The art of eating 4-6 times a day.

I do eat every 2-3 hours. I do it because when I go too long without eating, my blood sugar drops too low. When it is too low, I get headachy, witchy, light headed AND I have a desperate desire to binge eat. For me, eating every couple hours keep all of that (especially the binge eating!) under control. So, while it may not do a damn thing for my metabolism or it may not do a damn thing for my weight loss maintenance, it makes ME feel better. And really? All I care about is what is working for ME.

I have a HUGE problem with eating later at night, which is really bad. Typically, its best not to eat after 7pm. Maybe even 6pm. And small meals are much better for you. They will help you get used to smaller portion meals and after your body adjusts, you won't be feeling hungry. Find some tricks in the meantime, but your body will get used to it and your stomach will need much less food to feel full.

Thanks.

Your posts came across as very know it all, I know best, etc. Please keep in mind that we are ALL different (hence why people got snarky with you) and that different things work for different people. Trying to make a general statement for what works for YOU as "Fact" isn't how to go about being helpful.

I'm not trying to be rude, but you were very in everyone's face about the whole subject.

Eating later at night is NOT bad. It's only bad if you have already eaten your calories throughout the day and then eat more at night. As long as you create your calorie deficit, it doesn't matter if you have all your calories in one big meal right before bed.

YES, it actually is bad to eat later at night. Unless you work out before you go to bed. Eating carbs at night is even worse for you. Carbs give your body energy. And unless you burn the calories before bed, all that fat is stored and the nutrients is not absorbed because your digestive system is not as active as it is during the day. It also causes difficulty sleeping and things like GERD.

Sorry, but I totally disagree with this. I ALWAYS eat before I go to bed - every single night. I've lost 60lbs and I've kept it off. It is more about WHAT you are eating than WHEN you are eating it.

Like I said, I ALWAYS eat before bed - usually 20 mins or so before I go and I'm doing just fine with it.

Good for you! Like I said, that is only my personal experience. I soooo wish I could eat late at night. But you are lucky that you can! Congrats on the 60lbs!

I have stated several times now that I was speaking about personal experience. I am sorry if I went about being helpful in the wrong way. I never would have thought that it would blow up like this. You're right, everyone is different. I really was just trying to be helpful. I do not "know it all." If I did, I would not be on MFP. And I don't feel like I was getting in anyone's face. I was insulted several times and only defended myself.

Well firstly, you are kind of rude. And secondly, I get all my fitness and diet information from my personal trainer. So wether you agree with my advice or not, it is educated advice.

Personal trainer is wrong then. I'd bet my certificate against theirs because science shows it makes no difference when in the day you consume your calorie allowance.
It's like the myth that states eating breakfast "revs up" your metabolism.



A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Well firstly, you are kind of rude. And secondly, I get all my fitness and diet information from my personal trainer. So wether you agree with my advice or not, it is educated advice.

Personal trainer is wrong then. I'd bet my certificate against theirs because science shows it makes no difference when in the day you consume your calorie allowance.
It's like the myth that states eating breakfast "revs up" your metabolism.



A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Thank you for your professional opinion. It has been established that these are my issues and not to be taken as general fact like I seemed to be saying it was. As far as general health FOR ME, it is very bad for me to eat late at night. My personal trainer was probably speaking about my specific circumstances. Obviously I am no professional.

Something that my friend taught me (he is a personal trainer and lost about 200 lbs before he started training) was to either eat fat free cottage cheese and low cal veggies (celery, peppers, green beans...not peas, corn, carrots, potatoes. etc. ). If you are like me and hate cottage cheese, he said getting a casein protein powder and drinking it along with a few low cal crunchy veggies is good. I will tell you it works wonders. I was always so hungry when I went to bed and got up starving....which led to late night kitchen raids. I feel much better now, I would say that the shake actually makes me feel very full and in the morning I am not hungry either. Hope this helps. :flowerforyou:

I have stated several times now that I was speaking about personal experience. I am sorry if I went about being helpful in the wrong way. I never would have thought that it would blow up like this. You're right, everyone is different. I really was just trying to be helpful. I do not "know it all." If I did, I would not be on MFP. And I don't feel like I was getting in anyone's face. I was insulted several times and only defended myself.

I wouldn't say you were only defending yourself. I do recall some name calling. And also not so much speaking from experience, looks like you took a lot of what your trainer said as fact and spreading myths. I just hope you take the time and read over the studies that have been posted. Very good reads! If you would like more I can link you some if you would like. That way you have some science behind what you say, not just what your trainer says.

Good luck to you!:flowerforyou:

I apologize for calling you *****y. It may not have been nice of me to post that. However, I do feel that you were being unnecessarily rude about the situation. I do not know any facts about weight loss or health, I just have opinions. And yes these opinions have been influenced by my trainer. I guess I was under the impression that my trainer should know what they're talking about. I AM SORRY for being too pushy with my opinions. Does anyone else want to address this before I leave?

Good luck to you too Sunshine_88

Also i think posts like this is what we are talking about:

YES, it actually is bad to eat later at night. Unless you work out before you go to bed. Eating carbs at night is even worse for you. Carbs give your body energy. And unless you burn the calories before bed, all that fat is stored and the nutrients is not absorbed because your digestive system is not as active as it is during the day. It also causes difficulty sleeping and things like GERD.

The way you worded it then makes it seem like no one should be eating before bed unless they workout or they will get fat. And that carbs for everyone are bad before bed, which as shown in many responses are not true. It helps when you say "this is what works for me" instead of stating it like it is a fact for everyone. Just advice so threads don't blow up on ya lol

ahhhhhh! I understand what you all are saying. I understood it quite some time ago. Sorry for getting irritated, but I am tired of my posts being analyzed and ripped apart. If this helps, I WAS WRONG. So sorry.

Thank you for your professional opinion. It has been established that these are my issues and not to be taken as general fact like I seemed to be saying it was. As far as general health FOR ME, it is very bad for me to eat late at night. My personal trainer was probably speaking about my specific circumstances. Obviously I am no professional.

I would encourage you then to learn from the people who are "in the know" here. I myself was educated on the amount of calories when running a mile or walking a mile. I was taught it was equal, however a Physics teacher here put me in my place and backed up all of the data with science. But that's good because now I won't be spewing that info anymore. Nothing wrong with learning from people who have correct info.



A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Thats what I thought I was doing when I went to a personal trainer.

Hold on, let me take notes, eating food stops hunger.

Dude, you're killing me!!!!!!!!!!:laugh:

Hold on, let me take notes, eating food stops hunger.

Dude, you're killing me!!!!!!!!!!:laugh:

Oh no lol

Thats what I thought I was doing when I went to a personal trainer.

Nothing wrong in validating information. Feel free to ask me on here. I'm no BS and have great knowledge when it comes to fitness, exercise, metabolism and nutrition. And I'm still learning.




A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Thank you.

]Nothing wrong in validating information. Feel free to ask me on here. I'm no BS and have great knowledge when it comes to fitness, exercise, metabolism and nutrition. And I'm still learning.

I make great omelets.

I make great omelets.

With cheese and bacon?

I have stated several times now that I was speaking about personal experience. I am sorry if I went about being helpful in the wrong way. I never would have thought that it would blow up like this. You're right, everyone is different. I really was just trying to be helpful. I do not "know it all." If I did, I would not be on MFP. And I don't feel like I was getting in anyone's face. I was insulted several times and only defended myself.

I wouldn't say you were only defending yourself. I do recall some name calling. And also not so much speaking from experience, looks like you took a lot of what your trainer said as fact and spreading myths. I just hope you take the time and read over the studies that have been posted. Very good reads! If you would like more I can link you some if you would like. That way you have some science behind what you say, not just what your trainer says.

Good luck to you!:flowerforyou:

I apologize for calling you *****y. It may not have been nice of me to post that. However, I do feel that you were being unnecessarily rude about the situation. I do not know any facts about weight loss or health, I just have opinions. And yes these opinions have been influenced by my trainer. I guess I was under the impression that my trainer should know what they're talking about. I AM SORRY for being too pushy with my opinions. Does anyone else want to address this before I leave?

Good luck to you too Sunshine_88

Yup, I will admit I was a bit too rude. I am actually a nice person I promise ^-^ I tend to get a bit growly in threads sometimes. I really do mean well. Sorry about that then :]

I used to believe all trainers should know what they are talking about too. Crazy eh? Some do, some don't. I have learned to do a lot of my own research. Plus I am a dietetics student so I have some good available resources at my university.

Haha I promise I am a nice person too. Sometimes the internet makes me a little too bold. No hard feelings.

Yeah I am a little disappointed right now... I guess this is the beginning of quite a journey for me. haha But hopefully I will find some good resources.

Don't be disappointed, at least now you know you can eat a huge dinner


umm I wonder whether the OP is still reading or if she ran away lol.. anyone know?

I am very excited about that part. haha

haha I am guessing so. Poor girl.