Weight Loss Secrets: One Reader Says "Eating Around the Clock" Was the Key to Zapping Fat

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  Posted by FallingSpider Thu May 14, 2009 4:06pm PDT

  I've heard this before and it makes a lot of sense to me. It also works well with what I've been doing, namely eating untill I'm confortably full rather then stuffed. That cuts down on calorie intake but you still feel good when your done. This also goes along with controlling portion size.

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  Posted by Sandra Fri May 15, 2009 2:05pm PDT

  It make a lot of sense to me! But, what kind of food?

  Or everything is OK

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  Posted by Mindy Wed May 20, 2009 6:37am PDT

  It's like a hobbit. I love it!

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  Posted by blah blah19 Wed May 20, 2009 6:56am PDT

  only one girl said that!! i wonder what she looks like lol

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  Posted by A Fri May 22, 2009 11:55am PDT

  I started eating 5-6 mini-meals a day after reading about it in "Eat Clean Diet " by Tosca Reno.

  The key part to eating often is keep the meals small, as in 150-400 calories each (with breakfast or lunch having the most calories), so it's almost like constant grazing.

  The payoff? 1) You're rarely hungry, so 2) your metabolism and blood sugar don't do sudden drops so 3) it won't mess with your focus and concentration. 3) There's also less of a tendency to overeat from hunger. 4) You get to eat every 3 hours, yay!!!

  The downside? 1) The preparation. I admit, it wasn't easy at first to first figure out 5-6 mini-meals that fit in the caloric range, but after about a couple of weeks, I got it down pat. 2) It works best if you understand the concept of eating nutritionally, i.e. eating protein with carbs 3) Since you eat every 3 hours, so you really have to be aware of when you're supposed to eat.

  Here is an example of a typical day for me:

  Breakfast - 7:30 am

  .5 cup oatmeal

  .5 tsp Splenda brown sugar

  1 cup non-fat milk

  1 banana

  Calories: 349

  A.M. Snack - 10:30 am

  1 Pink Lady Apple

  1.5 tbs Smart Balance Omega Creamy Natural Peanut Butter

  Calories: 230

  Lunch Option #1:

  2 slices toast

  2 fresh egg whites

  1 Kraft 2% American cheese slice

  OR

  Lunch Option #2:

  3 oz Sole, broiled

  .5 cup brown rice

  1 servings steamed mixed vegetables

  Afternoon Snack Option #1:

  1 slice whole-grain toast

  4 oz Knudsen Non-Fat Cottage Cheese

  OR

  Afternoon Snack Option #2:

  .5 Clif Bar

  Dinner: (this varies day to day)

  1 serving protein

  1 serving carbohydrates

  2+ servings vegetables

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  Posted by LuvYa Sat May 23, 2009 8:18pm PDT

  I'm going to try it. I tried losing weight by not eating certain foods and skipping meals and I didn't lose what I wanted to. It seems reasonable and logical. I wont be hungry so often if I eat more smaller meals during the day. thanks.

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  Posted by Rebekah Tue May 26, 2009 12:04pm PDT

  I did something like this in college and, combined with exercise, it worked like a charm. Then I let life get in the way, stopped exercising, and started eating pizza like it would escape if I didn't wolf it down fast enough (Pizza is truly a frenemy).

  I've tried a few different things since then, and no dice, so I'm trying to get back on this diet. Kind of hard with my new job (no time for second breakfast most days), but we'll see how it goes. One tip is that nuts are a great afternoon snack--they pack in a punch of protien and seem to be helping me keep my energy stable, which is a big problem for me (some afternoons its all I can do to keep my eyes open), though it can be hard to find unsalted nuts. Almonds are a good source of healhty fats, as well.

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  Posted by Tina Marie Wed May 27, 2009 7:27am PDT

  This is like the Glyemic Index diet- close to what diabetics follow- and the key is to eat HEALTHY six meals a day each paired with protein -- mornings are whole grains with proteins (think oatmeal & egg whites)

  - fruit & keifer/yogurt in protein shake

  - natural flax based peanut butter & whole wheat crackers or apples

  - romaine lettuce & tuna fish & cucumbers

  - spinach & chicken breast & tomatoes & whole wheat pita croutons (low fat, baked, and small amount)

  - egg white omelete with unlimited vegetables

  all oils are EFO essential fatty oils (canola, flax, olive, grapeseed, etc) and used in limited amounts-- and all meats are lean (turkey breast, chicken breast, flank steak, round steak, and all grains are whole grains (steel cut oats, bulgar, wheat, barley, quinoa,) fruits are limited and the lowest sugar kind and kept to morning with a whole grain carb and none after 12pm adn veggies are unlimited pretty much except corn & potatoes... which aren't allowed.

  once you eat this way- and keep your blood sugar constant and insulin constant and the low calories 5-6 meals do not exceed your BMR -200-500 kcals a day-- you WILL lose weight! It's clean eating for body builders and diabetics adn YES -- it works especially if you are doing strength training and cardio...

  You WILL blast FAT OFF & KEEP MUSCLE ON!

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  Posted by Holly Tue Jun 16, 2009 12:00am PDT

  I can barely manage to squeeze in 2 meals a day in my busy ever changing schuedle which is required for the job I do. I have often wanted to try this mini meal plan but can never seem to find a way to make even 3 meals everyday happen.

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  Posted by mar_08 Tue Jun 16, 2009 11:55am PDT

  I tried this eating plan three years ago and for the first time in decades have I been successful in dropping weight and keeping it off. Tried fad diets a long time ago, which don't work because they either are unbalanced or too low in calories to sustain health (<1200 per day for females; <1500 for males). Of course, I also try to make sure I exercise at least 5 times per week.

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