How often should meals be eaten?
- Thread starter nspire
- Start date
pebblesus
Cathlete
Its best to eat 4-6 meals per day- it keeps your metabolism steady. When you fast for hours you almost always tend to overeat and then pile in more fat, carbs, protein and/or calories than your body can process at one time = bad 
It also depends on your goals I would think.. I, for instance and trying to gain a few pounds of muscle mass and so my training reflects that.
I eat every 1.5-2 hours (10-30 g's protein each)-- its hard as hell BUT, I don't overeat EVER anymore and Ive even turned down dessert and chocolate cuz Im just not craving it
IOW if you aim for even just 5 a day it will cut down dramatically on your cravings and you won't want to pile in outrageous proportions (not that that is your problem), but I would at least (in a regular case) aim for your typical breakfast/lunch/dinner.. with a snack before lunch and another one before dinner (and not JUST a piece of fruit or handful of nuts).
It also depends on your goals I would think.. I, for instance and trying to gain a few pounds of muscle mass and so my training reflects that.
I eat every 1.5-2 hours (10-30 g's protein each)-- its hard as hell BUT, I don't overeat EVER anymore and Ive even turned down dessert and chocolate cuz Im just not craving it
IOW if you aim for even just 5 a day it will cut down dramatically on your cravings and you won't want to pile in outrageous proportions (not that that is your problem), but I would at least (in a regular case) aim for your typical breakfast/lunch/dinner.. with a snack before lunch and another one before dinner (and not JUST a piece of fruit or handful of nuts).
LaughingWater
Cathlete
I eat around 250 to 300 calories:
early morning (post workout ~ 7:30-8am)
mid morning
lunch
mid afternoon
dinner (usually around 6pm)
At first I hated it. I was used to eating a certain amount at specific times, and I was starving between my mini meals. I learned I wasn't eating enough (surprise!), and once I got my calorie intake up, I did much better. I'm still playing with that number though (I'm working with 1500 to 1600 now).
Now I'm so accustomed to eating smaller meals, I really can't sit down and eat a huge plate of anything. And I'm more comfortable after meals, where as in the past I would many times feel bloated and uncomfortable.
early morning (post workout ~ 7:30-8am)
mid morning
lunch
mid afternoon
dinner (usually around 6pm)
At first I hated it. I was used to eating a certain amount at specific times, and I was starving between my mini meals. I learned I wasn't eating enough (surprise!), and once I got my calorie intake up, I did much better. I'm still playing with that number though (I'm working with 1500 to 1600 now).
Now I'm so accustomed to eating smaller meals, I really can't sit down and eat a huge plate of anything. And I'm more comfortable after meals, where as in the past I would many times feel bloated and uncomfortable.
There is a lot of controversy nowadays regarding how much meal frequency affects weight loss. i think you need to try and see what works best for you. For me, I do best with 3 large meals a day. I eat about 1500 cals a day so this works out to 3 500 cal meals. I feel satisfied after i eat. When i tried to do 6 mini meals, my meals were a measly 250 cals each. I was never statisfied after my meals and i thought about food all day. Never feeling satisfied would cause me to binge about once a week. Some people need to eat meals and snacks to keep from binging. I've had the same results eating 3,4,or 6 meals a day as long as i'm exercising and eating clean. Just like a workout routine, an eating routine is personal and not one way fits everyone. I say play around with meal frequency trying one week with 3 meals per day, one week with 4,5, and 6 meals. Keep a journal to see how your energy levels are and how you feel before and after eating. you'll figure out what works best for you