MEAL Timing Questions??

[Jamanoha]

I can't believe I haven't asked this question before and that I don't already know the answer.

So... because we have to eat every 5 hours, do you consider your next meal to be 5 hours from when you start eating your initial meal, or from when you finish it?
I have always had my second meal 5 hours after I have finished eating my first meal, because I may start eating it at 7am, but not be finished until 7:15, and I believe those extra 15 minutes may count.

Just curious about what others do, and what is considered to be the right way to do it.

Lisa

[sundaymorningstaple]

As it says "between" meals it would mean from the time you finished one meal till the time you start another.

[Annabelle Joy]

I agree with SMS. I have assumed that the idea is to have your previous meal completely digested and out of your stomach so as not to mix proteins, therefore, it's from the time you finish one meal until you start the next one. I did ask my consultant initially and she didn't seem too concerned, said time to eat was only five minutes, however, if you take longer I do think it matters.

AJ

[SuzieQ]

It never even crossed my mind......I'm so blonde . I just assumed 5 hours from when you start eating, lucky I found this out on day 2. I guess the portions are quite small so it usually only takes 5-10 mins anyway.

Suzie

[Nat]

Hi Lisa,

Yep, its 5 hours from the end of your last meal.

LOL I also add another 15 mins just to be on the safe side

Nat xx

[kimmy]

i stick to the 5 hour a part protein rule very religiously. in fact there are days where i clock in 6 hours between meals.

but i'm just wondering, if i eat the same type of protein for both my lunch and dinner, do i still need to keep the 5 hours?

is the 5 hours apart to digest the protein in the earlier meal or does the stomach take 5 hours to empty? what's the logic?

[Ronky]

Hi Kimmy. from what I have read its about the body taking 5 hours to process the protien which is why we can have crisp breads and fruit between meals. It doesnt matter what type of protien it is it takes 5 hours even if its the same protien 2 meals in a row.

[Annabelle Joy]

Kimmy, I remember reading at one time that our stomach typically empties out in about four hours after a meal. Hence, five hours to be sure. You should always leave the five hours if possible. However, if you have a real difficulty with that, e.g. didn't eat lunch until 5 pm and have to be up at 6 am, you can reduce the time to four hours if you have the same protein group for both meals.

AJ

[asy]

There's a MINIMUM of 5 hours between meals, not EXACTLY 5 hours...

So 6 hours is fine. You might be hungry, but OK according to the programme.

asy.

[sundaymorningstaple]

I was usually lucky to have only 5 or 6 hours between meals. For me it was usually 6 to 7 between brekkies and Lunch and 7 to 8 hours between Lunch and Dinner. It was easy to avoid the 2.5 CB restriction as it was usually a minimum of 3 hours between snacks/meals for me. Breakfast was always 6:30am, lunch could be anywhere from 12:30 to 13:30 and dinner usually between 20:30 and 21:00 with bedtime around 1:00am

[waydon64]

Hi
Have just started the program and was wanting to know does the 5.5 hours between meals, start when you sit down to a meal or when you finish, I know this might sound like a silly question but it has been bugging me all day
Donna

[new_ruby]

HI
Theplan states 5 hrs minimum, between finishing one meal & before starting the next... E.g. You finish eating your lunch at 2.05pm; the earliest you may start dinner is 7.05pm.
But I have also been told that the longer you wait, the better (so long as it's not a longer gap than 7 hours, as suggested by Dr. Cohen).

Hope this helps,
Ruby

[asy]

Originally Posted by new_ruby

HI
But I have also been told that the longer you wait, the better (so long as it's not a longer gap than 7 hours, as suggested by Dr. Cohen).

Hiya Ruby,

That's not "necessarily" the case, be careful that you aren't getting too hungry. You shouldn't ever be really 'starving' on the programme (until you're right near refeed). If going longer than 5 hours is getting you really pit-of-the-stomach hungry, eat as soon as the 5 hours passes.

Of course, if it works for you, it's certainly OK to do, but just try not to let your body go into 'starvation' mode from waiting too long between meals.

asy

[waydon64]

Thank you so much girls, thank you for getting back to me so quick I appreciate it and I just love this forum, just starting out but so far its great
Donna

[Ronky]

Hi All,

My program is at home and Im not!!! Im trying to plan my night and cant remember what the time rule is. Is it min of 5 hours max of 7?

I have a cake decorating class tonight. Crazy I know as Im trying to lose weight not learn how to make good looking cakes. At least I know how much work goes into them so I am happy to just look at it for a few months. anyway Im trying to work out if I take something with me or I wait until I get home.

Thanks in advance.

Ronky

[shell]

5 hours between main meals.

[Ronky]

Thanks shell. Do you know the maximum time between meals?

cheers

[shell]

No sorry I don't.

[Mette]

They say you shouldn't go more than 7, but if you're running late, you must still have your meal. I think the principle is to not make yourself too hungry because then the meal won't satisfy you...

[asy]

Maximum is 7 hours, BUT, if, for some reason you go over 7, you must still have your meal, so, I guess, it's "Preferred" that you not go over 7.

asy