Eating 3 square meals a day or eating every few hours???
Korriinn
Posts: 26 Member
Before, when I was going to the gym regularly with my trainer I ate every couple hours. Breakfast, handful of almonds, lunch...etc. Now that I am doing everything on my own at home I have been eating a good breakfast, lunch, dinner and sometimes I will have a snack depending on my hunger levels. My question is- is one way better than the other? Will my metabolism benefit the most by eating every few hours or does it matter? What works the best for you? Thanks!
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Replies
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Nope, your metabolism doesn't care what time you eat. There is no causality between meal timing, and rate of weight loss. Eat whenever you'd like as long as you stay within your calorie budget, and you'll be good.0
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^Yup, meal timing was shown to be completely irrelevant.
Eat whatever/whenever helps you to stay within your caloric allowance for the day! If you get ravenous by waiting for each meal, plan for snacks! If you get distracted and can wait or prefer larger meals, then do that!0 -
I could understand this idea because protein couldn't be absorbed if you ate more than 30g in one go.
But last I heard that has been disproven.
I think eat as often as you like is the best option. Being to strict seems to be major cause of failure0 -
I think I read a study that said fasting for over 36 hours actually increases metabolic rate. So don't worry about going without eating or eating too frequently, it really doesn't matter0
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Yep, meal timing really makes no difference. I never eat breakfast before noon, for instance. Weight loss right on track. Do what works for you!0
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Basically everything everyone has already said is the same that I've been reading as well. It's amazing how much science has changed our opinion on eating in just the last few years.0
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another vote for no difference. space out your calories however you want0
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I vote it doesn't make a difference. Find what works best for you!
Personally I eat three meals a day with a snack in between.0 -
I prefer 3 larger meals. I normally watch TV. So I make some breakfast and watch some 8 out of 10 cats before going to work.
If I had smaller meals I would have to stop and start an episode too much.
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I used to eat 5 or 6 meals a day. I now eat 3 meals with a snack if I feel like it. Overall, I don't see any difference besides the fact it is easier to pack meals for school or work. Do what works for you.0
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It really doesn't matter. Of course, if you eat a heavy meal just before you go to sleep, it could cause acid reflux.0
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No difference. I think the eating 6x/day idea came originally out of the bodybuilding nutrition world. In that case you're eating a fair bit more and it's easier to break up the meals a bit more. Somehow that started becoming the received wisdom given on diet plans generally, even if it doesn't make sense for those trying to cut.0
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Eating frequency does not have an impact on metabolism. I eat 2 meals a day with no snack and it has been the most positive change I did in my weightloss (besides counting calories of course).0
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The only reason I can think of that snacking might be beneficial is that it keeps you from being so hungry between meals.0
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Breakfast 2pm.
Snack. 5.30pm.
Lunch 7pm.
Snack before dinner 11.30
And dinner 2am.
The joys of working second shift0 -
I vote that it's up to you too. Personally, I'm 3 meals a day with a couple of snacks and lots of tea (white, no sugar) so I can eat normal food with my kids. Plus I can have bigger portions than if spreading through the day.bl0
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No difference. I think the eating 6x/day idea came originally out of the bodybuilding nutrition world. In that case you're eating a fair bit more and it's easier to break up the meals a bit more. Somehow that started becoming the received wisdom given on diet plans generally, even if it doesn't make sense for those trying to cut.
Well, the bodybuilding community and Susan Powter. I remember that being her big thing: eat 6x per day.
The science has proven it doesn't matter, so I eat 3x per day. It's just easier to have 3 meals at breakfast, lunch and dinner. I, personally, don't like trying to organize snacks and stuff. I find it way easier to overeat if snacking is part of my day.
I also enjoy the ritual of cooking/preparing those meals..
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but...must....rev...metabolism....need kickstart...0
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cwolfman13 wrote: »but...must....rev...metabolism....need kickstart...
LOL
After four months of tinkering (and losing, nearly to goal) I figured out what worked best for me. These times vary depending on appetite:
9:30 AM: breakfast
Noon: snack (if needed, often skipped)
1:30: lunch
4:00 snack
7-9: rest of calories. Dinner, snacks, alcohol, etc.
I like to have at least 200 additional calories to play with around dinnertime. I don't like running up against a wall and often don't unless I've eaten out.0 -
Both work equally as well. Choose the method you find works best for you, preferences etc...Before, when I was going to the gym regularly with my trainer I ate every couple hours. Breakfast, handful of almonds, lunch...etc. Now that I am doing everything on my own at home I have been eating a good breakfast, lunch, dinner and sometimes I will have a snack depending on my hunger levels. My question is- is one way better than the other? Will my metabolism benefit the most by eating every few hours or does it matter? What works the best for you? Thanks!
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colors_fade wrote: »No difference. I think the eating 6x/day idea came originally out of the bodybuilding nutrition world. In that case you're eating a fair bit more and it's easier to break up the meals a bit more. Somehow that started becoming the received wisdom given on diet plans generally, even if it doesn't make sense for those trying to cut.
Well, the bodybuilding community and Susan Powter. I remember that being her big thing: eat 6x per day.
The science has proven it doesn't matter, so I eat 3x per day. It's just easier to have 3 meals at breakfast, lunch and dinner. I, personally, don't like trying to organize snacks and stuff. I find it way easier to overeat if snacking is part of my day.
I also enjoy the ritual of cooking/preparing those meals..
Thanks! That makes total sense, my trainer was a body builder so I am sure that is why he felt like frequent eating was the way to go. lol.0 -
judiness101 wrote: »Eating frequency does not have an impact on metabolism. I eat 2 meals a day with no snack and it has been the most positive change I did in my weightloss (besides counting calories of course).
Really? You didn't feel like you where starving yourself..? I'd love to hear what your daily meal plan sounds like
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peachyfuzzle wrote: »Nope, your metabolism doesn't care what time you eat. There is no causality between meal timing, and rate of weight loss. Eat whenever you'd like as long as you stay within your calorie budget, and you'll be good.
Eat when you are hungry, not when the clock or society says to.0 -
It doesn't matter when it comes to weight loss, but I've found it matters in relation to how much energy I have for my workouts. If I allocate what I eat out to where I have some carbs about a half hour before gym time then I have more energy when I workout. If I eat several hours before I tend to burn out faster. But that's me.0
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Personal preference, but you should eat in a way that suits you, so if you like 5 meals and that keeps you from being hungry, then do that. Experiment a bit. I find I like breakfast and can then skip lunch and have a large dinner (notwithstanding fueling any workouts). In this sense meal timings do matter because you are looking to have food at the right time, which may in turn mak it easier for you to stick to your diet.0
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Agree with everyone above, it doesn't matter. I personally enjoy 3 square meals, an afternoon snack, and a small dessert after dinner. That's what I do every week day. Weekends can vary a little, like if I get to sleep in late then maybe I only have 2 meals; or if I know I'm going to eat a lot at a special event then I cut out snacks.0
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judiness101 wrote: »Eating frequency does not have an impact on metabolism. I eat 2 meals a day with no snack and it has been the most positive change I did in my weightloss (besides counting calories of course).
Really? You didn't feel like you where starving yourself..? I'd love to hear what your daily meal plan sounds like
The most positive change was lowering calories enough to lose weight. The meal frequency was just a tool to get you there/ Regardless of what you tell yourself, there is nothing magical about it...0 -
depends on the day for me
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No science here but I go with the grazing model. I "feel" that quality snacking like an apple in the morning and some nuts in the afternoon "trick" my body into staying more in a burn mode rather than a conserve mode. All superstition aside when I am exercising at a high level in the mornings I just go bonkers without a snack.0
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judiness101 wrote: »Eating frequency does not have an impact on metabolism. I eat 2 meals a day with no snack and it has been the most positive change I did in my weightloss (besides counting calories of course).
Really? You didn't feel like you where starving yourself..? I'd love to hear what your daily meal plan sounds like
I'm not who you quoted but I also follow that meal timing format, though I do have one snack a day.
Here's yesterday for me:
Broke my daily fast at 12:30pm-
8 ounces wild caught salmon with 1tbsp olive oil, spices and lemon juice
151 grams asparagus, with vinegar
serving of cottage cheese
10 cherries
2pm-
Nature Valley protein granola bar
6pm-
4 ounces season ground beef
1 serving tortilla chips
2 tbsp salsa
1 ounce diced tomato
10 black olives
1 ounce diced onion
1 cup spinach
hot sauce
1 serving salsa con queso dip
1 serving of yogurt
Then I also had 1/2tsp of sugar in my morning tea and then another 1/2 tsp of sugar in my evening tea
Today:
broke daily fast at noon-
Applebees lunch combo: spinach bacon salad and chicken fajita rollup
2pm-
Nature Valley protein granola bar
6pm-
8 ounces wild caught salmon with 1/2tbsp olive oil, spices and lemon juice
6 cherries
1/2tsp of sugar in my morning tea and then another 1/2 tsp of sugar in my evening tea0
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