Is it bad to just eat one large meal a day?

ObsessedMonster
ObsessedMonster Posts: 150 Member
edited November 10 in Goal: Maintaining Weight
I eat 90 % of my calories in the morning during breakfast. Then I just have a small snack like carrots and a cucumber before bed. Will this still cause weight gain in the long term if I don't go above my daily calorie limit by the end of the day?
«1

Replies

  • Hope2BFit81
    Hope2BFit81 Posts: 77 Member
    Nope! As long as calories in < calories out. There's a whole support group for One-Meal-A-Dayers. I do it as well, just opposite. I have my one large meal at dinner time. It's easier to stay within your deficit range by consuming 90% of your calories in one sitting.
  • LivingtheLeanDream
    LivingtheLeanDream Posts: 13,342 Member
    you can eat whenever you like as long as its CICO - do what fits into your life easiest and makes you happy :)
  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    Eating times are preference. You will be fine.
  • Canwehugnow
    Canwehugnow Posts: 218 Member
    RunRutheeRun wrote: »
    you can eat whenever you like as long as its CICO - do what fits into your life easiest and makes you happy :)

    what's CICO? is it like iifym?

  • LivingtheLeanDream
    LivingtheLeanDream Posts: 13,342 Member
    Canwehugnow wrote: »
    RunRutheeRun wrote: »
    you can eat whenever you like as long as its CICO - do what fits into your life easiest and makes you happy :)

    what's CICO? is it like iifym?
    Calories In, Calories Out, sorry I just abbreviated it :wink:
  • melimomTARDIS
    melimomTARDIS Posts: 1,941 Member
    Im currently playing around with meal timing. Honestly it doesn't matter as long as you can stay within your calories.
  • arabianhorselover
    arabianhorselover Posts: 1,488 Member
    I could never eat that much at one time. Or I'd be sick if I did.
  • jamesha100
    jamesha100 Posts: 214 Member
    There are some studies which say consuming all your calories in a small window is a good thing - search for Fast 5
  • KHaverstick
    KHaverstick Posts: 308 Member
    It wouldn't work for me--I like to eat often throughout the day because, well, I like to eat, AND, I tend to get shaky and lose focus if I haven't eaten in a while. But if it works for you, no harm. :)
  • ithrowconfetti
    ithrowconfetti Posts: 451 Member
    I've lost 68 pounds by practising intermittent fasting, and eating a large meal each day. Like the others have said. Weight loss is about CICO.
  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
    If it is what works for you, go for it! Meal timing has no bearing on weight loss.

    Personally, I couldn't do it. This is partially because I feel better eating some scattered throughout the day, but I also have a hiatal hernia and can't eat a big meal without a lot of pain.
  • joan23_us
    joan23_us Posts: 263 Member
    if you can function the whole day without food so be it, as others already pointed out DON'T GO OVER YOUR CALORIE allowance you should be fine.
  • VeryKatie
    VeryKatie Posts: 5,961 Member
    edited January 2015
    And also don't go too far UNDER your allowance. Make sure you're still hitting your goal within say 50 calories.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    This content has been removed.
  • slucki01
    slucki01 Posts: 284 Member
    It's total calories in vs calories out that matters for weight loss so, in theory, it shouldn't be a problem. However, eating them all at one time wouldn't work for me. I don't think I'd be satiated and it would make it really difficult to have a normal life and socialize with others. How do you handle going out with friends?
  • Ja_ja_jakeya
    Ja_ja_jakeya Posts: 88 Member
    I couldn't imagine eating 1683 calories all in one sitting. My goodness i just know I'd be sick but if it works for you keep it up. Chewing for me is like smoking for some I'd crave the sensation throughout the day.
  • ErisDyscordia
    ErisDyscordia Posts: 50 Member
    I can't do it because my blood sugar would cycle too much, (Hypoglycemia) - but there is nothing wrong with it! Won't hurt weight-loss at all!
  • MissHolidayGolightly
    MissHolidayGolightly Posts: 857 Member
    I think I would feel sick but I'm going to ahead and assume you're not eating very much overall.
  • belgerian
    belgerian Posts: 1,059 Member
    myself i usually eat very little throughout the day, I like to snack at home in the evenings. If it is working for you that is what matters.
  • casw0005
    casw0005 Posts: 5 Member
    If I eat a large breakfast I can go all day without eating and just have a light supper around 6pm. But I have to eat around 11am otherwise I get hungry in the late afternoon.
  • jwedebro
    jwedebro Posts: 17
    I do this sometimes on weekends only and usually eat it around 1 or 2 after going to the gym, when I can eat enough that I won't be hungry for anything more than a snack before bed. On work days I wouldn't last that way. Personally I aim for 100-300 for breakfast, 200-500 for lunch, and whatever's left for dinner. I think it's all down to personal preference though.
  • Showcase_Brodown
    Showcase_Brodown Posts: 919 Member
    Whatever works for you. There's nothing wrong with one meal, just hit your calorie and macro goals.
  • lchadwick3
    lchadwick3 Posts: 66 Member
    You may want to monitor any "crashes" you have during the day. Also, evenly spaced meals help control sugar levels.
  • bigd66218
    bigd66218 Posts: 376 Member
    My large meal of the day is breakfast, I agree if it works for you go for it!!!
  • changefulal
    changefulal Posts: 19 Member
    I at one time had my daily calories all in my breakfast but the problem was is that I had to practically starve myself for the rest of the day lmao, thank god I was able to do some cardio!! My body is used to eating 3 meals a day i guess :)
  • Yogi_warrior
    Yogi_warrior Posts: 5,464 Member
    I eat one meal a day, it works great for me. And on a side note, I can eat 200-300 calories more in one meal than spreading over multiple meals. Try for few months and see how it works. I don't really pay attention to CICO,IIYFM etc.. and all the mambo jumbo, every one is different. Do it for few weeks and make sure you eat enough in one big meal and not under eat.
  • HAS415
    HAS415 Posts: 48 Member
    I lost a TON of weight doing it that way, but in the process developed an eating disorder. I lost 135 lbs since April 2013 but my trainer says I went to far. Then again, initially that meal was just a MAYBE 300 calorie salad for a month or two before my trainer got involved. Now my dinner is a more "normal" dinner and some snacks after. I'm gradually trying to get over my fear of daytime eating and my "burn to earn" mentality that if I don't burn 3,000 calories before dinner, I can't eat. So whatever you decide to do, DON'T do what I did. It's really dangerous.
  • HAS415
    HAS415 Posts: 48 Member
    Incidentally, I have to give props to my trainer for saving my life. I would have kept on with just the salad and honestly, if it weren't for him now, could relapse into it on any given day. I think the main thing is to just treat your body like a car. Just put good fuel into it at all times to keep it running. Also, some people abide by the 80/20 rule. Be good 80% of the time, 20% of the time you can cut yourself some slack.
  • noexcusesjustresults2014
    noexcusesjustresults2014 Posts: 212 Member
    Nothing wrong with this at all. There are many people on MFP who practice IF successfully
  • myfatass78
    myfatass78 Posts: 411 Member
    It matters when you think about protein. I haven't looked at your diary so making a general statement. If you are eating all your protein in one meal, your body cannot absorb it all at once. The body can handle about 50grams of protein at a time.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories