Or maybe you don’t eat at the “right” times?
Just like the idea that different people don’t need to like the same food, different people also don’t need to eat the same amount of food. Looking to others as a way of determining how much to eat is a very, very dangerous idea. No two people have the exact same body and lifestyle, and therefore no two people should be eating the exact same amount.
This was my breakfast today: Sugar Cookie Oatmeal.
I ate it, post-run, along with strawberry slices and peanut butter. Pre-run breakfast consisted of fresh watermelon and a bunch of pistachios. After breakfast, I talked with my little sister on the phone. She’d just woken up and was eating her own breakfast: a single container of yogurt.
Whose eating style is correct?
Both of ours! I probably eat about twice as much as my sister, and yet we’re both perfectly healthy. She’s shorter than me, has a slower metabolism, and doesn’t go running; therefore she needs less. If she were to eat like me, she’d probably end up with the world’s worst stomachache. And if I were to eat like her, I’d be so hungry I could eat an elephant. (Don’t worry, fellow vegans. I said I could, not I would.)
The mainstream media tells us there is also a “right” number of times to eat: five or six small meals, divided throughout the day. But once again, I have to argue that no one should take this advice as something set in stone. Do not trust society to tell you what or when to eat; experiment and find out what works best for you. I think eating every 3-4 hours works best for many people because it keeps energy levels up. But if you find that your energy doesn’t drag even if you go six hours without food, why should you feel like you have to eat anyway?
As an example, let’s use my friend Sarah.
She normally eats a small breakfast, followed by a big lunch and dinner, and she rarely ever snacks during the day.
Unless I make Lemon Poppyseed Muffins.
Those, she can’t resist.
On the other hand, I usually eat six meals a day and will almost always taste-test recipes in between meals as well. You’d be hard pressed to find a time my mouth is not stuffed with food. Does this mean one of us is eating incorrectly? No, not at all! It just means we’re different people with different needs.
Do you eat three meals per day? Or six smaller meals? Or maybe you’re a grazer?
And do you ever compare the amount you eat to what others eat?
Katy says
11th July 2011 at 7:39 pmGreat post, Katie! Like many of the others who commented, I’m also a recovering (recovered?) borderline anorexic, and still struggle with how much I should or do eat. A typical day for me is breakfast (7 am), mid-morning snack (~11 am if time permits; sometimes just coffee, sometimes a piece of fruit), late lunch around 2 pm, afternoon snack after work (5 pm), and a light dinner with the hubs around 7-8 pm. I probably eat the most at lunch, that’s when I’m typically the most hungry. But I’ve discovered I need to do small frequent meals because large meals make me feel over-full and nauseated. I often feel that I don’t have (or know) a “middle” range between hungry and full, I’m either starving or stuffed. I think it’s due to disordered eating patterns for so many years. On the other hand, my husband (who’s 22) tends to skip breakfast, graze at lunch, and eat a larger dinner… he stays so busy during the day that he forgets to eat, or has learned to “turn off” the hunger signals until he’s free to eat – I’m not sure which. LOL!
Stephanie @ StephSnacks says
11th July 2011 at 3:41 pmI definitely eat three ‘medium’ sized meals throughout the day. It’s the only way for me to really do it during the work week — I also have a snack or two and always have a nice dessert at night, more of a healthy dessert, but still, something sweet!
Mary @ Bites and Bliss says
11th July 2011 at 4:06 pmI guess I’d classifly myself more as a grazer..I mean I eat small meals a day, but more like 10 small meals, you know? I definitely eat A LOT and I love it!!
Ann Claire says
11th July 2011 at 4:08 pmI usually eat 3 meals a day plus random snacks and stuff. It really just depends on the day. I really try not to compare what I eat to what others eat, sometimes it’s hard not to.
Great post!
[email protected] says
11th July 2011 at 4:10 pmLove this post! My mom’s convinced I eat like a bird because I’m skinny and I’m vegan. But I don’t! I eat less than some, I often halve recipes, since I’m short and don’t require as much food as someone taller. I’m a definite volume-eater, and a snacker!
Rachel @ Eat, Learn, Discover! says
11th July 2011 at 4:13 pmI love seeing posts like these that make me feel so much better about my odd eating habits. Until I was about 16, I sed to be able to eat more in a day than most grown men. Then I started gaining weight and getting less hungry, but I kept eating the same way!
I compare what I eat to others ALL the time, and I find it so hard not to! I still have yet to figure out my true eating style, but I definitely lean towards snacking and feel better when I eat smaller portions more often.
Andrew Smith says
11th July 2011 at 8:14 pmI could not agree with you more, in the past I was shackled by how much my family would eat and when they would eat. I was also eating six smaller meals a day thinking it was ideal for me, but I felt like I was becoming obsessive over food and feeling hungry and anxious every time one of my smaller meals was delayed. I have since distanced myself from the pressures of family and friends and eat as and when I please often with a huge meal first thing. It seems to work so much better for me now 🙂 You have really emphasised how liberating it can be to forget about other people and do what is right for the person. Thank you for that Katie, you are an inspiration to me and many, many others 🙂
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
12th July 2011 at 12:55 pmAw, thank YOU for such a sweet comment :).
Silvia says
11th July 2011 at 8:18 pmI try to eat 4 times every day (at least), granola with yogurt for breakfast (sometimes it´s just some fruits, but sometimes a piece of cake!), normal- or smaller sized lunch, afternoon snack- some fruit and/ or nuts (from the time i started to eat that snack, I don´t feel that hungry for dinner, what is great, since I used to eat huge dinner), and normal- sized dinner.
Emilia says
11th July 2011 at 4:20 pmGreat topic to touch on! Comparing is such an issue in today’s society as everybody thinks we should be “the same”, which is totally incorrect! You’re so right– our needs are very different depending on age, activity level, weight, and overall metabolism! What somebody does or needs doesn’t mean that’s true for you. That can be very hard to accept often.
I eat about 6 times a day as I’m active and have a speedy metabolism 🙂 Definitely not a grazer!
Megan says
11th July 2011 at 8:41 pmThank you so much for posting this! It could not have come at a better time. I am recovering from an ED and am trying to gain weight…again. I usually eat 5 meals including 2 smaller snacks. I often compare my food to other people’s portions because my hunger signals are all wonky and I have days where I don’t get hungry at all. However, I used to just not eat whether I was hungry or not so I guess that is what I get. Anyways, when I work out I tend to get super hungry for the rest of the day but always try and eat balanced, vegetarian deliciousness! For now, I am not allowed to exercise (IT SUCKS), but eating every 3 hours or so still keeps my metabolism up! It is interesting how God created everyone so uniquely too 🙂
Savannah(Sweet and Savvy) says
11th July 2011 at 8:43 pmI eat three meals a day and graze! My initial thought to the question, Do you eat too much? was yes! I probably do. But I eat three smaller meals a day, definitley a couple snacks, and I also graze.
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says
11th July 2011 at 4:46 pmKatie I break ALL The rules and I blog about it. I drink coffee, I eat sweets, I eat lots of plants, I eat late, I eat a big amount of food very late at night and go straight to bed, I skip a traditional breakfast..and yet this is how I feel optimally.
When I try to conform to “the rules” or what others think is best (best for them, not for me!), I end up not feeling optimally.
We are all so different and must follow our own path, period.
Awesome post, as usual 🙂
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
11th July 2011 at 7:11 pmYeah, I pretty much stopped listening to mainstream media when I started a post-run stretching routine and realized my muscles felt WORSE than when I didn’t stretch at all! Rules are meant to be broken, right? 😉
Moni'sMeals says
11th July 2011 at 5:11 pmI like this post a lot. S0 many woman (especailly) compare to what other woman are doing. You nailed it…No one is the same and no one is wrong, it is what works for them.
I eat all day long, people are always impressed. 🙂
I fuel when I need to, I bump up the calories when I need to, (say after tough workouts), and I listen on in to what my body is telling me. 🙂
[email protected] says
11th July 2011 at 9:13 pmI’m not sure how I missed your other post! Thank you for linking because they’re both great and spot-on. I think there is lots of pressure about, not just from blogs but in general, but it’s the old saying about one man’s meat is another man’s poison – what works for one could be a nightmare for someone else 🙂
Aine @ Something to Chew Over says
11th July 2011 at 5:15 pmThank you for bringing this up Katie – 95% of the time I think “I’m doing what’s best for me” but occasionally I worry “I should do what she does”. It’s helpful to be reminded that there’s no ‘correct’ way to eat. So thank you!
I have a big breakfast at around 7, a snack at 10-10.30, a small lunch at 1, another snack at 4ish, a fairly big dinner at 6-7 and a snack at 9-10 after my evening workout. This works for me and fits in around my active day (I walk to and from work and workout after dinner).
My lunch sometimes gets commented on as being small but this is what suits me – I’d rather spread my food out than eat it in one sitting. I used to worry that I snack too much but what’s wrong with snacking?!
Jennifer says
11th July 2011 at 9:35 pmWhen I was younger, certain members of my family used to make comments about how much/often I would eat. Although my mom and grandmother used to always defend me pointing out that I was still growing and needed nutrients, the comments always bothered me and made me question whether I did, in fact, eat “too much.” However, I have come to realize that eating when/because I am hungry is never eating too much. In fact, it is always eating just enough.
Eventually, those members of my family gave up on me when they saw that their comments were not going to make me change my habits or make me eat differently. But, they were really slow learners. I’m glad that I learned to ignore them faster!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
12th July 2011 at 12:56 pmWhen people tell me I eat too much, I just smile and joke that it’s not me… THEY eat too little ;).
The Bird Cage says
11th July 2011 at 9:35 pmHi Katie,
I just discovered your fun and gorgeous blog. I can really tell it’s full of love and life. I find it at the best of times for me, well the most fitting of times for me. I’m about to go into inpatient program to finally kick my anorexia and gain a few kilos. I think chocolate-covering everything may help 🙂
I’ll continue to visit you for healthy and tasty inspiration!
[email protected] says
11th July 2011 at 9:58 pmOh that’s so great that you’re kicking that sucker out of your life! Don’t give up, and keep going girl 😀
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
12th July 2011 at 12:56 pmChocolate hugs!!
Sami says
11th July 2011 at 9:42 pmI tend to eat about 5 or 6 times a day. I’ll have breakfast,then about an hour later a snack, then an hour after that a lunch/snack, then ill get on the ice( im a competitive figure skater),come off at the ice cut, have something real quick, go back on, then head home for dinner. I normally have a little something something before bed too.
Emily says
11th July 2011 at 10:00 pmGreat topic to cover! I eat very little in the morning, a medium amount midday, and a TON at night. Definitely “wrong” by social standards but it’s right for ME.
Elise says
11th July 2011 at 6:03 pmI tend to eat 3x a day, simply because that’s what fits in with work! I’d rather have time for a snack as well but it’s just not possible in the cafe 🙁 Oh well! I think it’s actually helped me eat more intuitively when I’m not at work.
Sophie says
11th July 2011 at 10:17 pmThis is a brilliant post, really thought-provoking!
To be honest it’s something I should be more careful of as I often compare myself to my sister who is much thinner than me. Thanks for making me stop and think.
By the way I’ve been a reader for a while and I just wanted to say your recipes are great 🙂
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
12th July 2011 at 12:57 pmAww thank you for all your kind words!
Nichole says
11th July 2011 at 10:28 pmI eat all the time :X I usually have 3 meals a day and snacks in the afternoon and night. Sometimes I just graze between meals. I sometimesss compare my eating habits to others, but i try not to because its pretty clear different people should have different diets.
Char says
11th July 2011 at 10:43 pmGreat post, Katie!! I know it took awhile for me to figure out what worked best for my body. I was often comparing my habits to others’ rather than listening to what my body told me. Now, I just listen 🙂 & I eat what Char needs, not what anyone else needs!
meg says
11th July 2011 at 10:50 pmHey Katie, I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate this post. I often find myself comparing my eating habits to bloggers and thinking that something must be wrong with me because I can’t eat nearly as much as they do. I have to remind myself that: a) they have much more muscle mass than me (i’m working on it!), b) I do not exercise nearly as much as they do, and c) they probably don’t have thyroid problems (which I do). This is just a really great reminder that they way I eat is what is best for me, and me only! Thanks again!!
Lauren @ What Lauren Likes says
11th July 2011 at 7:13 pmI usually eat every 3-4 hours, no matter what I ate 🙂 haha I am always snacky!
Emma (Sweet Tooth Runner) says
11th July 2011 at 7:15 pmHehe I waited until now to comment because I always LOVE reading everyone else’s comments! Always so many interesting thoughts! 🙂
Ok, I did USED to compare, but I don’t any more! I eat a lot and whenever I want and I LIKE that! People do sometimes comment but now I just respond in a jokey way and don’t take it to heart! We are all SO different and I think people can lose sight of that. And I LOVE YOU for seeing that and posting about it!! I hope people learn to stop comparing and just accept that we all need and want different things 🙂
[email protected] says
11th July 2011 at 9:15 pmHee hee, glad it’s not just me that reads all the comments!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
12th July 2011 at 12:55 pmThat is my absolute favorite parts of blogging. I can never get over how brave everyone is to share so much personal stuff. It amazes me and makes me smile so much!
[email protected] says
11th July 2011 at 7:16 pmim a three meal a day kind of girl
im usually running around in and out of classes so snaking or having 6 meals is just not plausible for me!
Albizia says
11th July 2011 at 11:21 pmI used to participate in small eating contests with my friends as a kid and I was better than some of the boys. I can’t believe I could eat 7 slices of bread with roasted red pepper spread (we call it liutenitsa) and not feel the tiniest bit guilty.
Now I am trying to eat 3 big meals a day but I usually end up with a fourth meal in the evening because comparing to what other people eat always leads to eating less than I need. It is just hard to eat like a horse when a lot of girls eating in the same cafeteria think it is perfectly normal to have a small piece of tofu and a few spoonfuls of fruit salad for lunch. I am pretty sure this is not the amount they need. Sigh. I must work on listening to my own body and stop caring what everybody else does.
Katelyn @ Chef Katelyn says
11th July 2011 at 7:31 pmHmm. Depending on my sched and such, I’ll usually eat three meals a day, sometimes with snacks. If I’m at home all day (which is rare), I graze like it’s my job.
Ali says
11th July 2011 at 11:41 pmmy mum always says ‘everyone thinks it’s ok to comment on the skinny person’s meal’ and it’s so true. I don’t eat much but I do eat good food. I have a small breakfast, a big salad or soup for lunch (oh my god, the amount of times that I’ve been told soup isn’t a meal….!) usually an afternoon snack at around 4 or 5 (usually fruit in summer or popcorn in winter) and a good sized dinner usually around 8.30 – my boyfriend gets home from work late. I also eat really really slowly and people think I don’t like my meal.
I wish all restaurants had size options like fast food places do. I’m sick of waiters asking me if there was something wrong with my meal… yes! it was too big! I’m also sick of having to order boring sides when I don’t want to waste money on a proper meal that I know I’ll only eat half of. this is why I’m all for sharing-type meals like tapas and yum cha and sushi!
Aja says
11th July 2011 at 11:53 pmHow much you eat is completely up to your body and different for every person. I wish more people understood this.
Liz says
11th July 2011 at 11:57 pmI’ve recently noticed I only eat “a lot” when I’m upset. All throughout the last week, I ate a lot of junk food. I’ve been pretty stressed trying to find a job and go back to school, so it only makes sense.
Normally, though, I only eat when I’m hungry. I also like to think I have pretty good restraint. I don’t snack a whole lot, unless I have a craving for something. I eat small to medium sized portions, because I’ve found it just works best for me. I know some people who go all day without eating, and I could never do that. I’m hypoglycemic, so my blood sugar would crash and I’d feel like crap if I went too long without eating.
I wish society was less adamant on its views of what eating right is and isn’t. Everyone is different, like you said!
Amber @ Stop and Smell the Wildflowers says
11th July 2011 at 8:18 pmNow that it’s summer I tend to just eat when I’m hungry and I don’t really go by a schedule. Not sure if it’s the best strategy, but like you say, its all about what works for you. 🙂
Bek says
11th July 2011 at 8:18 pmThank you so so much Katie! I LOVED this post!
I’m in recovery from an eating disorder and have been struggling like crazy with just how much food is tue right amount for my body. I live a very active lifestyle, generally running 3 times, playing touch football once, boxing twice, and doing light kickboxing and weights 3 times every week! Of course, this amount of exercise requires I eat a lot of food and intend to eat two bowls of whatever it is I’m eating for breakfast, a light lunch, a big afternoon tea (usually consisting of WAY TOO MUCH peanut butter) a big dinner and usually an after dinner snack. I sometimes even wake up hungry through the night!
I’ve been so worried that I’m eating too much (that old disordered eating voice doesn’t go down without a fight!) and even sometimes try to not listen to my body and eat less than I feel I need.
While this post obviously isn’t the answer, it did help me see that maybe this IS the right amount for me!
Don’t stop being amazing!
VanessaG says
12th July 2011 at 12:22 amI eat probably a lot compared to some, but not much compared to others just like you. I am also a runner and I run anywhere from 8-13 miles a day. So I need to eat a lot. The problem is I don’t always eat the best of food choices. But O’well, I love what I eat, I’m healthy, active, and happy. I try to not compare my eats with other bloggers or people. I cannot wait till tomorrow to get the pancake recipe!!!! Pancakes are in my top 3 foods 🙂
Bek says
11th July 2011 at 8:24 pmThank you so so much Katie! I LOVED this post!
I’m in recovery from an eating disorder and have been struggling like crazy with just how much food is the right amount for my body. I live a very active lifestyle, generally running 3 times, playing touch football once, boxing twice, and doing light kickboxing and weights 3 times – every week! Of course, this amount of exercise requires I eat a lot of food and I usually eat two bowls of whatever it is I’m eating for breakfast, a light lunch, a big afternoon tea (usually consisting of WAY TOO MUCH peanut butter) a big dinner and usually an after dinner snack. I sometimes even wake up hungry through the night!
I’ve been so worried that I’m eating too much (that old disordered eating voice doesn’t go down without a fight!) and even sometimes try to not listen to my body and eat less than I feel I need.
While this post obviously isn’t the answer, it did help me see that maybe this IS the right amount for me!
Don’t stop being amazing!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
12th July 2011 at 12:54 pmAww you’re so sweet!!
P.S. no such thing as too much peanut butter! 😉
(Oh ok, maybe there is… but in a perfect world we could eat pb all day and not feel sick.)
Nikita says
12th July 2011 at 12:42 amUgh, I keep forgetting to change my website… the above link no longer works!
Brittany @ Ittybitsofbalance says
12th July 2011 at 12:43 amSome days I eat 3 solid meals, and some days 5 or 6 smaller meals! It really depends on my mood and how I’m feeling!
Katherine says
11th July 2011 at 8:50 pmI really, really love this post!
Lisa says
12th July 2011 at 1:00 amthis is SOOO true. my best friend eats 3 meals a day and rarely snacks, but I snack CONSTANTLY!!!! She could go without eat bfast all day, and Im starving the second I wake up! Im even guilty of eating in the middle of the night sometimes on days where I do a lot of activity 😉
it completely baffles me how 2 ppl can eat so different, but its their body and their life- they can eat how they want as long as their healthy!!
so thanks for this post 🙂
Vogelstar says
12th July 2011 at 1:03 amWell said. I also have different eating requirements on different days. Some days one meal is enough, other days I can eat and eat all day and I’m still starving. The important thing is to listen to one’s body and not to what the millions of conflicting diet tips tell you. And if there is room that day, eat the lemon poppy seed muffin 🙂
Anzo says
12th July 2011 at 1:28 amThank you for this post! This is EXACTLY what I needed. I’m training for a half-marathon and I have a sensitive stomach, so I eat a lot, but I also eat very healthy. Do you ever feel pressure from people or get negative comments based on what and how much you eat? I sure do.
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
12th July 2011 at 12:59 pmI do get negative comments, but I turn it into a compliment, like something to be proud of. If someone says, “Wow you eat a lot,” I say, “Yup! I do! I’m active and young and need the energy to keep up with such a busy life!”
[email protected] of Sugar Free says
11th July 2011 at 9:38 pmOh what a Great post, Katie! For me, I feel like I can eat 10 meals a day on some days, and others I only need 3. It really depends on the day and how my stomach feels.
[email protected] of Sugar Free says
11th July 2011 at 9:38 pmWell…Maybe not 10, but 3 with A LOT of snacks….like every hour….
[email protected] says
11th July 2011 at 9:57 pmYeahh I’m the same way too–So usually what works for me is eating between 5-7 times a day. 3 formal meals, and the rest would be smoothies and a buncha snacks 😀 Very interesting topic Katie!
Tara says
12th July 2011 at 1:55 amI agree that everyone should do what works for them! I usually do 4 meals and one mid afternoon snack. yes, dessert is in fact a meal. I eat dinner super early, so by the time dessert rolls around I am hungry for just about as much as i would have at a meal time!
Sarah @ Food and Love Diaries says
12th July 2011 at 2:26 amGreat post! I’m usually a snacker/ grazer… but I’ve been trying to listen to my body and have legit meals instead of snacking all day. meals are more satisfying to me
Lauren @ Chocolate, Cheese and Wine says
11th July 2011 at 11:15 pmToo funny, I just posted about this too! I’m all about the 6 meals!
Colleen says
12th July 2011 at 3:39 amAmazing post! I read all the comments and felt lead to comment…something I never do. I DO NOT compare my food intake to anyone else’s whats the piunt?! We are all internally different with different energy requirements I am a hard-core athlete, personal trainer, aerobic instructor, and marathon runner I eat about 2500-3000 calories daily, but they are CLEAN calories. This is an estimate…I do not waste time counting calories. I am 5’7, 10 lbs, with 8% body fat. Between my training and my job (trainer and aerobic instructor) i workout 6-14 hours a day!!! Its my passion i fuel my body as it requests and do not rely on a clock nor other people to tell me when or what to eat
Also, I just discovered your blog,Katie, and was shocked to see all of “my” recipes in your blog. :). We are both quite the creators in our kitchens.
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
12th July 2011 at 1:00 pmAw I’m so excited you commented! I always love hearing from other people who eat high-calorie clean diets… many doctors don’t understand that it can be done! You don’t have to eat steaks and milkshakes 24/7 if you need to gain weight or take in a lot of calories to maintain energy levels!
beccah says
12th July 2011 at 6:41 pmraw food esp raw desserts,additions of honey,etc are still healthy esp things like avocados and coconut/coconut milk,etc you really shouldnt listen to the gov or anyone else how to eat,its your body,your genetics and it probably wont work for you. plus,if you ate really unhealthy food you’d feel worse/heavier so you wouldnt feel like youd be able to be active,etc which would make you unhealthy little by little.
Colleen says
12th July 2011 at 3:46 am110 pounds…oops!
Melissa says
12th July 2011 at 7:59 pmDid you mean 8% body fat, too?
I thought 10-13% was essential for life and good health for women.
Unless I’m gendering your name incorrectly? If so, sorry!
Are you currently doing figure work/competitions? I know body builders or those doing figure work will drop that low for competition but don’t tend to stay that low since it is not great for your body/reproductive system.
Anonymous says
12th July 2011 at 10:43 pmI have unintentionally held 8% for years. I’ve been tested by many doctors and my health is perfect. My extremely active lifestyle and need to fuel myself with clean energy calories somehow works for my body. We are all different.
Nikita says
12th July 2011 at 12:40 amThis is such a great topic! I was actually just talking to my husband about something similar because I read in a health magazine that women need about 11 calories per pound of body weight to maintain their weight, while men need about 12. A lot of Americans think that everybody needs 2000 calories a day, but thats simply not true! A sedentary woman could easily only need 1200-1300, while an active man might need more than 3000! But you’re absolutely right in that there is a lot more to it: I actually eat almost as much as my husband who weighs 100 pounds more than me! I’m also much more active than he is, and I eat more frequently, which I think keeps my metabolism revved. But sometimes I feel weird because I think I should be eating much less. I feel like I eat more than most women I know.
Ashley says
12th July 2011 at 4:44 amThank you so so sooo much for this post!! Im constantly looking at others skinnier than me and analyzing how much they eat or when they eat. Somehow i feel like if i eat exactly like they do, i too will be skinny like they are. Thank you for reminding me that we are all so different and I just need to eat the way MY stomach tell me too!!
Amy C says
12th July 2011 at 4:49 amI just wanted to add that I have multiple nutrionist and even my own parents tell me that if I would just eat a certain way i could weigh up to 20 pounds less. Unfortunately eating they way they want me to leaves me hungry and tired all the time. It took me a long time to figure out that just because I COULD weigh less, doesnt mean I should if it causes me to feel miserable!! I know eating my late night snack isnt exactly ideal but i feel the need to eat right before i go to bed…it makes me happy 🙂
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
12th July 2011 at 1:02 pmI get so frustrated when others tell you (in an authoritative way) how YOU should eat. It’s one thing if it’s a nutritionist telling someone who asked for his/her advice. But if no one asked, don’t give it out!
Good for you for doing what’s right for YOU!
kaila @ healthy helper! says
12th July 2011 at 1:23 amSo true katie! I would say I eat 5 BIG meals a day…….I guess you could call two of those “snacks” but they are probably the bigger than most peoples meals! I eat A LOT. But it works for me because I have a SUPER fast metabolism.
BroccoliHut says
12th July 2011 at 1:49 amI’m a three meals a day kind of girl! I’ve tried mini-meals, but I just can’t get them to work with my schedule.
Emma says
12th July 2011 at 7:29 amThis is a great post!
At work I get my fair share of condescending comments about my lunch (it’s usually about as big as my head!) ‘wowww Emma you eat so MUCH etc etc yadda yadda’. I once had a giant salad (it was mostly spinach leaves and raw cauliflower or something and I ate every last little bit and someone said ‘enjoy that did you??’. I’m quite thin, have an active outdoor job, I exercise on top of that and I have a super fast metabolism, so eating lots is the right thing for me to do. On the other hand, people who don’t see my meals everyday think I’m starving. Hm.
Usually I go for a big breakfast to last me til morning tea at work, have a snack then (fruit usually), a big carby lunch and a snack after work then dinner a couple hours later 🙂 It works for me and if people can’t handle that then that’s their problem.
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
12th July 2011 at 1:02 pmHere here! 🙂
beccah says
13th July 2011 at 1:18 amwhat people dont get…is its salad! since its raw veggies/fruit,etc it looks like a lot volume wise but isnt high cal atall and you were most likely eating a lot less than they do,and a lot healthier than they.
Nathalie says
12th July 2011 at 8:00 amI’ve vacillated between “want to feel full” and “lots of little meals” many times. Sometimes I just feel one way or the other. Nowadays, I’ve fallen into the pattern of 5 food “sittings.” Something small like half a banana and coffee before my run, the other half after, breakfast at my desk at work, lunch, then dinner. I rarely get hungry between meals. In fact, I often feel on the verge of overfull after dinner, but I know I have to keep my energy intake up. I eat a ton of vegetables which equals a ton of volume. Because I eat two meals of the day at work, I have to prep them beforehand, so condensing intake into two meals (instead of spread out over like, 4) saves me time in the kitchen.
Catherine @ Running Beginners says
12th July 2011 at 4:33 amI don’t really have a certain amount that i eat or set times for meals as such. I probably tend to eat more than many, and somewhat more than the supposed ‘recommended’ amounts but I’ve never really paid attention to any of that. I eat pretty healthy foods, and eat as much as I feel I need when I’m hungry. Some days it’s more than others, but I figure in general that so long as I’m aiming for healthy and listening to my body I can’t go wrong. The odd times I’ve had someone comment in my eating habits I’ve just said “hey, if I”m hungry I’ll eat. Worry about your own food, not mine :)”.
I’ve always been fairly active and therefore needed more fuel. I do tend to eat very slowly so I know when I get full enough and will stop before over eating since I’m eating so slowly haha. The days that I get hungry again I snack between meals. I just figure I’ve not had enough – especially since those days tend to be near more physically active periods. Most days though it’ll be 3-4 meals with snacks between when and if I need them (unless it’s something particularly delicious and then it may well be snacked upon just because I enjoy it :))
Amy says
12th July 2011 at 3:34 pmIt seems like lately I constantly think about food…not because I’m super obsessive about what I eat, but the more I learn about my body, proper nutrition, and fitness, the more I think about it. My husband worries that I’m developing a bad habit of worrying if I’m eating enough or too much or even just eating the right things, but I can’t help it. I actually enjoy thinking, reading, and discussing nutrition. I definitely look at what other people eat and think about what I’m eating in comparison, not because I’m judging, but because I think about health and nutrition all the time. I hate when people comment on what others eat; it’s none of their business. Sometimes we all need to eat a piece of cake and should feel good while we’re doing it!
tasha says
12th July 2011 at 4:21 pmI love this post, especially as I continue the process of re-shaping my body after delivering twins a few months ago. So many people ask my “how” I do it, and while I share, I’m always quick to tell them that this is just what’s working for me. I’m not a nutritionist or a trainer; I’m just learning my body and I encourage them to do the same. I personally like to eat 5-6times a day, but there are days that are so busy that I can only fit in 3-4 and I roll with that. But I do LOVE LOVE to eat, so the more opportunities I can get, the better. 😉
Lorin says
12th July 2011 at 5:56 pmThis is such a great post. I think I do sometimes catch myself comparing to others, but then I realize on that day maybe they needed more or less calories than me because of their activity level. I’m trying to eat more when I’m hungry and not when I think I should. It can be annoying when I hear other people comment about another person’s eating habits. Also, when I go out to eat I want to enjoy the meal and it can be annoying when one of the people you are with says something like, oh this is too rich or this is too many calories. I understand people want to balance but they can think that in their head. I like enjoying myself when I go out to eat and don’t want to hear people’s oh this is going to make me fat type of talk. Also, because I am a nutrition major, people are always think I’m judging them on what they eat and they ask “oh that’s not a good choice is it?” and I don’t really want them to be so obsessed about it, food is for enjoyment too. Okay, rant over :] Awesome post.
Nicole @ Giraffelegs says
12th July 2011 at 6:13 pmLately I have been trying really hard to “listen” to my body. I realize that I might be hungrier on certain days, like when I go running. So if I am super ravenous, you betcha I eat all day until I feel satisfied. If I am picky one day, I of course eat enough to keep me going but I in no way try to force myself to eat. I think our bodies are such a good indicator if we are eating right. I know I have eaten to much if I can’t move (happens with brownies haha), and if my tummy is a-rumblin’ I know I gotta eat more.
Only took me 20 years to figure that out!