Which is better?

ashiramacy
ashiramacy Posts: 3 Member
edited November 2024 in Getting Started
Is it better to eat three larger meals a day only, or to eat smaller snacks throughout the day? I have heard different people say different things about this so I'd love some insight.

Replies

  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    It's personal preference. Whatever keeps you in your calorie goals.
  • abetterluke
    abetterluke Posts: 625 Member
    edited May 2015
    ashiramacy wrote: »
    Is it better to eat three larger meals a day only, or to eat smaller snacks throughout the day? I have heard different people say different things about this so I'd love some insight.

    It's all the same. You're taking in calories and you're burning calories. Timing doesn't matter. Do what works for you. Personally I find it easier to do 3 meals a day because if I snack too much I go overboard.
  • Zx14chick
    Zx14chick Posts: 255 Member
    What they said. Whatever works best for you (makes you feel better, is more sustainable long-term) so long as you burn more calories than you consume. Good luck on your journey!
  • Ready2Rock206
    Ready2Rock206 Posts: 9,487 Member
    What's best is what works for you.
  • SueInAz
    SueInAz Posts: 6,592 Member
    Timing or time of day makes no difference in weight loss. If you're happier eating smaller meals throughout the day then do that. If you'd rather not eat at all during the day and then have a really big dinner and a late night snack, do that.

    I think some of the confusion around meal size and timing is due to suggestions made for people who aren't calorie counting. Skipping breakfast makes some people more hungry so they overeat at lunch time. People who eat a snack after dinner have usually already eaten to their maintenance calories during the day so nighttime snacking pushes them into excess calories. If you're counting calories these things shouldn't be happening so they're non-issues.
  • abetterluke
    abetterluke Posts: 625 Member
    SueInAz wrote: »
    I think some of the confusion around meal size and timing is due to suggestions made for people who aren't calorie counting.

    There was also some pretty rampant misinformation going around for several years that said eating 6 little meals was better for your metabolism.

  • ashiramacy
    ashiramacy Posts: 3 Member
    Thanks all, I appreciate the input!
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