How bad is it to eat most of your cals in one meal?

megz4987
megz4987 Posts: 1,008 Member
edited September 30 in Health and Weight Loss
Ok so I'm insanly stressed right now and I just don't think to eat when I'm stressed. The day just flies by and before I know it, it's dinner and I've barely had anything. At most, I've been eating 2 meals a day. However, one meal might be two peices of whole wheat toast with peanut butter and the other may be say, grilled chicken and a ton of veggies or a huge salad (calories coming from dressing, mainly). I haven't been under 1100cals since Friday so I mean, I find that to be a good thing at least.
I know it's not HEALTHY to be eating the bulk of my calories in one meal but at least I'm getting them, right? Can my body still go into starvation mode even though, at the end of the day, I'm still getting the calories?
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Replies

  • Tuffjourney
    Tuffjourney Posts: 971
    Great question....I too, would love to know! Love your pix
  • christine24t
    christine24t Posts: 6,063 Member
    yeah i wonder the answer to this too. sometimes, especially during the school year, i'm not able to eat lunch!
  • CorrieV1976
    CorrieV1976 Posts: 320 Member
    awesome question...cause when i'm stressed i dont eat either....really would like to know....
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,964 Member
    If you're going to eat the bulk of your calories in one meal, "stress" out at breakfast.
  • CountryDevil
    CountryDevil Posts: 819 Member
    I don't know if it will go into starvation mode, but holding off until the end of the day may also have the opposite effect. Pending on WHEN you are eating you body may not have enough time to process everything before you begin to wind down for the day. This will cause the body to store those calories and storing them as fat. The only caveat that I can see is that if you are working out at the end of the day after that meal. That may help reduce the possibility of that happening..

    It is a good question though..

    (Love the profile pic)
  • missfittin_missy
    missfittin_missy Posts: 184 Member
    I've always been told that you should spread out your eating during the day... keeps your metabolism going. I do however agree with eating the bulk of your calories at breakfast... I tend to spread mine out with things like almonds in the afternoon where I can eat a handful and go on even if Im not hungry.
  • emadigan
    emadigan Posts: 89 Member
    Because you are going so long in between meals, your body is more likely to hold onto fat and calories to last you until your next meal. Think about it: you eat dinner, and your body has to make that energy last until your next dinner. Especially since you are in a pattern, your body knows you have to last a while on that limited energy.

    Even if you aren't hungry, it might be better to start with at least snacks.
  • girlinahat
    girlinahat Posts: 2,956 Member
    a lot of people do intermittent fasting which I suppose would mean cramming their calories into a couple of meals.

    BUT. Sumo wrestlers skip breakfast and eat most of their food in one go to bulk up. You need to be careful you are not super-hungry when you DO eat, else you could find eating too much.

    On the converse side, if you are like me and find all-you-can-eat buffets a waste of time, you may be unable to eat your calorific needs.
  • ChantalGG
    ChantalGG Posts: 2,404 Member
    I read somewhere long time ago if you where to do that at breakfast you will lose weight at lunch you might maintain and at night you will gain. depending on how many calories you eat of course. but your body needs to burn some of that off during the day so it is best to do it early.
  • 27strange
    27strange Posts: 837 Member
    Food is fuel for your body. Eating consistently to fuel your body throughout the day is just naturally best.

    If you are going to have one huge meal, then the best time to do that would be breakfast to fuel you for the day.

    It sounds like you are eating pretty decently and healthy its just all at once during the day. Try snacking on healthy stuff (even if not hungry) during the day. This will help keep your energy up and your metabolism going. Stay fueled!
  • MonolithTMA
    MonolithTMA Posts: 62 Member
    Reminds me of the warrior diet. See this thread; http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/110167-the-warrior-diet
  • KateHubb
    KateHubb Posts: 366 Member
    BUMP - I would love to know too because I wouldn't mind skipping breakfast, eating a high calorie lunch, skipping dinner, then working out... it would be worth it to have that one "bad" meal every once in awhile... but the more I type the less healthy it sounds... *sigh*
  • liftingbro
    liftingbro Posts: 2,029 Member
    Intermittent fasting works fine.

    What's important is total daily intake, timing of it does not matter. Calories in VS Calories out.

    See Lean Gains for info:
    http://www.leangains.com/2010/04/leangains-guide.html
  • Success41
    Success41 Posts: 44
    By eating all your calories in one sitting, you body goes into "protect mode/starvation mode" It holds on to the calories as storage because it basically can't count on you to fuel it every 3-4 hours. Basically instead of using "old stored fat" as energy, it uses the quick calories that you feed it in one sitting..which in turn you will either experience muscle loss or possible weight gain.
  • KateHubb
    KateHubb Posts: 366 Member
    By eating all your calories in one sitting, you body goes into "protect mode/starvation mode" It holds on to the calories as storage because it basically can't count on you to fuel it every 3-4 hours. Basically instead of using "old stored fat" as energy, it uses the quick calories that you feed it in one sitting..which in turn you will either experience muscle loss or possible weight gain.

    Well thanks for totally ruining it... just kidding :tongue:
  • VelcroPooh
    VelcroPooh Posts: 152
    A nutritionist told me that eating all your days supply at one meal was horrible for the metabolism in your body. Even worse if you do it in the evening.

    His best advice:

    Eat like a King at breakfast
    Eat like a Queen at lunch
    Eat like a Pauper at dinner
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    I agree with girlinahat - the biggest risk is that you may not feel hungry because you're busy but once you relax and can eat, there is a huge risk of overeating as your body will want to catch up. In fact, this pattern of starving then binging was one of the reasons for my former obesity...I'd skip breakfast and be busy all morning then all of a sudden lunchtime came and it was like I couldn't eat enough!

    That doesn't seem to be a problem for the OP since she's still making great choices so I guess it's ok as long as she's staying up long enough to properly digest her food and isn't going over calories. I personally couldn't live like that- once my blood sugar is low, I get tired and CRABBY and am no good to anyone! Maybe try to pack some good portable snacks to have every couple hours like veggie sticks with hummus or PB, fruit, nuts, even a snack bar.
  • liftingbro
    liftingbro Posts: 2,029 Member
    By eating all your calories in one sitting, you body goes into "protect mode/starvation mode" It holds on to the calories as storage because it basically can't count on you to fuel it every 3-4 hours. Basically instead of using "old stored fat" as energy, it uses the quick calories that you feed it in one sitting..which in turn you will either experience muscle loss or possible weight gain.

    No it does not.
  • liftingbro
    liftingbro Posts: 2,029 Member
    A nutritionist told me that eating all your days supply at one meal was horrible for the metabolism in your body. Even worse if you do it in the evening.

    His best advice:

    Eat like a King at breakfast
    Eat like a Queen at lunch
    Eat like a Pauper at dinner

    That nutritionist is holding ont to old broscience.
  • Success41
    Success41 Posts: 44
    ummm okay!
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,316 Member
    It won't make any difference and might be beneficial. A bunch of people eat that way daily and lose lots of weight. Check out leangains.com for more info on that. Basically all the research out there shows meal timing makes no difference at all to metabolism. As for eating later in the day rather than earlier, it makes no real difference either. Unlike the thought that your body shuts down when you sleep, it does not. It keeps processing calories through the night as well. Basically if you are still losing and are eating healthy foods don't worry about this.
  • MrsCon40
    MrsCon40 Posts: 2,351 Member
    By eating all your calories in one sitting, you body goes into "protect mode/starvation mode" It holds on to the calories as storage because it basically can't count on you to fuel it every 3-4 hours. Basically instead of using "old stored fat" as energy, it uses the quick calories that you feed it in one sitting..which in turn you will either experience muscle loss or possible weight gain.

    This actually isn't true. You need a number of days of eating well below your calories to affect your metabolism.
  • MrsCon40
    MrsCon40 Posts: 2,351 Member
    A nutritionist told me that eating all your days supply at one meal was horrible for the metabolism in your body. Even worse if you do it in the evening.

    His best advice:

    Eat like a King at breakfast
    Eat like a Queen at lunch
    Eat like a Pauper at dinner

    That nutritionist is holding ont to old broscience.

    A "nutritionist" also does not require certification so their qualifications may be debatable.
  • joejccva71
    joejccva71 Posts: 2,985 Member
    A nutritionist told me that eating all your days supply at one meal was horrible for the metabolism in your body. Even worse if you do it in the evening.

    His best advice:

    Eat like a King at breakfast
    Eat like a Queen at lunch
    Eat like a Pauper at dinner

    Your nutrionist is incredibly misinformed.
  • liftingbro
    liftingbro Posts: 2,029 Member
    A nutritionist told me that eating all your days supply at one meal was horrible for the metabolism in your body. Even worse if you do it in the evening.

    His best advice:

    Eat like a King at breakfast
    Eat like a Queen at lunch
    Eat like a Pauper at dinner

    A "nutritionist" also does not require certification so their qualifications may be debatable.
    That nutritionist is holding ont to old broscience.

    I agree. Most nutritionist simply don't keep on current research and science in there field. There are still nutritionists out there pushing low fat diets for God's sake.
  • 27strange
    27strange Posts: 837 Member
    Different strokes for different folks. As long as you are getting in the daily recommended minimum calories then do what you feel works for you. I used to never eat breakfast. Now that I am working out 6 days a week and counting calories I now HAVE TO have breakfast and I can tell that its giving me more energy and aiding in my weight loss. But again, everyone is different and there are competing ideas as with anything when it comes to when and how to eat your daily calories.
  • dianerenem
    dianerenem Posts: 14
    every BODY is different and you will eventually learn what works best for yours.

    I lose weight best when my largest meal is in the middle of the day and I eat nothing after 5pm. I hate breakfast, but I know that I have to have something to rev the metabolism up in the AM, so I grab some almonds or one of my Emerald breakfast to go pouches.

    I tried cutting out soda once and it actually made losing the weight more difficult than when I allow myself a couple a day. other people drop the weight with the can of coke.

    my friend finds that eating a big breakfast and snacking til her small dinner works best for her, and yet another woman we know swears by 6 small meals a day.

    pay attention to what you are eating and how your body reacts to it. it will tell you if you are on the right path or not.
  • TheBraveryLover
    TheBraveryLover Posts: 1,217 Member
    It would be nice if the kind gentlemen who are informing others of incorrect advice would share with us some of their knowledge on the OP's question. I'm genuinely curious, just like her.:flowerforyou:
  • VelcroPooh
    VelcroPooh Posts: 152
    Looks like it truly is a "to each his own" and what works for each individual.
  • cobaltis
    cobaltis Posts: 191 Member
    Intermittent fasting works fine.

    What's important is total daily intake, timing of it does not matter. Calories in VS Calories out.

    See Lean Gains for info:
    http://www.leangains.com/2010/04/leangains-guide.html

    Agreed with this!

    This is also agreed upon by a nutritionist named Alan Aragon who has a PHD and clientel includes many of the professional sports teams in LA... Look up his blog if you want to know more about him. He puts out a monthly newsletter on analyzing all of the newest research data. He is also not sponsored by any company to prevent any baises.
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