4 meals - 6 or 8

[Sfla80]

Playing around a little with my diet right now. Trying new addition. Adding and subtracting some macros.

So yesterday I hit 2800 cals for the day in 3 meals plus my post work out shake.

I have heard mixed things throughout the years on this site. And since I haven't seen any of the old vets here since I've been back I'm curious on what u guys think.

Keep in mind yesterday I had two lean beef courses so obviously it would change if I stuck to chicken and fish.

[JohnnnyBlazzze]

I'm confused... What's your question?

[GluteStriations]

If you're asking about how many meals we recommend, I personally eat 6. That's not including my shake/banana as a meal. Have always done it that way and don't know any different.

[bikeral]

I hear back and forth on this as well. Personally I am in 5-6 meal a day range. However my main concern is to hit my calories and macros for the day. On weekends I sometimes have a big breakfast that combines the calories and macros for 2 meals. Really do not think it makes a difference. That being said I believe most guys here recommend keeping the carbs to 3 meals a day -- Meal 1, pre workout, post workout.

[austinite]

I think he wants to know how many meals should he take to hit his macros.

OP, I wouldnt worry too much about the number of meals, just try not to cram everything into 2 or 3 meals. The more often the better of course. Keep feeding.

[JohnnnyBlazzze]

Oh ok, thanks for the clarification!

IMO, as long as you hit your daily macros it shouldn't matter how many meals you have. Focus more on a clean diet and hitting your macros more then the frequency of your meals!

[Sfla80]

I think he wants to know how many meals should he take to hit his macros.

OP, I wouldnt worry too much about the number of meals, just try not to cram everything into 2 or 3 meals. The more often the better of course. Keep feeding.

This sorry bout the confusion.

And yeah I usually eat 5-6 plus a post workout shake. But since I have two beef/carb meals I hit macros very quickly.

Was honestly just picking everyone's head for thoughts on this.

[Dukkit]

It doesnt matter.

Just get your macros in.

I eat when hungry.

Some days thats twice.

Some days thats 10 times.

Long as I get my macros in my body does what I want.

[SEOINAGE]

Many years ago I thought you had to get more meals in, but i'm glad the generally accepted trend has shifted away from that. Still tons of people swear you have to do that, kind of annoying in that cause, people thinking you absolutely have to do something like this or you get no results. It turned out that for me max 4 meals is all I needed. My schedule has me usually 3 meals plus a shake on lifting days, but problem is lunch is early and dinner I have to eat right after work or I'm starving, but lately I haven't been able to eat till much later, so I am going to try and get back into the 4 meals if I am not too busy at work I should be able to eat a second "lunch" so that my training and evenings are improved.

Thing is like people said get your macros, and do it in such a way that it works for you.

[TopDogg]

Yes, but getting all your macros in 1-2 meals so that you can starve yourself throughout the day isnt good either...

[SEOINAGE]

Yes, but getting all your macros in 1-2 meals so that you can starve yourself throughout the day isnt good either...

Some people have managed to have success with this.

[MickeyKnox]

It doesnt matter.

Just get your macros in.

I eat when hungry.

Some days thats twice.

Some days thats 10 times.

Long as I get my macros in my body does what I want.

^^ this

[Lazarov]

The 5-6 small meals a day thing is an unfortunate myth that wastes a lot of people's time and energy.
The human body isn't like a car, pouring an immediate source of energy into it which will stop working if you don't refill often.
If your meal is a combination of proteins, fats and carbs, your body will be supplied with a steady source of nutrition and energy for the next 5-6 hours.
So I eat three meals a day, and my life is once again enjoyable (because I used to do the 5-6 meals too).
I eat at 8am, 1pm, and 6pm.
Train at 9:30am-10:30am

Clear your mind and just think if it's necessary and logical to pack more and more food onto undigested food in your stomach.

[TopDogg]

Lazarov what's your 3 meals consist of?

[MickeyKnox]

im with Dukkit on this one. if i eat at 8am, im hungry by 10. and by 11:30, if i dont' eat at 10, im starving. so, i eat when im hungry but i eat clean and usually hit my macros.

[fatman225]

Some people have managed to have success with this.

Yep. I'm a huge advocate of Intermittent Fasting. Obviously because I'm one of those who has had success with it.

I'm not going to say its the only way, but for me the reason it works is compliance.

I can be hungry all day so long as I have light at the end of it. I need to FEEL full at some point.

Often I eat just one time per day.

[< <Samson> >]

It is really about what works for you.

On one of my cuts I had a minimum of 6 meals per day, had amazing results.


This time around I eat a minimum of 4 meals per day. I have lost over 35 pounds of garbage in 2 and a half months.


So, you really have to follow on what works. . . If it didn't work this time with just 4 meals per day I would have kicked it to 6 again.

[Lazarov]

Each meal consists of good amounts of all three macros. Morning would be something like oatmeal, milk, banana, whey protein and eggs. Lunch chicken, rice, coconut oil. Dinner meat and LOTS of vegetables (more fibrous carbs for night time).

[Lazarov]

Jesus christ guys, how do you delete posts? I feel like such a newb right now. The reply above was to TopDogg.

[baseline_9]

It doesnt matter.

Just get your macros in.

I eat when hungry.

Some days thats twice.

Some days thats 10 times.

Long as I get my macros in my body does what I want.

Simple ^^^