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We've all heard that it's better to eat 5-6 smaller meals per day than 3 big ones and the reasons why (faster metabolism, appetite control, prevention of muscle loss, etc.). And even though it's a lot of work, I've done this and gotten great results. But lately, I've been drinking green tea because of its antioxidants and supposed metabolism-boosting effect. One other benefit I've noticed from it as that it suppresses my appetite, which I'm sure is a big reason why it's recommended for weight loss. But my problem is that I'm no longer hungry when it's time to eat my next meal. I know it's bad to leave long gaps between meals, but I also think it's bad to eat when you're not hungry. After all, isn't that one reason so many people are overweight? The green tea has been so effective that I can eat breakfast at 7 and not be hungry until 12, even 1 on some days. My breakfast is healthy, but not large. I eat 2 scrambled eggs with some veggies mixed in along with a bowl of berries mixed with nuts. So not the kind of breakfast that would make me feel stuffed or want to take a nap. Which is better? To only eat when I'm hungry, even if I don't get hungry for 5 or 6 hours OR to eat every 3-4 hours, even if I'm not hungry.
I'd say that's a pretty big breakfast that probably should keep you from being hungry until at least Noon regardless of the green tea.
I agree with you that it's counter-productive to eat when you're not at all hungry, although to me, the point of eating more frequently is to keep from becoming "very" hungry, which leads to over-eating.
If green tea keeps you from being hungry enough to eat 5-6 times a day, cut back to 4 times a day and lengthen the span between meals. Just don't allow yourself to wait between meals long enough to become really hungry. Once you start to feel hungry, eat something.
Location: Moved to town. Miss 'my' woods and critters.
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I like the idea of a 4 -5-6 small meals a day. Your breakfast is about what 2 meals would be for me. I like to eat a small serving of fruit for those 'in between' meals. This keeps me from getting 'very' hungry as Intown has posted but keeps me satisfied. Plus I know the fruit is good for me. Took me a long time to learn this enough to actually put it in practice. Good luck to you. Try the 4 small meals. Just might be what you're looking for.
I eat 3 meals a day and have a snack after exercise....eating 5 or 6 times a day would be a pain. I don't want to think about food or preparing something to eat all the tine. I eat a hearty breakfast (oatmeal, nuts and seeds, almond milk and a whole grapefruit), a hearty lunch (our main meal) and a green smoothie for dinner.....I have lost all the weight and then some and have kept every ounce off for over 6 months.
I eat tons of vegetables...I love them and they make me feel full.....so along with lean protein and some fruit (not too much), some grains (not too much), I eat at least 10 servings of vegetables a day....mostly raw. I eat as few processed foods as possible. No sugar, little bread, no added oil or fat, just what is naturally contained in whole foods.
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