What's worse? Being under calories or tapping a Metrx bar?

[toojax]

I've been on a cutting diet and originally I was probably eating too few calories. Figured out my TDEE and started locking down the diet. Lean protein, brown rice, oatmeal, veggies, etc. Problem is sometimes I was too busy to eat 6 times. I'm on a 500 calorie a day deficit and if I miss a maeal or two when I get busy at work I can be 800 or more below in a day. Is it better to eat 1/3 of a Metrx bar for 100 calories, 10 g protein, 7 grams carbs or just go without?

[slfmade]

Maybe take a look into "IF" Dieting. Just a suggestion...I like it a lot better and it's much easier to stay on schedule.

[slfmade]

You could also make a healthy snack that you take to work with you everyday. It's pretty easy to make your own protein bars!

[gbrice75]

I don't think it's a matter of what's worse, I think it just comes down to the choice:

a) feed your body with subpar food that contains a ton of shit you can't even pronounce

b) under eat here and there

On a cutting diet, B would be my easy choice.

[V-ROID]

I have been on IF for 5 months now, cutting for last 2 months. Some days I go WAY under calories. I have caught myself eating only lunch, then remembering just before my window is up and eating to catch up. It also depends on your workout/rest schedule. On paper everything LOOKS fine, but as you progress it is easier to go on FEEL in certain situations. I mean some days I have has 1000 calorie deficit and still felt great, no weakness, no hunger. And some days you KNOW your body NEEDS a bit more to optimally respond. Personally I like to keep a closer eye on my macro ratios than a couple hundred cals one way or the other...

[JohnnyVegas]

I will eat a protein bar on occasion. Usually when I get stuck away from my food (out seeing clients) and I am a few meals behind. My reasoning: when cutting I want to make sure I keep protein consumption up even it if means not getting my macros perfect or ingesting some food scientist hoodoo voodoo. I lose size when I don't eat enough protein.

[gbrice75]

when cutting I want to make sure I keep protein consumption up even it if means not getting my macros perfect or ingesting some food scientist hoodoo voodoo. I lose size when I don't eat enough protein.

Not in one day you don't. When the OP said "sometimes", i'm assuming it's the exception and not the norm, i.e. it doesn't happen often. If it's a frequent occurrence, then i'd look at a permanent fix/diet revamp vs. relying heavily on protein bars.

[slfmade]

It shouldn't be that hard. Just keep something on hand. Make yourself a big batch of beef jerky and buy some rice cakes. Keep them in your car, laptop bag, whatever. This way if you ever need it you're g2g.

[Armykid93]

I keep jerky or almonds on me all the time.

[JohnnyVegas]

Not in one day you don't. When the OP said "sometimes", i'm assuming it's the exception and not the norm, i.e. it doesn't happen often. If it's a frequent occurrence, then i'd look at a permanent fix/diet revamp vs. relying heavily on protein bars.

I will keep that in mind!

I keep jerky or almonds on me all the time.

...and this.

It shouldn't be that hard. Just keep something on hand. Make yourself a big batch of beef jerky and buy some rice cakes. Keep them in your car, laptop bag, whatever. This way if you ever need it you're g2g.

...and this. Heh.