One meal a day?

fayyyyyx
fayyyyyx Posts: 5
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I know it sounds bad, but I usually only eat once a day. I don't purposely do this, but because of my schedule it just happens. I'm used to it, so I usually don't get hungry.
How bad is this really?
I know you're supposed to eat smaller meals throughout the day, but I've read other things that says people do this and lose weight.
I'm so confused.

Replies

  • Toddrific
    Toddrific Posts: 1,114 Member
    My understanding is that if you are meeting your calorie goals for the day, eat as often or as little as you want.
  • fayyyyyx
    fayyyyyx Posts: 5
    Thanks (:
  • dg09
    dg09 Posts: 754
    I only eat twice a day. I don't think 1 meal a day would be any different.

    There was a thread on here last week that pretty much laid out why the number of meals you eat/day is irrelevant. Can't find it.
  • fayyyyyx
    fayyyyyx Posts: 5
    Thanks anyways, I make sure I eat healthy and everything, but everyone always tells me to eat more often, And I tried but it didn't do anything. Thank you !
  • drmerc
    drmerc Posts: 2,603 Member
    As others have said you'll be fine eatting once a day, just make sure you getting enough macro and micro nutrients
  • fayyyyyx
    fayyyyyx Posts: 5
    Thanks:)
  • chrissismone
    chrissismone Posts: 116 Member
    I suppose if your not feeling any dips in energy through out the day. I mean that's alot to eat at one time. I find eating small meals throughout the day works best of keeping my energy up and my body not saying when is the next meal. But different strokes for different folks.
  • Nickrp77
    Nickrp77 Posts: 5
    This is really the worst thing you can do to lose weight as it does not allow your metabolism to function properly. The reason they advise people to eat small meals throughout the day is because it starts your metabolism off in the morning and keeps it churning all day. You should eat some protein to jumpstart it early and also eat most of your carbs in the morning and at lunch. We as humans have an innate ability to survive so when you starve all day your body will store the food you do eat as fat because from the way you have been eating it doesnt know when it is going to get its next meal. Our built in survival mechanism actually works against us in this instance. You also run the risk of your body burning off muscle instead of fat when you only eat once a day. You will initially lose some weight on a "crash" diet, but when you do eat you will gain more fat as I stated earlier because you are now in what the body senses as the "starvation mode". The best and healthiest way is diet and excercise of course but I would suggest either following the fitness pal to the T or even some other low fat /low carb/ calorie counting program. Good luck and I know how tough it is to eat small meals eall day, but if possible you need to eat at least 3 meals with a couple snacks mixed in but count the calories and simple mathematics will apply and burn more than you eat and the weight will decrease.
  • nwg74
    nwg74 Posts: 360 Member
    This is really the worst thing you can do to lose weight as it does not allow your metabolism to function properly. The reason they advise people to eat small meals throughout the day is because it starts your metabolism off in the morning and keeps it churning all day. You should eat some protein to jumpstart it early and also eat most of your carbs in the morning and at lunch. We as humans have an innate ability to survive so when you starve all day your body will store the food you do eat as fat because from the way you have been eating it doesnt know when it is going to get its next meal. Our built in survival mechanism actually works against us in this instance. You also run the risk of your body burning off muscle instead of fat when you only eat once a day. You will initially lose some weight on a "crash" diet, but when you do eat you will gain more fat as I stated earlier because you are now in what the body senses as the "starvation mode". The best and healthiest way is diet and excercise of course but I would suggest either following the fitness pal to the T or even some other low fat /low carb/ calorie counting program. Good luck and I know how tough it is to eat small meals eall day, but if possible you need to eat at least 3 meals with a couple snacks mixed in but count the calories and simple mathematics will apply and burn more than you eat and the weight will decrease.

    Not true.

    It doesn't matter how often someone has meals as long as it is right calories and the right amount of macro nutrients. It is down to personal preference.
  • Nickrp77
    Nickrp77 Posts: 5
    The one meal a day weight loss programs sold some books recently but it's not the best way to lose weight , you want to change your lifestyle not just hit a goal then go on the rest of your life with poor dieting habits. The book eatSTOPeat is about as irresponsible as any gimmicky diet.
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