what about eating 5X per day?

[MarkO]

New to the board. Getting ready to re-start, however I am shocked that the good Doctor added carbs to Induction. USed to be a big no no. And I have been reading the many other nutritionists and such that make a solid case for eating 5 or 6 mini meals to keep furling the fire. However Dr. A suggests 3X a day. Why the diferrence, or any comments suggestions from experienced experts here would be appreciated!

[Richt]

Re: what about eating 5X per day?

I dont think it matters how often you eat. As long as you only eat when you are hungary, but dont go more than 6 waking hours without eating. ANd that you only eat until you are satisfied, not stuffed.

HTH

Rich

[Heidi3]

Re: what about eating 5X per day?

there are days I eat six meals a day especially if I have to work a long shift ...I find I do have more stamina, a better attitude and less hunger if eat more often ...it forces me to take a break as well since I dont have a scheduled lunch ... hope this helps

[Lisa M]

Re: what about eating 5X per day?

Hey, Mark, how you doing today?

Eating 4-6 meals a day is really beneficial to spreading out the allowed Induction carbs through out the day on days you are really hungry; you may even find days when you just don't want eat but stick to the daily 3 meals a day schedule because your body needs fuel to keep the metabolism fired up.

I'm a 4 meal a day (most of the time) person because I need the mid afternoon meal between 12pm lunch and 6pm dinner to keep up my energy for the rest of the day.

Best wishes on your journey.

[MarkO]

Re: what about eating 5X per day?

Thanks for your replies and I look forward to participating here.

I guess the answer to my question is, no, TAD has not moved to suggest 5 or six mini's per day. I must admit, the science and arguement being doing so makes sense. And the additions really are two snacks. So I am thinking things like a small slice of turkey wrapped around an asparagus spear or celery with a little cream cheese might be the answer here.

[not2late]

Re: what about eating 5X per day?

The "smaller" meals doesn't mean you have five 14-course meals throughout the day. A "meal" can be a hardboiled egg and a couple of olives.

Also the Atkins diet, even the original one from 1972, included carbohydrates during Induction.

[jenniferclare]

Re: what about eating 5X per day?

I agree with several others here... there have been recent studies that have suggested that the # or times of day that you eat actually have nothing to do with weight gain/loss, it's just that sometimes eating 5 or 6 times a day may keep a person from giving in to temptation because you don't get so ravenous that you binge.

just my .02

[Jerzaka]

Re: what about eating 5X per day?

I never stop eating.

[iyamamaschke]

Re: what about eating 5X per day?

Yup, I eat alt least 6 times a day I try to have somthing ever 2-3 hours it keeps me awake and my metabolism up at least I hope it does HE HE.

Sarah

[MarkO]

Re: what about eating 5X per day?

Thanks again. And yes, I know were talk about just a little something between what B,L or D would be. I was more concerend that it was a big no-no or something.

I have to admit something. I recently tried the Medifast diet. Its 5 8 oz. soy protein shakes daily plus one small meal..maybe 7 oz chicken, half cup of veg. and tni salad. All focued on very low fat. I lost wight, but it was killing me. I really am not a big eater (which is why I cant understand I weigh 240), but I was dieing not having a little solid food.

Therefore its back to atkins, with a better focus than ever. Im just a little concerned I have freaked my metabolism out and Ill gain.

Anyway, off to the grocery store. I am going to be careful but limiting when it comes to the fats, and stick with poultry, fish and eggs as my protein staple. I picked upa few ways here how to make cauliflower interesting (garlic mashed). And Ill be prepared to have a small bit of white meat and a dill pickle or celery/cucumber with a little cream cheese if I need a snack. Im paying this is a winner.

I'll stay in touch here and throught the other pertinant threads at this board going forward.

The one biggest challenge the next two weeks is no adult beverages. But that will be a good for me too. Cheers!

[not2late]

Re: what about eating 5X per day?

Fats are important to the Atkins Diet. But you don't need to eat sticks of butter or drink gallons of olive oil. 1 to 2 tablespoons of added fat to your meals, such as olive oil or mayonnaise, can make your meal "high fat" (greater than 50%).

Be careful about indulging on protein. Too many people make the mistake of gorging on the protein without realizing that about 58% of the protein they eat is converted to glucose (which in excess is converted to body fat) by atheir bodies.

By the way, I'm happy you've kicked the soy protein diet to the curb. Soy has been associated with decreasing your thyroid function, which can lead to weight gain.

[MarkO]

Re: what about eating 5X per day?

Thanks Megs. And I agree about not over doing the protein. Here's what I plan to do basically. Constrcutive criticism of my food plan is welcome:

B One of two hard egg whites, 8 oz water. Canadian bacon slice maybe everyother day or more frequent if desired.

S Half slice deli turkey or boiled ham and a asparagus stick or two. Water

L 4-5 oz. chicken, turkey breast tuna or chick salad, or shrimp (1X week) with small salad. Maybe 1/2 cup steamed broc or cali. Water

S Celery with a lite amount of cream cheese. Water.

D See L, add salmon or tilpaia one or two times/wx Water

Happy Hour Water with a twist or Iced tea YEah that's gonna fool em)

Evening Water. SF Jello maybe oce or twice

I may back off the eggs a day or two and have a slice of turkey in lettuce wrap with a tad of mayo or mustard. I dont want to get too complicated with "recipes for indcution, rather stick with whole foods, mix it up a little so the body doesnt get stuck knowing what to expect.

I'll give 14 days before passing judgement. Weigh on morning 8. And ask my Rabbi and the Pope to pray for me (Im neither Jewish or Catholic, but it cant hurt).

[not2late]

Re: what about eating 5X per day?

You might want to open a free account at fitday.com and enter your proposed menu. From what I can see it looks low fat---about 30% if that at all. Again, Atkins is not a low carb, low fat diet. But on the other hand, it's not high fat to the point that you're slurping down jars of mayonnaise every night.

There is no problem eating leaner cuts of meat with Atkins, but you need to add the fat back with fat.

[MarkO]

Re: what about eating 5X per day?

Familiar with FitDay and looking to make some adjustment now. I know I am looking a little low fat but any more gets scary...I mean I AM already fat!!! I need to calulate it out with sald dressings, hits of mayo and cream cheese. The first time i did Atkins i stuck with white meat poulty pretty much and lost 20 or so in Induction. Ill probably add a small ground round burger and chicken thigh/leg combo each week to add fat. Again, scary stuff.

I knw Dr. A is one of those Ya gotta eat to get slim guys, and I agree to a point. But you have to reduce calories too according all other science, so its a bit of a quandry. I just do not want to gain an ounce and thats where my head is.

Do you just use free FitDay or do you pay. When experiemnting, it seemed the freebie didnt have some things in its database. I forget what it was I couldnt find.

Thanks for staying on this with me Meg. Youre helping and look forward to your input here.

[not2late]

Re: what about eating 5X per day?

Re-read the sections about fat in the book.

Fat helps stave off hunger between meals.
The fat-to-carb ratio is what gets us into ketosis/lipolysis.

The big scam about the "low fat" products on the market is that in order to make them taste like the real, full fat thing, they add carbs---starches and sugars---so eating low fat can be fattening, since excess carbs are converted to fat by our bodies.

Again, you don't have to eat pounds of butter or swig gallons of olive oil daily. You need very little added fat, anywhere from a 1/2 tablespoon to 2 tablespoons per meal, depending on the leanness of the proteins.

Since you are entering your foods into fitday, you'll see how little added fat you need to have a meal that's 60-65% fat.