimal.0 -
Eat something prior to training then.
I skip breakfast every morning and train fasted. Hasn't hampered my workouts or physique.
:huh:
So, if you require 2500 calories a day to maintain your weight, but you only eat 2000 calories a day total, but all in one sitting, you'll gain weight, is that what you're saying?
I'm thinking "not"...:smokin:
Why don't you try and let me know how that works out?
You people believe what you want. Personally I can tell whether my energy is coming from stored glycogen or fat reserves. Glycogen=happy time. Fat reserves = shaky, tired, and miserable.
Lets try a little experiment---eat your normal breakfast then go run a few miles in the morning. Then do it the next day but don't eat breakfast. I can promise you if you skip breakfast youre going to be miserable running because your body has already depleted its glycogen reserves during the night, and the process to break down fat for energy will leave you feeling like crap while running. It's been a long time since I've studied the actual process but it takes longer to break down stored fat for fuel and you can feel that. You know once you've depleted your glycogen reserves.
Does it make a difference eating 6 meals or 3? I dont know. I do know from the extreme example of eating one meal a day the results won't be pleasant.
A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
Out of interest, what kind of training do you do fasted? I find I can't go more than aerobic (zone 4) without bonking whilst fasted.0 -
:huh:
So, if you require 2500 calories a day to maintain your weight, but you only eat 2000 calories a day total, but all in one sitting, you'll gain weight, is that what you're saying?
I'm thinking "not"...:smokin:
Why don't you try and let me know how that works out?
You people believe what you want. Personally I can tell whether my energy is coming from stored glycogen or fat reserves. Glycogen=happy time. Fat reserves = shaky, tired, and miserable.
Lets try a little experiment---eat your normal breakfast then go run a few miles in the morning. Then do it the next day but don't eat breakfast. I can promise you if you skip breakfast youre going to be miserable running because your body has already depleted its glycogen reserves during the night, and the process to break down fat for energy will leave you feeling like crap while running. It's been a long time since I've studied the actual process but it takes longer to break down stored fat for fuel and you can feel that. You know once you've depleted your glycogen reserves.
Does it make a difference eating 6 meals or 3? I dont know. I do know from the extreme example of eating one meal a day the results won't be pleasant.
Absolute nonsense. Your body doesn't switch from purely glycogen fuelling to purely fat fuelling. Any glycogen depletion overnight will be minimal. Even when you are actively exercising your body is replacing glycogen reserves from your fat stores. Your body doesn't work how you think it does.
I can train fasted either aerobic or weights - no problem. Yes if I'm cycling at a high intensity for over two hours I would take on board some nice simple and complex carbs beforehand to avoid bonking (glycogen depletion) but the idea you have to constantly fuel exercise is incorrect.0 -
Absolutely this^.Meal timing in the long run, for weight loss, does not matter. Sure, there are some arguable benefits of overconsuming and NEAT/TEF advantages, but that won't add up to much and usually the method of achieving these effects do not warrant the effort. However, the body is really good at homeostasis.
For example, a lot of studies conclude that metabolism is sped up by frequent eating when they show that the body expends more energy after a "meal" (thus, eating more frequently = expending energy more frequently = metabolic advantage). However, further research has shown that this energy expenditure scales with the size of the meal, and thus even if you consume less frequently, if the diet is isocaloric, both will expend over a period of time the same amount of energy. Thus, it ultimately boils down to calories in and calories out, although people will function better mentally (and physically depending on their Circadian Cycle), but will ultimately derive no superiority in long-term composition.
Athlete's, on the other hand, have to more closely monitor their timing for optimal performance (carb loading and glycogen depletion, fueling workouts, not eating too much that they are uncomfortable or eating enough they feel energized, etc.)
Meal timing protocols, fasting, substrate mixing all demonstrate some variations and effects. It is absolutely secondary to consistency in long term calorie modification.
Furthermore anyone saying that they do not use some energy from fat reserves at all times just doesn't understand biology. Short term FFA use is at least 30%~50% even at the lowest activity level.0 -
I bet if you drank 40,000 calories of oil at once, you'd process less of that than if you drank 8,000 calories every 4 hours for a day.
You'd die.
Or want to.0 -
I think it matters in terms of keeping control of unhealthy snacking.
If you plan to make your 1600 calories for the day over 3 meals, but then you end up snacking in between those meals, then obviously the 3 meals a day won't work for you, and you would be better to plan 5 or 6 smaller meals.
But some people may have no problem with this and find 3 meals works fine.
I think the important thing is to know your own body and what works best for you.
I had someone try to tell me I should have 30 grams of protein in the first 30 minutes of my day, but I struggled to
a) eat in the first 30 minutes of my day
b) Find a meal for breakfast which had 30 grams of protein and did not make me feel sick.
So now I eat my first meal about an hour after I wake up and it usually had about 15 grams of protein.
It works for me and I usually only have a cup of tea for morning tea.
However, I find I do need a snack between lunch and dinner, or else I end up buying some sugar laden junk food. Especially if I plan to go to the gym.0 -
I bet if you drank 40,000 calories of oil at once, you'd process less of that than if you drank 8,000 calories every 4 hours for a day.
LA Beast consumed 24,000 calories in 3 minutes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttC7KbE_uDo
It doesn't look pleasant.0 -
I agree. it doesn't matter at all. if you eat 1000 calories for dinner, or in 6 tiny meals it is the same! I also disagree with the idea that eating infrequently leads to starvation mode and "you wont lose weight". if you DIDNT lose weight when you stop eating enough, people would never starve!
BUT
1) eating frequently means you are unlikely to go on a ravenous binge later - as you are never hungry
2) your blood sugar remains more or less on an even keel. but if you only eat dinner, you are likely to crave a sugar boost and hence exceed calories
3) starvation mode - when you stop the restricted eating your hunger comes back worse, and it is a craving for fats and sugars.0 -
False. It's a myth. Lots of people get great results with intermittent fasting.0
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The only thing I know is that if I eat more frequently, which is basically 4 small meals a day with a few healthy snacks, I'm less likely to binge. If I go too long without eating, I eat too hungry, my blood sugar crashes, and I'll eat whatever is handy.0
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I bet if you drank 40,000 calories of oil at once, you'd process less of that than if you drank 8,000 calories every 4 hours for a day.
LA Beast consumed 24,000 calories in 3 minuteshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttC7KbE_uDo
It doesn't look pleasant.
It looks disgusting.
He notes: "For the record I have been on the toilet, leaking oil out of my butt for the past 9 hours."0 -
As of right now I'm doing 8x8 with no more than 30 second rests between sets. High tempo with mostly compound lifting. Squats, leg press, deadlifts, clean and press, pullups, etc. (not all one the same day). My workouts are broken up to training one body part per day.Out of interest, what kind of training do you do fasted? I find I can't go more than aerobic (zone 4) without bonking whilst fasted.
A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0 -
I agree. it doesn't matter at all. if you eat 1000 calories for dinner, or in 6 tiny meals it is the same! I also disagree with the idea that eating infrequently leads to starvation mode and "you wont lose weight". if you DIDNT lose weight when you stop eating enough, people would never starve!
BUT
1) eating frequently means you are unlikely to go on a ravenous binge later - as you are never hungry
2) your blood sugar remains more or less on an even keel. but if you only eat dinner, you are likely to crave a sugar boost and hence exceed calories
3) starvation mode - when you stop the restricted eating your hunger comes back worse, and it is a craving for fats and sugars.
1) maybe for you, not for me
2) maybe for you, not for me
3) starvation mode.- that a new definition of that, but in any event, maybe for you, not for me.
All of the above are very individual.0 -
:huh:
So, if you require 2500 calories a day to maintain your weight, but you only eat 2000 calories a day total, but all in one sitting, you'll gain weight, is that what you're saying?
I'm thinking "not"...:smokin:
Why don't you try and let me know how that works out?
You people believe what you want. Personally I can tell whether my energy is coming from stored glycogen or fat reserves. Glycogen=happy time. Fat reserves = shaky, tired, and miserable.
Lets try a little experiment---eat your normal breakfast then go run a few miles in the morning. Then do it the next day but don't eat breakfast. I can promise you if you skip breakfast youre going to be miserable running because your body has already depleted its glycogen reserves during the night, and the process to break down fat for energy will leave you feeling like crap while running. It's been a long time since I've studied the actual process but it takes longer to break down stored fat for fuel and you can feel that. You know once you've depleted your glycogen reserves.
Does it make a difference eating 6 meals or 3? I dont know. I do know from the extreme example of eating one meal a day the results won't be pleasant.
IF followers do it often. So...what was your point again?
IF followers tend to focus on bodybuilding, which is great. Burning stored fat can also be good for endurance sport below the lactate threshold. If you want to do anaerobic sports though, glycogen is the best way. My anaerobic fitness and well being has skyrocketed since partitioning my carbs, loading high GI around workouts and low gi paleo at other times. You can't be an anaerobic athlete without em!
Bodybuilding is an anaerobic activity. Many bb'ers train fasted.
Yes, you're right, I'm talking about running, cycling etc above the lactate threshold for up to an hour, before glycogen just runs out. I'm fine bb fasted with the 30-60 secs rest, even when my heart pounds, I just don't think you can really breakthrough without glycogen. That's my experience. I've done every bb diet known to man! In Lyle macdonalds ultimate diet he used fasted bb to deplete the muscles of glycogen to burn fat half the week. The anabolic (muscle building stage) came after the carb load. It was amazing albeit alarming experience.0
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