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Meal spreading

Fear

Fear

New member
Eating smaller meals more often speeds up your metabolism, as opposed to the old fashioned 'three square meals a day.' I've heard that the optimal amount of meals throughout the day is between 5 -7, but lately I've been hearing that in order to bulk with maximum benefits, it is best to eat as many small meals possible all the time, possibly every hour. I've been trying this for a week and can't really tell if it's working yet, but I can put on fat pretty easily so I'm a bit wary of the concept... any input on this would be much appreciated.

In other words, if it was possible to hook up a tube that would constantly feed our bodies all the time with the necessary nutrients to grow, would that be beneficial? or is the classic 5-7 meals the best way to go.
 
Your body can use nutrients better at frequent feedings. 3 meals a day just isn't the way to go when trying to be in a positive nitrogen balance.
 
I also put weight on very easily. This is what I've found works best for me:

Start with this:

- 8 meals a day, 2 hours apart and all EXACTLY the same number of calories. I eat 400 calories per meal, reaching 3200 calories a day. This may seem like a lot for a 195 lb guy, but it puts weight on my VERY slowly and its almost a recomp diet. I've noticed that if I combine two meals, but still leave it at 3200 calories a day, I gain slightly more fat than if I dont combine them and leave them exactly 2 hours apart. (maybe its mental or a water weight thing, but thats what Ive noticed). It does seem that if I eat 3200 calories in fewer meals during the day, (with several combined) I put on slightly more fat than I would otherwise. It definitely keeps my metabolism pumped up.

People at work are surprised that I can eat so much, and constantly. Also, since its such a regular schedule, its very easy to maintain... since I am eating pretty much constantly. It also got my stomach used to eating very small meals, which is also good for keeping my weight under control.
 
Rick28 said:
Your body can use nutrients better at frequent feedings. 3 meals a day just isn't the way to go when trying to be in a positive nitrogen balance.
Click to expand...

Right, I understand this, but my question is whether eating even more than the recommended 5-7 meals (while retaining the same amount of calories) is beneficial.
 
Fear said:
Right, I understand this, but my question is whether eating even more than the recommended 5-7 meals (while retaining the same amount of calories) is beneficial.
Click to expand...

as with everything there isn't a forever increasing benefit as you increase # of meals ohterwise you could go on forever.

I'd say 5-7 is the standard and it works well. If you want to add more, wake up and drink a protein shake.

the stomach empties every 2 hours, and the process is complicated to say the least. if you have protein carbs and fats it empties slower, so if you're eating all 3 macros and eating every 1 hour, I don't know how much benefit it will be to you.

There used to be this popular diet where they did carbs only at certain meals, then protein + fats. Perhaps with that kind of diet you can take advantage of high # of meals since you'll actually be able to empty from stomach -> intestine faster.

ohterwise i'd just focus on getting 5-7 a day, and then adding the night time if you must. because getting 5-7 day is harder than you can imagine already!
 
I only get in say 3/4 sometimes 5 meals a day. Depending on what i'm working. I'll take stuff to work with me though. If i don't have time to stop and eat i'll always be throwing back the pints of milk :)

On my days off from work and the gym, which are pretty rare (got one next week) my food intake is pretty awesome, hit all the targets and get the cals in!:hot:
 
Eat every 2.5 hours. If you cant eat something then have a protein shake. If you cant have a protein shake drink whole milk. This is an easy way to make life easier.
 
I don't religiously eat every 2-3 hours. I pretty much eat when I'm hungry,stop when I'm full and then eat when I am hungry again. Which is usually 3 hours depending on how big my meal was.
 
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