Meal Portions and Frequency

[Ariane]

I know you're supposed to eat until you're "full" or enough to hang you over till your next meal, but what is that max amount of time that should lapsed from one meal to the next?  Sometimes I don't go hungry for about 6 hours and I'm wondering if I'm eating too much at one meal?  Is this bad?  Also, is it expected to be constipated in the beginning?  I figured since my vegetable intake is increased, I wouldn't be constipated but I kind of am.  (P.S.  Sorry if that was TMI.)

[ladyshanny]

You would want to be eating every 4-5 hours.

However.............if this is not that different for you from your normal way of eating, 6 hours is pretty reasonable. I generally go 6 hours between first and second meal and 5.5 hours between second and third. Easily.

On the other hand, if this is a huge departure from what you're used to and you are struggling to eat breakfast and then aren't hungry for 6 hours, I would say your signals are out of whack and you need to stick to an eating schedule that includes at least the minimum template every 4-5 hours.

[ShannonM816]

For the constipation, be sure you're drinking enough water -- aim for 1/2 oz per pound of body weight, so a 120 lb person needs at least 60 oz.

Some people find magnesium helps -- you can find compliant magnesium supplements fairly easily, I know that the unflavored version of Natural Calm is compliant, but any compliant version is fine. Many people find it helps them to sleep, so you might try taking it before bed, and whatever version you try, don't go straight to the maximum dose, work your way up.

Also be sure you don't skimp on the fats -- add some in addition to what you cook with.

[saraip]

@Ariane I have the same problem, I'm now on Day 26 and still trying to figure it out   Sometimes I feel like I'm doing it wrong but...it could be that everyone is different and each day our appetite varies as well.

I've had days where I wasn't hungry for 7 hours but still I ate dinner...and yesterday morning, I ate the same portion as today but I felt so stuffed yesterday and still HUNGRY today!

I just try and listen to my body...more so now than ever before I've never enjoyed my food more in life and all my clothes are fitting so well!!

Good luck with your journey!