mini meals or 3 square meals??

I personally feel that it doesn't matter - 1200 calories is 1200 calories.
Therefore, I usually go with what works best for me (4 medium meals usually!)
However, I have often heard that it is "healthier" to eat 5-6 smaller meals per day...

Someone just posted this: http://health.yahoo.net/articles/weight-loss/photos/8-calorie-burning-myths-debunked

See myth no. 6

I was eating 3 meals a day with little snacking since January. But then a month or two ago I started getting a quesy stomach every 2 - 3 hours. My body is telling me to eat the 5 - 6 small meals through the day. I am working on getting this right since for lunch I tend to still eat a "meal" that I shouldn't. No matter the size of the lunch I am hungry two hours later :grumble:

Unless I am crazy busy, I like to have more frequent smaller meals. I like to graze

Some days I eat 3 larger meals, somedays I eat 4-6 smaller meals and/or snacks. It just depends on the day and how I feel. In general though, I prefer or try to eat 4-6 smaller meals rather than 3 larger ones, but sometimes it just doesn't work out!

I mini meal, it's just my preference.

I eat 6x a day. It works for me because I don't like feeling hungry with the big gaps of time with only 3 meals a day.

I usually eat 3 meals a day and have a protein and a fruit or veggie as a snack 2 times a day. It helps me not eat after 7:00 at night.

I personally feel that it doesn't matter - 1200 calories is 1200 calories.
Therefore, I usually go with what works best for me (4 medium meals usually!)
However, I have often heard that it is "healthier" to eat 5-6 smaller meals per day...

I would have to disagree that 1200 calories is 1200 calories. All calories is NOT created equal. How your body metabolizes and breaks down all those calories is very important. too.

However, I do agree with eating schedule that works for each person. My trainer and dietitian have guided me to 6 meals a day to keep my metabolism fired up.

It doesn't matter which way you do it. Science has proven it doesn't have much effect on your metabolism - but for some people its better to space meals out especially those with insulin resistance. So it just depends on what works for you.

If you like to eat often and hate feeling hungry but not mind not feeling full up - have lots of smaller meals.

If you don't like eating often or your too busy and you don't mind going hungry for a short time and like bigger meals - have bigger meals less often.

Its what works for you that counts. Don't struggle to do what other people do just because they say its better. It might be better for them - but you need to work out whats best for you.

i like a good bfast and a good lunch. dinner i can do with our without, depending on the day. and i'm definitely a snacker so i don't get cranky when my blood sugar dives. do what works for you!!!

Different people have different needs. For ME.. my need is to eat about every 3 hours. So I have 4-5 smaller meals throughout the day.

When I don't have small well balanced snacks between meals, I get hungry, shaky and irritable. Because for ME, it causes my blood sugar to dip. Then I'm fighting off carb cravings and I'm also hungrier so am more likely to over eat.

When I eat every 3 hours or so... my blood sugar stays stable, I don't have carb cravings, and I'm eating right about the time I'm just STARTING to get hungry, so it takes less to satisfy me.

A typical day for me:

9am, breakfast: 2 to 3 units of protein, 1 unit of carb
12pm, lunch: 4 units of protein, 1 unit of carb, 2 units of healthy fat
3pm, snack: 2 units of protein, 1 unit of carb
6pm, dinner: 5 units of protein, 1 unit of carb, 2 units of healthy fat
Evening snack (time varies): this is usually a "treat" that fits into my calorie plan for the day, but I still try to keep it balanced.

Note: 1 unit of protein = 1 oz of meat, fish, or poultry, 1/2 oz of nuts, 1 tablespoon of nut butter, 1 egg, 2oz greek yogurt
1 carb = 1 piece of fruit, 1 piece of swg bread, 1/2 swg bagel, 1 cup of vegetables, 1 cup of berries, 1 cup whole fat milk, 2oz regular yogurt
1 healthy fat = 1 oz of cheese from grass fed beef, 1 tsp butter from grass fed beef, 1tsp olive oil or coconut oil

That is the type of meal plan that works for me. And also, that is an "average" day for me. Some days I need a bit more, some days a bit less. Some days I need an extra serving of carbs, while other days I need a bit extra protein.

Also very important ESPECIALLY for women, any time you have sugar, you need to temper it with a decent amount of healthy fat. So for instance, if you put sugar in your coffee... you should put full fat milk, half and half, or cream in your coffee to slow the sugar absorption so you don't cause your blood sugar to go up and start the cycle of the blood sugar roller coaster.

Again.. I realize that not everything works for everyone. My nutrition is based off of the Diet Solution Program for protein types who need 1600 calories a day, and it's what works for ME.

God bless!

I graze. Works best for me......

The key thing to remember is when it comes down to it, meal frequency does not affect your metabolism at all, so eat the number of meals that works for you whether that is 1 or 9 or something in between. As long as it is good quality vitamin rich food and you stay within your calorie budget.