Timing of Meals?

[rnrjay]

I have started back on Cohen's today after an extremely stressful few weeks and have a question - at present I am on holiday and am finding that I am not waking up until about 9.30 - how does this work with meals and snacks as this is what I worked out:

10 am breakfast
12.30 - snack
3 pm - lunch
5.30 - snack
8 pm - dinner
10.30 pm - snack

these times are a bit worrying due to dinner not being until pm - also this morning I didn't eat my breakfast until 10.30 which means the meals/snacks get thrown out by another 1/2 hr. Have I got the time frames right?

When I go back to work next week it is different again but will work much better with the time frames

Thanks

[C-JAYE]

Hi Rachel, you need to leave 5 hours between main meals and 2.5 hours between crackers, and I believe no crackers after 9pm! Lucky you to be sleeping in! If I am having a late start on the weekends I get up and have a yoghurt and go back to bed!

Enjoy the hols!

[missparker]

My consultant actually said that it doesn't matter how late you eat but it has be at least two hours before you go to bed.... if that helps in anyway!

[mcpsych]

i think this thread by asy explains it
http://newyouforum.com/forum/showpos...92&postcount=2

[carrieanne_c]

Yeah, I think it is because americans normally goto bad at 11 or 11 30pm just after the news-well that was before there was cable. so if your last meal was at 9 pm 2 hours later would be just in time to get into bed and fall asleep while the news is on.

[jlou]

To clarify, crackers an fruit are ok after 9pm and before bed - it is the protein meal that is the issue

[sammie]

Jlou that is very interesting, I thought that after the last thing you ate you had to wait 2 2.5hrs... So if I have an apple for dessert I have been waiting... awesome I can get to bed earlier on these cold nights now I know its actually after the protein (dinner).

[Never Give Up]

Yes, I thought it was any food, not just a meal... hope this is correct, 'cos I've missed out on snacks before - problem is, if you eat them early, there's nothing left to eat after dinner...frying pan or the fire...

[carrieanne_c]

i used to eat a stewed apple in bed and crash like a half hour after.

[ConnieK..]

Jlou - I was told you should not eat within 2 hours of sleep, it doesn't matter what - nothing within 2 hours of sleep. I am sure thatw as asked of Asy here at one point too - will search and see if I can find it. **edit - yep here it is

http://newyouforum.com/forum/showpos...88&postcount=4

It's ANYTHING.

No food at all in the 2 hours before bed. Water YES, food NO.

Unless you're for some silly reason eating really late, it's better to eat and then go to bed, than miss the meal. (yes, technically a deviation, but not as bad as missing the meal).

ConnieK

[Miss Optimistic]

OK, now I'm really confused!

So, definitely NO FOOD - ANY FOOD - 2 hours before beddy-byes.

And the question of snacks: No matter if its crackers or fruit - you must wait 2.5 hours before eating anything else - whether its another snack or your next meal. Is this right????

Miss O.

[ConnieK..]

So, definitely NO FOOD - ANY FOOD - 2 hours before beddy-byes

yes that's correct - well within 2 hours of sleep - if you are going to bed for something other than sleep you can grab a snack first

And the question of snacks: No matter if its crackers or fruit - you must wait 2.5 hours before eating anything else - whether its another snack or your next meal. Is this right???

No that's not right ... you need 2.5 hours between serves of crackers - and it is recommended you leave 2.5 hours between serves of fruit but you can eat fruit then crackers within 2.5 hours ... and you can eat crackers or fruit within 2.5 hours of a meal so you could go

meal with fruit - 1hr - crackers - 2 hours - fruit - 1hr - crackers - 1hr - meal - etc etc as you are leaving at least 2.5 hours between crackers and more crackers ... and 2.5 hours between fruit and more fruit.

Connie

[Miss Optimistic]

Connie says:
"yes that's correct - well within 2 hours of sleep - if you are going to bed for something other than sleep you can grab a snack first "

That sounds intriguing......... he,he!

Connie says:
"meal with fruit - 1hr - crackers - 2 hours - fruit - 1hr - crackers - 1hr - meal - etc etc as you are leaving at least 2.5 hours between crackers and more crackers ... and 2.5 hours between fruit and more fruit".

I'm sorry I still don't fully grasp the concept. Can someone please explain the reasoning or logic behind this above method. I understand the 5 hours is not to mix proteins - what does the other achieve? Anybody know? If I know what I'm meant to be achieving I may understand it better.

Sorry - I think the lack of carbs has seriously slowed down my brain - I'm not usually this thick

Thanks, Miss O.

[ConnieK..]

OK - the crackers first - The two crackers at a time is because your body does not recognise that small amountof carbs as carbs - so it doesn't start the fat factory. Crackers are easily digested but if you were to eat more than two in a 2.5 hour period your body will start storing everything as the fat factory will kick in. So must be 2.5 hrs between and no more than 2 at a time.

Fruit contains fructose = sugar. Your body is going to be sensitive to sugar because it's not getting much - a hit from fruit will cause a sugar rush of sorts and if you eat more than 1 piece you will almost definately be hungry about an hour after you eat them as your blood sugar will plummet thanks to the insulin produced by the fructose. When you eat food high in sugar (whether natural or processed) your body produces insulin to convert the sugar to glucose to be stored or used in movement. BUT - your body will almost always produce more than it needs in response to high sugar foods like fruit - so if you eat a lot of fruit = lot's of insulin and about 1 hour later your blood sugar plummets because the little insulin soldiers have done a fabulous job of storing all the sugar - and haven't left any for you to use.... and you get a rollercoater of hunger.

Does that help?

Connie

[Miss Optimistic]

Thanks Connie for going to the trouble of spelling it out for me - much appreciated!!!

Can I ask you something else that's been on my mind - bearing in mind that I'm only on day 5 and still very new to all this.

Even though I do it because Dr C says so, I'm struggling to understand why lettuce leave are so restricted - at times I would love a handful of lettuce with meals but I can't because of weight limitation on all veg. I understand other veg needs weighing - but lettuce/cucumber/celery - arent they just mainly water? I would love to know the reasoning behind this.

Many thanks, Miss O xx.

[Vixenthefox]

Hi Rachel,

I'm still new myself, but what I understand is that your 3 meals need to be 5 hours apart. Your crispbread allowance needs to be spaced out, making sure you only have 2 crispbreads at any given time, but there must be 2 1/2 hours between crispbreads. For example, if you have your first crispbread with breakfast, say at 9:30, then you can only have your next crispbread at 12pm. You are able to eat your crispbreads with you meals (1,2 or 3) or if you prefer, you can have them as a snack. Sorry if you already know all of this, I'm just trying to cover all bases! Also, you can eat your fruit with your meals or with your crispbreads or save them as another snack. SO - based on your waking time during your holiday, this is what I would do: Note, I have an allowance of 5 crispbreads daily.

10am - breakfast & 1 crispbread
12:30 - fruit
3pm - lunch & 2 crispbreads
8pm - dinner & 2 crispbreads
8.30 fruit

This spacing works well for me, but obviously everyone is different. I hope this has answered your question?

Wishing you all the best on your Cohen's journey, I look forward to watching your ticker slide all the way to your goal weight

Vic
xx

[mcpsych]

while all biological matter is mainly water, they also all contain various things which have a measurable caloric value. So- regardless of the vege, there is a total weight limit. Also some have higher caloric or other properties which make them unsuitable ( for example fenugreek mucks with the hormonal system ) . The foods given on your plan have been set as they have been tested by DrC and your specific plan is set to best give you the result you seek by working with your body.
I trust this helps
cheers
mark

[maroe]

my understanding is that the crackers are 2.5 hours between you can eat your meal straight after the crackers or with it you choice.
I find it hard to eat everything that we are suppose to eat some days its only 1 piece of fruit others its only 1 or 2 crackers. Ive been told that after day 10 its not necessary to eat all your snacks. I hope this is right.......

Margaret

[C-JAYE]

Originally Posted by Miss Optimistic

Even though I do it because Dr C says so, I'm struggling to understand why lettuce leave are so restricted - at times I would love a handful of lettuce with meals but I can't because of weight limitation on all veg.
Many thanks, Miss O xx.

Miss O - just a question - what restriction do you have on lettuce? I have green salad every day and 20 grams of lettuce leaves is almost a whole plate full.

[mcpsych]

Further- this is not weight watchers- there are no free foods and no free days
Yes there is an element of trust but look around,it works
you can always use your veg allowance as lettuce if you so choose but you are restricted to total weight and veg types