Quick question...

[fedupoffeelingtired]

Is it better to have set Mealtimes or to eat when you are hungry?

[slipstick Maintainer 2st 7lbs]

Yes. Or I should say whichever suits you. There's no simple answer that works for everyone.

I seem to work best with 3 meals a day at fairly standard times. I think that's because it helps me avoid snacking. If it's not a meal time I'm not eating!

Other people will only eat when they're hungry which may lead to them eating at "odd" times or only having one or two meals a day. And it works really well for them.

About the only thing we know really isn't good is eating lots and lots of small meals, effectively grazing. That gives your digestion no rest and can tempt you into overeating.

[SofaJockey]

Mealtimes are a practical thing, but why eat more food when not hungry, so it's very rational to adjust meal portions accordingly.

[N-o-r-d-i Maintainer 64kg]

Don't know what's better... I personally don't really trust my hunger, not yet, not fully 😊 but I try to avoid eating when I'm not feeling hungry. If I do feel hungry and I haven't used up my calories and the time falls within my eating window, then I eat. If I'm hungry but I have used up my calories or it's not within my eating window - then I drink water 😊

[thara9643]

Eat when peckish is my motto

[Aginghippy 1st 7lbs]

What do you have as a sensible snack ? I find it difficult knowing what I can eat.

[Aginghippy 1st 7lbs]

Thanks, I have been having cheese and fruit and sometimes nuts. I am on low carbs and try not to eat before 10- 12 noon and after 7pm. But not always sure that I am doing the right thing.

[ThaiDogRescue]

personally my brain / stomach seems to think i'm hungry 24 7 so if i want to lose weight i have to stick to a plan as i can't trust myself.

[TheAwfulToad Visitor in reply to ThaiDogRescue]

I notice from your other post that you're eating a "high protein, low-fat, low-carb" diet, ie., you're starving yourself. I really urge you not to do this. You feel hungry 24-7 because you are not consuming any useful nutrition. Add some fat to your meals, cut down on the protein, and you'll feel a whole lot better. Try to base your meals on lots of veg and then add some meat/eggs/dairy according to taste; if you do this, you should find that your appetite works a lot better.

[TheAwfulToad Visitor]

Eat when you are hungry. Stop when you are full.

However this is not going to work if you are eating a fundamentally poor diet. If you find that you're hungry all the time and nothing seems to fill you up for long, you're in big trouble. You need to change the type of food you're eating.