Eating several times but less each time

[fitnessk]

I have been hearing that it is better to split your main meals into several smaller meals throughout the day? I can see how this could keep the metabolism going all day. Has anyone tried this and if so, did you hae success?

[Popatar]

I have been doing this for the past few years. Its a stable in the bodybuilding world. I cant really say if it works or not, I've grown in size if that's what your asking.

For the past few weeks now I've been on an intermittent fasting diet. Basically you fast for 16 hours and eat for 8 hours. You don't eat less on the diet (though you can if you want to lose weight), you only fit all your meals within an 8 hour time frame. I definitely have more energy on this diet than the 5-6 meals per day diet.

Here is the guide if you want to learn more:
http://www.leangains.com/2010/04/leangains-guide.html

I will make a thread soon on this subject.

[angeldrb]

Yeah, my doctor said this is effective. I got chubby when I was pregnant and so I asked my doctor how to get slim again. So, she said I should eat every three hours but only simple snacks and not full meals. I guess it's working, but I also work out a lot.

[fitnessk]

Ok thanks for the input. I guess it could help but also needs to be combined with the proper workouts. I think I would have more energy though as my body would have fuel in small amounts throughout the day.

[shaun]

Eating small meals frequently does not raise metabolism, this is a myth. Eating meals regularly will not alter the thermic effect of food. If you eat 6 meals containing 300 calories, the thermic effect is no different to eating 3 meals with 600 calories.

[brandontnguyen]

I heard that the whole smaller meals idea was just a myth. Really, it's more important to just watch what you are eating. That's the most important part of dieting. As long as you are following a proper diet, you should be achieving your goals whether you eat it 3 meals or 6 meals a day.

[shaun]

I heard that the whole smaller meals idea was just a myth. Really, it's more important to just watch what you are eating. That's the most important part of dieting. As long as you are following a proper diet, you should be achieving your goals whether you eat it 3 meals or 6 meals a day.

Exactly, your focus should be on the quality of the food you are consuming rather than the frequency of your meals. You can cover all of your macronutrient needs with less meals, eating lots of meals is not necessary.

[shaun]

Quality > Quantity.

I have 6 meals a day which all add up to my daily calorie intake and my daily protein, carbohydrate and fat intake.

This is definitely the best way to go.

You say quality over quantity, but you eat 6 meals a day! 6 meals a day is not necessary in my opinion. You could condense it to 3 meals a day without a problem.

[fitnessk]

Eating small meals frequently does not raise metabolism, this is a myth. Eating meals regularly will not alter the thermic effect of food. If you eat 6 meals containing 300 calories, the thermic effect is no different to eating 3 meals with 600 calories.

Okay. I actually thought perhaps it could boost your metabolism since it would be running more frequently to burn off the more frequent meals. Thank-you for pointing that out as I think a lot of people think it will change your metabolism.

[shaun]

Eating small meals frequently does not raise metabolism, this is a myth. Eating meals regularly will not alter the thermic effect of food. If you eat 6 meals containing 300 calories, the thermic effect is no different to eating 3 meals with 600 calories.

Okay. I actually thought perhaps it could boost your metabolism since it would be running more frequently to burn off the more frequent meals. Thank-you for pointing that out as I think a lot of people think it will change your metabolism.

It is a common misconception. The 'eat small meals often' mantra is promoted by most experts, even though it has no scientific validity. Eating small meals often will raise blood sugar and therefore reduce insulin sensitivity, not what we want.