Weight-Loss What are small meals???

Weight-Loss
MamaJen

MamaJen

New member
I keep reading about eating several small meals throughout the day... but I can't figure out what a "small meal" is? Are we talking a snack? A handful of this or that, here and there?

What do I try to eat every couple of hours? I'm used to making regular meals for my family... can I still eat with them? 3 meals a day is how I'm used to things... but I keep reading that eating several small meals keeps the metabolism going...

Any suggestions? Meal ideas?

Thanks!
 
MamaJen said:
I keep reading about eating several small meals throughout the day... but I can't figure out what a "small meal" is? Are we talking a snack? A handful of this or that, here and there?

What do I try to eat every couple of hours? I'm used to making regular meals for my family... can I still eat with them? 3 meals a day is how I'm used to things... but I keep reading that eating several small meals keeps the metabolism going...

Any suggestions? Meal ideas?

Thanks!
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Eating 5-6 equally sized meals is not possible for some people.

Eating 3 meals a day and 2 snacks is just as good as 5-6 meals.

To work out how much you'd need for eat meal just divide your total calories by 5 or 6.
 
My general advice is too eat as many meals as you possibly can while keeping it comfortable.

If that means 3, great.

If that means 6, awesome.

If it's someplace in between plus snacks.... okay.

Do what you have to do to stay as satiated as possible and consistently keep your calories in check.
 
I find 5 meals a day helps me get the calories in that I need. When I miss snacks, which I have been lately :(, I tend to go under calories for the day. I had a scare a few nights ago where I ended up in the hospital because I nearly passed out. Not cool.
 
A small meal is about half a portion of a "normal" large meal.
For example, before I started dieting, I ate three large meals a day - huge bowl of cereal for breakfast big sandwich and a salad for lunch, and lots of pasta for dinner with dessert. (yumm lol)
Now, For breakfast I'll have one serving of cereal with a little milk, and about 5 other small meals/snacks throughout the day. My snacks are usually of fruits, non-fat dairy, protein, vegetables, and other low-fat/low-sugar foods. See my posted diary entries for more examples (and tips!). But if you do look at my diet diary, please keep in mind that I probably am eating less than you would need, as I am 16, 5'1", and 113 pounds. ;)

Tips:
-The purpose of the small meal is to help you feel full and satisfied throughout the day, without overeating!
-A small portion of any protein like chicken or steak is the size of your palm! (not including fingers!!)
-The less unnatural sugar, the better the diet! (Sugar in ice cream is bad. Natural sugar in fruits are good!)
-Synthetic sugars like Equal sweetener retains body fat!
 
If you want to try the 6 meals and still eat with your family, remember to tell them to give you less food at meal time and not the same portion you are used to when you eat 3 meals a day, because if you don't you will end up consuming more calories per day.

For young people good easy meal foods are fruit, veggies, yogurt, small can of tuna (the kind that have the easy open top).
 
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