How often do you eat?

[goin2befit]

Just curious.. I know it should be obvious, "when you are hungry!" However, I have a hard time telling when that is. I have also read different things on eating every 2-3 hours to charge your metabolism... just wondering if there is any truth to this.

Has anyone tried both... eat say 3 meals a day vs. eating say 6 meals a day... which did you lose better/feel better on?

[Suzanne_H]

Re: How often do you eat?

I usually eat a decent breakfast (scrambled eggs with a slice of cheese, maybe a couple slices of bacon or a patty of sausage), a good lunch, a small meal after school is out then a small supper... so I guess I get hungry about 4 times a day.

[lannerjarv]

Re: How often do you eat?

i eat 4-5 times a day.
i'm more of a grazer though, i.e. small "snack" type meals rather than large ones.

eggnog shake at 7am, pep and cheese at 10am, tuna w/ salad at 1pm, cut up veggies at 4pm and then chicken wings or something with sauteed veggies or salad at 7pm.

i find that the 4pm to 7pm slot is when i am most hungry throughout the day. i'll probably end up switching my mid morning and mid afternoon snacks, but i personally would rather eat more calories in the am than the pm.

[Georgiana]

Re: How often do you eat?

Most days I have three meals and two snacks.

I have also read different things on eating every 2-3 hours to charge your metabolism... just wondering if there is any truth to this.

I have yet to read any research showing that one "charges" one's metabolism by eating every 2-3 hours.

[2big4mysize]

Re: How often do you eat?

I have no set eating pattern and eat when I'm hungry or that darn 6 hr rule hits if I'm not hungry.
Some days I'm eating twice a day and other days I eat all day long.

I've noticed if I have eggs and cheese and sausage for breakfast regardles of what I have with it I need that 6 hr rule to eat later but if I have ham or bacon instead of the sausage I eat lunch about 5 hours later cause I'm hungry and if I eat fish I'm hungry 2-3 hours later no mater how much fat I have with it for breakfast.

[atkinsgal08]

Re: How often do you eat?

Amanda,

What eating pattern works best for YOU?

That's the only one that matters!

[poobears1972]

Re: How often do you eat?

I usually eat 3 times a day. I don't get hungry for snacks between meals anymore. Usually have to make myself eat.

[thefemalegreenday]

Re: How often do you eat?

2 times on normal work days..
Small breakfast.
Big dinner.
Dinner is where I get creative =)

[Georgiana]

Re: How often do you eat?

On Atkins, one should eat at least every 6 hours. With only breakfast and dinner, I don't see how you do that.

[thefemalegreenday]

Re: How often do you eat?

I would but I work at a busy cafe which does not give breaks.
So its not really my fault that by the time I come home its dinner. =P

[sallyseachange]

Re: How often do you eat?

Snacky breakfast (these days), mid-morning snack, light lunch, mid afternoon snack sometimes, good dinner.

[chinadoll]

Re: How often do you eat?

I do best when eating a good solid breakfast, a small lunch, decent snack mid to late afternoon and a smallish dinner. Then nothing in the evening for me. I like eating smaller meals, more often because then I have the added bonus of not stretching my stomach out for a large meal. Granted we shouldn't do that anyway but since it takes your brain 20 minutes to register when full, sitting down a little less hungry usually means I eat less and eat slower--both good things for me.

[goin2befit]

Re: How often do you eat?

Amanda,

What eating pattern works best for YOU?

That's the only one that matters!

That is my problem... I vary from day to day/week to week... I know I do better when I have a "plan" so I thought I would see what others are doing.

I have a hard time controlling my hunger if I'm hungry, but I also find that I pick just to pick. I'm clueless I guess on this idea.

But I guess over a week, my calories should average out .... (I know that is what the peds say about kids) My 2 year old drives me insane so I have learned to just take it like that... somedays it seems she is just hungry all day and others I can only dream she eats something!

Thanks everyone for sharing!

[Aprile]

Re: How often do you eat?

Due to having to take medications on an empty stomach and having to wait 2 hours after I take meds to eat. I eat breakfast at 10am, lunch for me is at 2pm and dinner is at 6pm. If I am hungry between meals I eat a small snack of cheese and cucumber slices with ranch dressing. I am also on a doctor scheduled eating plan so I have to follow it or else I end up not eating. I set the alarm on my phone to remind me to eat something.