Anyone else eat one meal a day?

noobletmcnugget
noobletmcnugget Posts: 518 Member
edited November 21 in Health and Weight Loss
I find I'm happiest when I eat all of my calories at dinner. I find that if I eat earlier in the day I end up feeling much hungrier than I would be otherwise and just obsess about food too much. Plus I like being able to eat a larger volume in one go in the evening.

Just wondering whether anyone else did this? :)
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Replies

  • ThisIsRae
    ThisIsRae Posts: 13 Member
    I'm pretty close to the same. Even though I've been told repeatedly that spacing out your calorie intake more evenly throughout the day will keep you from overeating at night/in the evening, I find that I'm happier if I have more calories to eat in the evening and can have one big meal rather than 3-4 little ones during the day. I like to feel actually full at least once after one big meal rather than just "not starving" after small meals all day :)
  • qtchick1
    qtchick1 Posts: 19 Member
    Same here, I lost all my weight with intermittent fasting or eating one meal a day. It's fulfilling and I don't feel guilty and feel les hungry.
  • accidentalpancake
    accidentalpancake Posts: 484 Member
    Not one meal, but a very small window of eating. Usually 5-9 or so.
  • withoutasaddle
    withoutasaddle Posts: 191 Member
    Do the same. I can pretty much eat however much of whatever I want if I save my caories for dinner. Feels a lot less like a 'diet' then.
  • Katzedernacht
    Katzedernacht Posts: 266 Member
    Really? wow never heard of this one, I do try to eat way more the first two times in the day,so my dinner can be lighter and i can sleep well.
  • barbecuesauce
    barbecuesauce Posts: 1,771 Member
    Nope, I've done short eating windows, but I would be uncomfortable eating all of my calories at once. And I don't think I would eat as healthily. (Dinner usually clocks in around 400-700 now, with vegetables.) If it works for you, great!
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    I'm not sure I could power through 3,000 calories in one meal without feeling pretty ill.
  • DuckReconMajor
    DuckReconMajor Posts: 434 Member
    edited July 2015
    I'm the opposite. A lot of my days are a small breakfast, bigger lunch, and no dinner.

    Anyone else give up on "meals" in mfp logging and just make one called "Food"?
  • mathom31
    mathom31 Posts: 2 Member
    My most successful weight loss came when I ate dinner only. It is just simpler.
  • Zedeff
    Zedeff Posts: 651 Member
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    I'm not sure I could power through 3,000 calories in one meal without feeling pretty ill.

    I believe in you wolfman. You can do it!
  • Zedeff
    Zedeff Posts: 651 Member
    I'm also (generally) a one-meal-a-day-er. Way easier to sustain.
  • kiela64
    kiela64 Posts: 1,447 Member
    I find the intermittent fasting & fewer daily meals thing fascinating. I know I couldn't do it because if I go maybe 3h without eating something I start feeling sick and dizzy. Do none of you feel ill in the morning 2h after waking up? If I don't eat at least a small breakfast within 2h I get a massive headache. If you can do this, more power to you, I'm just super curious!
  • strong_curves
    strong_curves Posts: 2,229 Member
    No. I do a lot during the day and I need all the energy I can get.
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    I tried intermittent fasting and so long as I don't tell myself I'm doing that, I find most days my body does it anyway. Whatever works for you, as it still comes down to CICO.
  • rosnigetsfit
    rosnigetsfit Posts: 569 Member
    I've never tried. Oh wait.. A lunch buffet perhaps? Ha!
  • eatgoodeat
    eatgoodeat Posts: 180 Member
    Zedeff wrote: »
    I'm also (generally) a one-meal-a-day-er. Way easier to sustain.
    +1

  • rachelbouc
    rachelbouc Posts: 65 Member
    I've never tried this and probably can't. I've had too many instances where my blood sugar (I'm not diabetic) dropped too low and I nearly faint. Or I get hangery and want to rip out someone's throat. Kudos to those that can though.
  • SarcasmIsMyLoveLanguage
    SarcasmIsMyLoveLanguage Posts: 2,668 Member
    I don't know if I could do it. I need to eat often or I get hangry. It falls into the "whatever works for you" category
  • lauraesh0384
    lauraesh0384 Posts: 463 Member
    I'm pretty sure I would be close to chewing my arm off if I only ate once a day. Not to mention, I think I'd feel sick to my stomach if eating 1400 calories in one meal. I did that once with Chipotle (intentionally so I didn't go over my calories) and I felt like my stomach was going to explode, and that was the only food I had all day.
  • andrcollrvt
    andrcollrvt Posts: 24 Member
    I used to eat once a day. It took some time but I finally changed that and eat 2-3 times a day. I found it easier to lose weight eating multiple times a day, as your metabolism works harder when you do.
  • Zedeff
    Zedeff Posts: 651 Member
    kae612 wrote: »
    I find the intermittent fasting & fewer daily meals thing fascinating. I know I couldn't do it because if I go maybe 3h without eating something I start feeling sick and dizzy. Do none of you feel ill in the morning 2h after waking up? If I don't eat at least a small breakfast within 2h I get a massive headache. If you can do this, more power to you, I'm just super curious!

    Never really feel hungry. In fact, I only start feeling hungry if I eat. For example if it's a weekend and my wife wants to make a big breakfast or go out for lunch or something, I usually will eat because it's more about quality time together than a utilitarian meal. Once I've eaten for the day, I get hungrier throughout the rest of the day.
  • defatify
    defatify Posts: 41 Member
    I prefer to eat later in the day. There's a lot of hype about breakfast and all, but my body just does not want food at 8am. And if I'm busy/focused, I don't really feel hungry until late. To each his own, I guess.
  • jensquish1
    jensquish1 Posts: 499 Member
    I would waste away if I had to go to the gym work out and take care of a 2 year old all day with no food until dinner
  • Jmgkamp
    Jmgkamp Posts: 278 Member
    I eat my calories in the evening. It's so strange, but for me - like many of you - once I eat, I get hungrier and hungrier. But if I don't eat at all I'm not hungry. Weird.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    I find I'm happiest when I eat all of my calories at dinner. I find that if I eat earlier in the day I end up feeling much hungrier than I would be otherwise and just obsess about food too much. Plus I like being able to eat a larger volume in one go in the evening.

    Just wondering whether anyone else did this? :)

    I admire people who can eat all their calories in one meal a day. I had a friend who managed her weight by eating her day's calories at dinner, and she just loved it. My brother, who has never had to consciously monitor his weight, eats something like two meals a day and an occasional snack here and there.

    I spread my calories over several small meals throughout the day.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    Do the same. I can pretty much eat however much of whatever I want if I save my caories for dinner. Feels a lot less like a 'diet' then.

    But, if you are losing weight, you are still eating a calorie deficit, even if it feels like you are eating however much you want to. :)
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    Zedeff wrote: »
    kae612 wrote: »
    I find the intermittent fasting & fewer daily meals thing fascinating. I know I couldn't do it because if I go maybe 3h without eating something I start feeling sick and dizzy. Do none of you feel ill in the morning 2h after waking up? If I don't eat at least a small breakfast within 2h I get a massive headache. If you can do this, more power to you, I'm just super curious!

    Never really feel hungry. In fact, I only start feeling hungry if I eat. For example if it's a weekend and my wife wants to make a big breakfast or go out for lunch or something, I usually will eat because it's more about quality time together than a utilitarian meal. Once I've eaten for the day, I get hungrier throughout the rest of the day.
    Now, that's sweet. :)
  • hh121
    hh121 Posts: 6 Member
    I swear by this. One big meal a day at about 6pm and two or three pieces of fruit at 10pm. I like to feel full after I eat, I guess, and this way I get to be full without exceeded my daily calorie target - heck, it doesn't even feel like I'm dieting most of the time. I often joke about how if somebody saw my average 'dinner' they'd probably guess I'd put on a kilo month!

    Back when I was actually hitting the gym last summer I'd go 2/3 times a week in the afternoon with no problems, despite having not eaten for at least 15 hours. I'd either cycle 20km or lift some weights and cycle 10km afterwards.

    I think eating 3 meals a day is just something we have all gotten used to, meaning most people get hungry if they don't eat every 4-5 hours. Eating one meal a day was hard at first but after about a week it just became normal. The human body is remarkably adaptable - getting used to eating once a day is no sweat for it.
  • gwynita
    gwynita Posts: 1 Member
    I usually only eat once a day, Glad to know I'm not alone
  • lorenswan
    lorenswan Posts: 30 Member
    Actually it depends on the person. Some
    cultures practice one meal a day. Some
    professional athletes swear by it. Some think skipping breakfast comes naturally when its actually the one reason they remain overweight. It depends on the individual. If you feel this is right for you then go for it. (If you need caffeine to keep going or are described oftentimes as having an "irritable" or even "aggressive" personality then you may want to rethink this approach. Both point to low glucose levels due to bulk eating).

    But if you truly are confident in this approach then I shall remind you that what one eats at this singular meal becomes evermore relevant. Your body can only digest what it needs of various
    vitamins and minerals. It chucks the rest. But with fats and carbs it'll hold on to every last bit whether you need it or not "for safe keeping in times of crises" so you need to focus on nutrient dense foods that consist of low calories for this one meal. It is no longer about filling up, but getting it right. The right balance of macros is everything for you. Keeping this meal consistent, whatever you decide, and your body will thank you. Good luck and shake it up!
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