Distribution of Calories?

AskTracyAnnK28
AskTracyAnnK28 Posts: 2,817 Member
in Getting Started
I'm on a 1200 calorie a day plan, and was wondering if how you distribute your calories throughout the day matters? Because I work full time, my lunch is usually a frozen Amy's Light and Lean whatever and a veggie or fruit. But I do like to prepare a nice healthy dinner for myself when I get home at night. Usually my lunches are on the 400 calorie range, and my dinner is around 600. I don't eat breakfast but try and have a cup of grapefruit juice before I leave the house in the morning.

I'm losing weight and whatnot, but was wondering if I could lose more if I distributed the calroes better or if at the end of the day it really makes a difference?

Replies

  • Veil5577
    Veil5577 Posts: 868 Member
    It doesn't really matter when or how during the day you take in your calories. As long as you remain at a calorie deficit, you'll continue to lose weight. I eat only one meal a day so all my calories are in the evening meal.
  • AskTracyAnnK28
    AskTracyAnnK28 Posts: 2,817 Member
    Thank you! That's what I wanted to hear :) Glad I can have my crabcakes for dinner and not feel guilty about it :)
  • jkwolly
    jkwolly Posts: 3,049 Member
    Doesn't matter. Eat what you want, when you want - just make it fit.


    And as for losing more weight? Nope.


    But considering upping your calories and stay at a sustainable daily target.
  • xcalygrl
    xcalygrl Posts: 1,897 Member
    Timing doesn't matter. Maintaining a calorie deficit does. Eat all 1200 in one go, or over 6 meals, whatever works for you.

    FWIW, I eat 2k a day with 500 at each meal and 2-300 at each of my 2 snacks.
  • JeanieBean1074
    JeanieBean1074 Posts: 29
    I'M SOOO glad you asked this! I was wondering the same thing!! Thanks :)
  • WandaMM1
    WandaMM1 Posts: 132 Member
    There is a school of thought that you can increase your metabolism my eating food in a more equal distribution throughout the day. Rather than only eating 2-3 larger meals, that you should eat 5-6 times a day with each meal being smaller. One of the goals would be to eat something every 3 hours or so. I don't know how much difference this really makes to weight loss but it is a proven and supported "healthy" method.

    Me personally, I do eat every 3 hours or so but it has to do with me being too hungry if I go longer. Planning to have a mid morning meal (2nd breakfast for you Tolkien fans) helps minimize or eliminate snacking for me. This mid morning meal isn't big, today it was a hard boiled egg and blueberries (120 calories). =)
  • jkwolly
    jkwolly Posts: 3,049 Member
    There is a school of thought that you can increase your metabolism my eating food in a more equal distribution throughout the day. Rather than only eating 2-3 larger meals, that you should eat 5-6 times a day with each meal being smaller. One of the goals would be to eat something every 3 hours or so. I don't know how much difference this really makes to weight loss but it is a proven and supported "healthy" method.
    Noooooooope.
  • AskTracyAnnK28
    AskTracyAnnK28 Posts: 2,817 Member
    There is a school of thought that you can increase your metabolism my eating food in a more equal distribution throughout the day. Rather than only eating 2-3 larger meals, that you should eat 5-6 times a day with each meal being smaller. One of the goals would be to eat something every 3 hours or so. I don't know how much difference this really makes to weight loss but it is a proven and supported "healthy" method.

    Me personally, I do eat every 3 hours or so but it has to do with me being too hungry if I go longer. Planning to have a mid morning meal (2nd breakfast for you Tolkien fans) helps minimize or eliminate snacking for me. This mid morning meal isn't big, today it was a hard boiled egg and blueberries (120 calories). =)

    I started wearing Invisalign braces a few months ago and they have to stay on for 22 hours a day, so snacking is completely out of the question unless I want to get up from my cubicle 3 times a day to brush, floss and rinse my teeth before putting my braces back in :sad:
  • Springfield1970
    Springfield1970 Posts: 1,945 Member
    There is a school of thought that you can increase your metabolism my eating food in a more equal distribution throughout the day. Rather than only eating 2-3 larger meals, that you should eat 5-6 times a day with each meal being smaller. One of the goals would be to eat something every 3 hours or so. I don't know how much difference this really makes to weight loss but it is a proven and supported "healthy" method.

    Me personally, I do eat every 3 hours or so but it has to do with me being too hungry if I go longer. Planning to have a mid morning meal (2nd breakfast for you Tolkien fans) helps minimize or eliminate snacking for me. This mid morning meal isn't big, today it was a hard boiled egg and blueberries (120 calories). =)

    I started wearing Invisalign braces a few months ago and they have to stay on for 22 hours a day, so snacking is completely out of the question unless I want to get up from my cubicle 3 times a day to brush, floss and rinse my teeth before putting my braces back in :sad:

    I would count that as a blessing in disguise! My recent wisdom tooth extraction has eliminated my snacking for the same reasons!
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    There is a school of thought that you can increase your metabolism my eating food in a more equal distribution throughout the day. Rather than only eating 2-3 larger meals, that you should eat 5-6 times a day with each meal being smaller. One of the goals would be to eat something every 3 hours or so. I don't know how much difference this really makes to weight loss but it is a proven and supported "healthy" method.

    Me personally, I do eat every 3 hours or so but it has to do with me being too hungry if I go longer. Planning to have a mid morning meal (2nd breakfast for you Tolkien fans) helps minimize or eliminate snacking for me. This mid morning meal isn't big, today it was a hard boiled egg and blueberries (120 calories). =)

    I started wearing Invisalign braces a few months ago and they have to stay on for 22 hours a day, so snacking is completely out of the question unless I want to get up from my cubicle 3 times a day to brush, floss and rinse my teeth before putting my braces back in :sad:

    Good luck with the invisalign.
    Two meals a day is fine.

Categories