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christyandmuddy
New Member
| Joined: | 5 May 2008 |
| Location: | Florida USA |
| Posts: | 66 |
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Posted: 14 May 2008 03:43 pm |
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I always hear advice to eat five small meals a day rather than the regular three big ones. It makes sense and I would love to do that but I do not honestly know how people find the time to not only eat but prepare five meals in a day?!? For a busy person this sounds impossible!
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CrimsonAnimus
New Member
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Posted: 14 May 2008 06:08 pm |
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I don't eat 5 times a day, either, but that's not feasible for me, because I sleep for about 10 hours every night. There are usually 3 hours between my meals, and I don't eat for about 2 hours before I go to sleep.
It's really not that hard, though, and you don't have to have a full meal 5 times a day. An average meal consists of more than one item, so instead of eating all those items at the same time, just eat one of them at a different time. You can have a fruit or some veggies, which require little to no preparation at all.
Regardless of how busy you are, you can carry your food with you. If you have a purse, this becomes a bit easier, but alas. LOL
Pack a small bag of grapes or peanuts or the like with you when you go somewhere, and eat them when you get a few minutes. It can be done.
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MidgeH
New Member
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Posted: 15 May 2008 08:30 pm |
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This is the biggest change I've made in my diet, and it seems to have helped (lost 15 lbs in 3 weeks). For me it's all about planning. I don't prepare 5 meals, I prepare lots of things early in the week to help get me through. For example on Sundays I measure out 5 portions of a high fiber cereal, 5 servings of fruit (strawberries are the BEST - low sugar, high fiber and unlike most fruit they give you a full feeling), 5 salads with some protein, 5 servings of peanut butter with celery sticks (this is an awesome snack. Crunchy, creamy, and it satisfies any fat cravings you might have, but with GOOD fat and very little sugar.) This way I only have to grab and go, and I can pull out a 200-300 calorie snack/meal every 3 hours. The only time I cook is in the evenings, and even that I plan so that I have all the veggies and lean protein I need. (having a couple of frozen meals on hand is a good idea too for those days when you just can't face cooking. Just watch the salt!)
It was a little difficult to get in the habit of doing this but now that I have I find that my appetite, calorie intake and even my mood are better. I get hungry, sure, but knowing that my next snack is at the ready helps keep me from feeling deprived.
note: I have found that 6 times a day is too much for me. Too many calories, plus it makes stopping eating at a reasonable hour (8pm for me) harder.
Last edited on 15 May 2008 08:32 pm by MidgeH
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christyandmuddy
New Member
| Joined: | 5 May 2008 |
| Location: | Florida USA |
| Posts: | 66 |
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Posted: 16 May 2008 12:34 pm |
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Thanks for the advice. Do you find you are less hungry eating several small meals as opposed to three regular meals?
I have trouble finding snacks that will keep without a refrigerator (everything in Florida spoils so quickly!) I eat beef jerky for dinner a lot of nights while in the car driving from work to school (no time for a real dinner). I used to eat celery and peanut butter for dinner a lot too (also in the car). Until just recently I was eating a package of sunflower seeds or cashews for dinner but when I switched to beef jerky I started noticing some pounds coming off. It could have just been a coincidence but I thought it might have something to do with the fat in the nuts. Or maybe I was just eating too many...
At the very most, though, I think I could only squeeze in four small meals by splitting my lunch at work into two meals. I'm at school all night so no time to eat then (which has actually been good for me, I think).
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Javan
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 19 May 2008 06:34 pm |
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I eat 6 to seven times a day. Usually as such:
Breakfast
snack
Lunch
Snack
pre-supper snack
Supper
Snack
I find that it is very easy. I always eat granola bars for the daily snacks, then some cottage cheese before supper, then cheese and crackers or yogurt, etc after supper.
It is quite easy when you get used to it!
Last edited on 19 May 2008 06:34 pm by Javan
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cportwine
Member
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Posted: 21 May 2008 12:51 pm |
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Some days, I just snack all day long. You know a granola bar, a couple bites of veggies, an orange, etc.
So, there not really prepared meals, but it keeps my energy up and helps me to not focus so much on food.
I also find that sometimes if I do eat a meal, I have a hard not stopping and keep eating more and more. So, the snacking and smaller portions help with that also.
I would have to say most people who eat more than three times a day are not eating a sitdown prepared meal. But, I may be wrong about that.
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Javan
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 21 May 2008 01:25 pm |
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I tend to agree. Then again, my only real "sit-down" meal anymore is if we eat out or have friends over. I eat breakfast while standing in the kitchen making my lunch, then eat lunch while sitting at the computer at work. Supper is usually quick as well since our dining room is being renovated.
For weekends, I tend to snack as well. Usually a breakfast, then granola and other items until supper time.
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christyandmuddy
New Member
| Joined: | 5 May 2008 |
| Location: | Florida USA |
| Posts: | 66 |
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Posted: 22 May 2008 01:03 pm |
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| I guess I was thinking that five meals a day meant preparing and sitting down to five meals each day. But if a meal could consist of an orange or a granola bar, then it makes sense. I'm afraid that if I was left to snack all day, though, that I would end up eating too much. I suppose that's where the meal planning would come in.
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