How many times a day should i eat and how much each time?

Beccababe01
Beccababe01 Posts: 41
edited November 2024 in Food and Nutrition
Just wondering if i should be eating more then the 3 times a day. If so . how much ? and what times? I dont like to eat after 6pm just b/c i dont like going to bed full. is that bad?

Replies

  • jr1985
    jr1985 Posts: 1,033 Member
    Do whatever works for you, as long as you stay withing your calories nothing is 'bad' It is smarter to not eat real late at night though since you burn a lot less calories sleeping then you do doing anything else...

    I personally eat about 3 300 calorie meals, and 3 100 calorie snacks through out the day
  • Chairless
    Chairless Posts: 583 Member
    I have never read or been given a convincing argument for any particular routine or rules when it comes to splitting up meals etc.

    The number of calories at the end of the day vs the amount burned is all that matter as far as weight loss goes, make a routine that works for you so you feel full throughout the day.
  • MissCheese
    MissCheese Posts: 195 Member
    Hi.

    I roughly split my calories evenly between three meals and leave a little room for an afternoon or bedtime snack. My day goes as follows:

    Breakfast @ 7.00 a.m. (300 calories)
    Lunch @ 12.00 p.m. (350 calories)
    Afternoon Snack @ 3.30 p.m. (100 calories)
    Dinner @ 7.00 p.m. (300 calories)
    Evening Snack @ 9.00 p.m. (50-100 calories)

    I wouldn't worry about not eating after 6 p.m. if that is what your body is used to, if you are hungry though I would try and eat something light.
  • ArroganceInStep
    ArroganceInStep Posts: 6,239 Member
    Just wondering if i should be eating more then the 3 times a day. If so . how much ? and what times? I dont like to eat after 6pm just b/c i dont like going to bed full. is that bad?

    Figure out what your daily allotment of calories is such that you can lose weight (a good starting point is what MFP churns out for you). Divide that up however YOU like best. Few large meals, many small meals, whatever will help YOU stick with your diet best is what you should be doing. You might hear people saying that eating a certain way is better for your metabolism or whatever, it's nonsense. Even if that was the case (and it isn't), the strategy that keeps you on your diet long term is going to be better than the extra 50 calories you'd burn from a stoked metabolic fire or increased HGH production.
  • jennalink807
    jennalink807 Posts: 226 Member
    Eat whenever you want, how ever many times you want. It doesn't matter if you eat late at night, it doesn't matter if you skip breakfast. I know a lot of people who only eat one meal a day and do just fine. It is ALL about maintaining a safe caloric deficit :)
  • FoxyMcDeadlift
    FoxyMcDeadlift Posts: 771 Member
    Personal preference. I eat two huge meals a day and maybe something pre/post workout
  • Zichu
    Zichu Posts: 542 Member
    It all depends on how hungry you are at that time. As long as you stay within your calorie goal, you should be fine.

    I've had meals at 300, 400, 500 and 600kcal. My snacks have also ranged from 100 to 300kcal. I've eaten my dinner at 9pm and sometimes I've eaten it at 7pm. It makes no difference to me. I plan my meals out ahead of time, so I know I can't go over unless I become stupid and start binge eating lol.
  • MrsNewbs
    MrsNewbs Posts: 1
    I think your body tells you when you need to eat.

    Little and often works for me and I have lost 126 pounds so far, last 28 to go which I am finding the hardest so have joined my fitness pal!!

    Be aware of everything you eat and if you have a bad day start again the next day :)
  • billtonkin
    billtonkin Posts: 109
    The first law of nutrient timing is: hitting your daily macronutrient targets is FAR more important than nutrient timing.

    The second law of nutrient timing is: hitting your daily macronutrient targets is FAR more important than nutrient timing.

    Don't over think it. The most important thing is to hit your macronutrient targets, Protein, Carbs, Fat. If you just concentrate on hitting these, you really don't even have to worry about calories, because in the end it should all be set up to equal out. It doesn't matter when you eat them. It's probably easier to break them down into 3-4 meals a day. You could eat them all at once if you want to, but you'll be hungry later.

    Here are a couple of myths I'm sure will be posted soon. Watch out for them.

    - Your body can only process so much at once, spread out your meals.

    - Carbs eaten after 6-7pm or before bed turn into fat.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    Whatever works best to keep you within your calorie goals. You may need to try a few different eating schedules to determine what works best for you. What is best for me or other may not be the same for you.
  • Captain_Tightpants
    Captain_Tightpants Posts: 2,215 Member
    Meal frequency and timing doesn't matter to weight loss. Eat all your calories in one go or nibble throughout the day - your choice.

    Meal frequency and timing will affect other things in your body though - digestion issues, satiety, sleep patterns etc. - so listen to your body and figure out what works for you. Everyone's different.
  • lovinmysoldier
    lovinmysoldier Posts: 156 Member
    When I started I noticed I was always hungry at the same times each day which didn't always correlate with a 'meal'. Based on when I was hungry I figured out my meals and rough calorie split for the day.

    For me:
    Breakfast 6:30
    Snack. 9
    Lunch 11:30
    Snack 2:30
    Dinner 5
    Snack 8 (if hungry)
  • ArroganceInStep
    ArroganceInStep Posts: 6,239 Member
    The first law of nutrient timing is: hitting your daily macronutrient targets is FAR more important than nutrient timing.

    The second law of nutrient timing is: hitting your daily macronutrient targets is FAR more important than nutrient timing.

    Don't over think it. The most important thing is to hit your macronutrient targets, Protein, Carbs, Fat. If you just concentrate on hitting these, you really don't even have to worry about calories, because in the end it should all be set up to equal out. It doesn't matter when you eat them. It's probably easier to break them down into 3-4 meals a day. You could eat them all at once if you want to, but you'll be hungry later.

    Here are a couple of myths I'm sure will be posted soon. Watch out for them.

    - Your body can only process so much at once, spread out your meals.

    - Carbs eaten after 6-7pm or before bed turn into fat.

    I was reading your post from the bottom up as I was checking for new responses...and I was about to be annoyed with you. Never mind man, carry on =)
  • exacerbe
    exacerbe Posts: 447 Member
    I eat when I'm hungry.
  • PunkRockDad
    PunkRockDad Posts: 76
    The first law of nutrient timing is: hitting your daily macronutrient targets is FAR more important than nutrient timing.

    The second law of nutrient timing is: hitting your daily macronutrient targets is FAR more important than nutrient timing.

    Don't over think it. The most important thing is to hit your macronutrient targets, Protein, Carbs, Fat. If you just concentrate on hitting these, you really don't even have to worry about calories, because in the end it should all be set up to equal out. It doesn't matter when you eat them. It's probably easier to break them down into 3-4 meals a day. You could eat them all at once if you want to, but you'll be hungry later.

    Here are a couple of myths I'm sure will be posted soon. Watch out for them.

    - Your body can only process so much at once, spread out your meals.

    - Carbs eaten after 6-7pm or before bed turn into fat.

    Spot on my friend, spot on.:drinker:
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