5-6 Meals a Day???

Indigo · #1 (**permalink**) April 12th, 2007, 05:17 PM

Ok, I just read that it's better to have 5-6 meals a day because when you eat it actually speeds up your metabolism, that makes sense. Now my question is...

I'm currently eating for Breakfast/Dinner Cereal with Skim milk

For lunch I have a "heavy" but not so heavy lunch, a Salad, Soup, and an Entree...

If I want to do 5-6 meals/day should I add a snack between Breakfast and Lunch and between Lunch and Dinner?

OR

Should I distribute my food throughout the day?

Thanks in advanced.

Alibran · #2 (**permalink**) April 13th, 2007, 05:14 AM

It's really easy to get tied up in what you "should" do, and forget that you have to work this in around your life as well.

I've seen people recommend that you should eat something every 2.5 - 3 hours. What I think a lot of people do in reality is to have 3 meals a day and 2 - 3 snacks.

For me, it works out like this:

Breakfast: when I get up!!
Lunch : 12 - 1pm
Dinner: 7 - 8pm

I generally eat a snack between breakfast and lunch, and one or two snacks between lunch and dinner. When I'm at home, I often "graze" on fruit throughout the afternoon. I always try to eat before I get hungry, as I find I eat less, and I don't get cravings that way.

Indigo · #3 (**permalink**) April 13th, 2007, 07:05 AM

What type of snacks would you recommend?

Alibran · #4 (**permalink**) April 13th, 2007, 09:06 AM

Well, all I can tell you is the kind of snacks I have. I eat a lot of fruit (I usually eat 10 - 15 portions of fruit and vegetables a day), and I usually eat 1 or 2 of the cereal based snack bars a day. If you decide to give those a try, read the ingredient lists carefully though, because some of them are full of rubbish. I also have a protein shake once a day (I make it with fruit juice and half a banana to make a smoothie), and I count that as a snack as well. Occasionally, I'll have something less healthy, like a slice of toast with butter, and I've even been known to have a piece of cake!!

chicagordita · #5 (**permalink**) April 13th, 2007, 09:13 AM

Hey and welcome...Im using tsome rice cakes with flavors..you can eat around 10..not a lot of calories...or some jello cups..they have now ones that have no calories..or just a fruit or frozen juice...light juice of course...lol..hey whatever shuts your cravings up...good luck

indigoiis · #6 (**permalink**) April 13th, 2007, 11:35 AM

I snack on food that is as whole and raw as possible.

Fresh fruit

Nuts

Carrot sticks

Raisins

Popcorn

A 4.4 oz yogurt

Usually shuts up the growlies.

BrunetteGirl · #7 (**permalink**) April 13th, 2007, 02:45 PM

Hi

I usually snack on fruits, whole grain crackers (triscuits), yogurt, or a nice bowl of whole grain cheerios with 1% milk (or skim is better, if you like, I can't get myself to skim yet... hehe) Also, maybe a small sandwich, whole grain bread with turkey is great!! My fave: Keep ing a container of washed grapes in the fridge!! It's easier have snacks ready, that way you take the work out of it when you do get hungry, instead of going for a quick snacks like cookies, no work involved there.

Hope this helps,
BrunetteGirl

maleficent · #8 (**permalink**) April 13th, 2007, 02:50 PM

Quote:

My fave: Keep ing a container of washed grapes in the fridge

try freezing them - makes for a nice treat