3 0r 6

[aamna]

Are six small meals really better for your metabolism, than a healthy three-meals-a-day diet?

to lose weight

[JaySeeSkinny]

The jury's out on that one. The idea is that your blood sugar stays relatively constant during the day with 6 small meals and so you don't get hunger spikes. But there's a growing body of experts who say that this is not good as your body is constantly producing insulin, there's too much around and you start to get resistant to it - which is the start of type 2 diabetes. Insulin is also the fat-storing hormone, if there's a lot around its busy laying down fat stores (mostly round your middle).

I for one am trying to get away from constant snacking/small meals.

[Activity2004 Visitor in reply to JaySeeSkinny]

If you're type 1, then you may need some snacks during the day depending on your blood sugar.

[JaySeeSkinny in reply to Activity2004]

Yes, that's true. They have to ensure their blood glucose levels don't get too low. It must make it even more difficult to lose weight!

[Activity2004 Visitor in reply to JaySeeSkinny]

It can if you don't count carbs. and try to keep the A1c (3 month blood test) in control. I'm type 1.

[RiverWalk in reply to JaySeeSkinny]

This makes so much sense! I like the science of your response.

[Hidden in reply to JaySeeSkinny]

Yes, I agree with this. I used to be a "5 mini meals good" person, because it meant not waiting too long before eating again. But I have completely changed my mind and now think it's best to eat 3 meals a day, at set times, no snacks between meals, plus stop eating early so you have a decent overnight fast (I try to do all my 3 meals between 9am and 7pm).

Obviously the occasional diversion from this, for a special occasion, or the occasional ice cream cornet or tea and cake on a day out is part of the joy of life. But most of the time sticking to a routine of eating is best, in my opinion.

[aamna in reply to Hidden]

i have changed my mind from today.

[JaySeeSkinny in reply to Hidden]

I also think a little bit of fasting doesn't do any harm and have introduced 1 fasting day a week (Friday). I don't stick to it religiously (on holiday for instance, or if there's a party) but it just helps in keeping the weight under control. As its only one day a week I can bring sufficient willpower and I try to really eat nothing on that day, on the basis that our ancestors also had starvation days when they were foraging and we're probably adapted to it. I drink tea and water though!

And as today is Friday I am quite hungry now!

[albinohedgehog]

Im not sure about the metabolism thing, but i find i need to eat little and often to keep my blood sugar stable as i get low blood sugar after about 4 hours of no food. I think its probably ideal to stick to three meals a day if you can though as ive read you tend to eat less over the day.

In the end its whatver works for you though i think.

☺

[moreless Administrator 7 stone]

I'm not sure that you can generalise a "right and wrong" way aamna, just a right way for us as individuals. I personally try to avoid snacking, as I find it leads to more snacking, so I just stick to my main meals

[aamna in reply to moreless]

yes i think that's what always i did. 1st small snack and then snack and another one.

Thank you

[Hidden]

I would love 6 meals a day! Making do with 3 stops me thinking about food. I prepare my lunch time meal after breakfast and plan what I'm cooking for tea. Then I don't need to think about food in between.