Confuse Should We Snack Or Not Snack In Between The Three Hour Period?

[Ms.Rosie 1]

I'm almost four weeks out and I'm confuse should we snack in between the three hour window or not?? Also how much exactly are you guys having for a meal??? cause my doc gave me some examples of the meals and I really can get everything in at the same time thats why I eat the rest like a snack hope you guys can help:)

[Threetimesacharm 1,400]

I eat 5-6 small meals a day. Normally I have 2 ounces of solid Protein at a meal. Occassionally 3 ounces. So it is not snacking but an actual planned meal every 3 hours. I am just over 7 weeks out.

[Fiddleman 4,376]

I'm almost four weeks out and I'm confuse should we snack in between the three hour window or not?? Also how much exactly are you guys having for a meal??? cause my doc gave me some examples of the meals and I really can get everything in at the same time thats why I eat the rest like a snack hope you guys can help:)

I would say try and not snack with the 3 hour window. That is also called grazing and could lead to less than desirable results. While I am further out than you, I still get hungry at times at the 2nd hour. I have to fight it briefly and then it goes away. Key is to get busy and not sit there and think about how hungry you are. Drinking Water might also help to stick to scheduled eating. I drink a lot of Water in between eating every 3 hours. Calories are still between 600-900 even though I am eating all day long. Key is to keep the calories down per email, like around 150 max. A good 3 oz piece of Protein should not be more than 120 calories if it is pure. Also eat some veggies if you have room, but keep them soft since you are not very far out. This advice is certainly not the letter of the law. Talk to others on this forum, talk to your NUT, do what is comfortable, etc. good luck.

[ArtSong 291]

I eat 5-6 small meals a day. Normally I have 2 ounces of solid Protein at a meal. Occassionally 3 ounces. So it is not snacking but an actual planned meal every 3 hours. I am just over 7 weeks out.

I'm the same way 5 weeks out about 2 maybe 3 oz is all I can eat at one time. I still eat a lot of Soups chilli mash potatoes and chopped realy good turkey or chicken. I'm a 6 times a day eater

[Ms.Rosie 1]

Ok sounds like it should just be 5-6 meals a day thanks you all:)

[Ms.Rosie 1]

Another quick questions so a Protein Shake would be consider a meal??

[Fiddleman 4,376]

Another quick questions so a Protein shake would be consider a meal??

Yes, absolutely. If you think about each small meal as being 100-150 calories, then a Protein Shake will work fine as a meal. I always recommend people use a high quality Protein that is extended release in order to prevent hunger in between meals. The regular whey protein usually only gives me energy for 1-2 hours where extended release gives me 3-5 hours of energy.

[delta_girl 931]

I usually do

Meal 1 - 7:30 - Protein shake

Meal 2 - 12:30 - Protein Shake or tuna or cottage cheese (only one)

Meal 3 - 4:00 - Yogurt or Jello pudding with unflavored Protein powder, sometimes I also have a 15 calorie sugar free popsicle

Meal 4 - 6:30 ish - pureed baby food veggies or tuna with cottage cheese mixed in and I sometimes add in a few crackers

Meal 5 - 8:00 ish - Fat free pudding

[Ms.Rosie 1]

Ok thanks this really helps:)

[cherrybombknits 184]

I'm not familiar with the 3-hour thing. I eat 2.5-3 oz when I am hungry (usually 3-4 times a day). One of my big challenges pre-op was making sure I ate when I was only hungry instead of waiting until I was ravenous. Then I would binge, no good.

[Fiddleman 4,376]

I'm not familiar with the 3-hour thing. I eat 2.5-3 oz when I am hungry (usually 3-4 times a day). One of my big challenges pre-op was making sure I ate when I was only hungry instead of waiting until I was ravenous. Then I would binge' date=' no good.[/quote']

The 3 hour plan, if you want to call it that, is important in order to feed the metabolism consistently throughout the day. The insulin response to such small meals is a relatively flat line. You are not up in the clouds or down in the ground with energy. Your emotions also stabilize and, n my personal experience, gain a much healthier outlook on life and the world around you. I would recommend this type of eating to anyone that wants to kick start their weight loss or control hunger. 3 hours is just about the right amount in order to satisfy all these goals.

[delta_girl 931]

The 3 hour plan, if you want to call it that, is important in order to feed the metabolism consistently throughout the day. The insulin response to such small meals is a relatively flat line. You are not up in the clouds or down in the ground with energy. Your emotions also stabilize and, n my personal experience, gain a much healthier outlook on life and the world around you. I would recommend this type of eating to anyone that wants to kick start their weight loss or control hunger. 3 hours is just about the right amount in order to satisfy all these goals.

I completely agree that this is a very sound and healthy approach. My schedule and work travel make things a bit crazy, so my timing is always off, but I no longer have one or two times a day when I pig out as I did before.

[Butterthebean 8,146]

The 3 hour plan' date=' if you want to call it that, is important in order to feed the metabolism consistently throughout the day. The insulin response to such small meals is a relatively flat line. You are not up in the clouds or down in the ground with energy. Your emotions also stabilize and, n my personal experience, gain a much healthier outlook on life and the world around you. I would recommend this type of eating to anyone that wants to kick start their weight loss or control hunger. 3 hours is just about the right amount in order to satisfy all these goals.[/quote']

It's is my approach as well. It works. I've lost 142 pounds in less than 6 months. The key with this approach is you do not let yourself get overly hungry or overly full. I eat a little Protein every 3 hours. I measure my food and I'm careful not to get "full", the goal is just to be "not hungry". Not an easy trick, by the way. I've never been very attuned to my satiety signals, and I'm sure plenty of overweight people are in the same boat.

[doxieville 799]

I agree w the 3 hour eating plan. I am 10 weeks out. I always drink a Protein shake at 5 am when I wake to feed the dogs. Then at 8 i'll eat 2 oz Protein. Then around 12 i'll have more protein and something else 'fun' like half of a wonton muffin. Then a Protein Shake at 3:00, more protein for dinner. And sometimes a treat of fat free hot choc around 7:30. I also always have Crystal light throughout the day, I can't drink Water yet.

I don't keep a timetable on purpose, it's my tummy who reminds me it's time to fill 'er up again.

[doxieville 799]

I'm not familiar with the 3-hour thing. I eat 2.5-3 oz when I am hungry (usually 3-4 times a day). One of my big challenges pre-op was making sure I ate when I was only hungry instead of waiting until I was ravenous. Then I would binge' date=' no good.[/quote']

I used to starve all day and pig out all nite. I really thought that wld still be a prob that i'd need to work on, but to my immense relief it really isn't. It's easy to eat every 3 hours.