3 meals a day? .... the struggle

[Richellesb]

So, I just started the Whole30 last week. I did it to heal, I did it to see if I could.

 

The program says 3 distinct meals a day. This is very hard form me. I am used to

Breakfast, snack, Lunch, snack, Dinner.

 

Will I be harming my results, if I do not eat just three meals? I am trying to increase the size of my meals, increase the good fat so that I am satiated.

 

suggestions?

[MeadowLily]

Eliminate the snacks and you should have no problem eating three meals aday. I'm helping a grazer do the very same thing. 

 

 

http://whole30.com/2016/04/how-many-meals/

 

"You can complete a Whole30 while doing a lot of things we recommend you not do. You would seriously undermine the value of spending 30 days eating Whole30-compliant foods if you snack on fruit all day long. 

 

The best way to get your hormonal rhythms where they need to be is to eat a substantial breakfast of protein, fat, and veggies within one hour of waking in the morning and then eating two more meals that are spaced 4-6 hours apart. If you snack all day long, you will undermine your hormonal adjustments.

 

It is okay to snack if you are hungry, but snacks should be temporary, until you get the hang of eating enough at each meal to be satisfied until your next meal. You should not eat because you are bored, because you have a habit of eating, or because you like to eat so much that you want to eat all day. An important part of the Whole30 is establishing a healthy relationship with food. Eating fruit all day is not a healthy relationship with food."

 

[Karen_Suep]

A common piece of advice is to make a template meal, eat as much as you can, and what you can't eat, set aside until you can eat it again (not waiting for hunger). Eventually you'll be able to eat an entire meal at once and not needing to Split it up. I hope that makes sense.

[Tom Denham]

Part of what you must learn to be successful is composing meals appropriately. When you snack, you are not composing meals appropriately. It is okay to eat something as a temporary measure, but maintaining the schedule you are accustomed to will remove an important component of the program. 

 

If you cannot make it on 3 meals per day, plan to eat 4. If you are awake long hours, you might need to eat 5 meals. But don't eat snacks. Eat real meals 4-5 hours apart. 

 

How much to eat

http://whole30.com/downloads/whole30-meal-planning.pdf

[allisonmdowell]

It gets easier!! I found myself looking at my food log and thinking oh wow I'm snacking too much. On weekends it was easy to stick to three meals so why not on weekdays? Because at work I found myself sedentary and looking to snack. As you bulk up your meals your snacks almost become a part of a bigger meal. I'm on day 14 and my meals are enough to hold me over till the next one. I don't "snack" at all but I have a pre workout or post workout if need be! I think once your body adjusts to the new food you're eating and with adding healthy fats and more veggies and protein you will realize you have no reason to snack. At first it is a struggle though I do agree, just get over that hump and you'll do great.