FOOD & WINE DISCUSSION
Simona
POSTED: Fri, 05/29/2009 - 6:48pm
Three Meals a Day with no Snacks??
Hello All I am in Australia (which is about as far away from France and French culture as you can get!) and come from Italian parents, so my upbringing was always more European than Australian. The Italians and French have a lot in common in the way they approach food/eating/drinking etc. A bit like Mireille I guess I fell off the wagon with growing up in Australia and adopting the more Australian/American style of eating that my traditional Italian ways. Now as an adult, I see where I went wrong and try to correct it as much as possible and apply my French/Italian style of eating as much as I can. My only issue with what Mireille advocates is 3 meals/day. In Australia - we have 'morning tea' at 10 am and 'afternoon tea' at about 3 pm - much like the British. Unfortunately it isn't just having tea! It is more like a mini meal. Having grown accustomed to this way of eating my whole life (at school we had morning an afternoon tea breaks and now in the workplace, we do as well) I find it hard not to expect to eat something at 10 am and 3 pm. I have tried to eat more at breakfast and lunch in the hope that I don't get that gnawing hunger feeling mid morning/afternoon but nothing seems to work. It seems in Mireille's books that she is very strong about 3 meals/day - but I can't seem to do it! Does anyone else have this problem? And does yoghurt really satisfy this snack urge?MIREILLE'S CALENDAR
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newkid54
POSTED: Fri, 10/21/2011 - 11:49am
Four smaller meals
I am of French Canadian decent. Having been in the American Southwest for many years, I too have this same problem....try staying to 3 meals a day with American and Mexican food constantly in the air! Simona, what as started working for me is 4 smaller meals. I can actually say my late afternoon meal is more of tea. I have a glass of iced tea and a cracker with cheese or a small piece of fruit with yogurt. Also, I serve many more veggies during meals. It keeps the calories done and fills me up. Hope this helps.AngelaR
POSTED: Mon, 07/18/2011 - 6:20pm
Good
I'm generally pretty good about sticking to the three meals a day rule, but sometimes I slip. Usually its work stress related or "female time of the month" related. But I think one of the keys is drinking lots of water trhoughout the day. It really does feel you up.Editor
POSTED: Tue, 05/24/2011 - 6:30am
Terms of Service Reminder
As a reminder, our message boards are intended as a forum where we can all inspire and help each other. Per our Terms of Service, they are not to be used as a platform to sell your products or services.Naja
POSTED: Mon, 02/14/2011 - 5:43am
"Eat what you love, love what you eat!" by Michelle May, MD.
This is the title of one of the greatest books I've read on the subject of naturally thin people so far!!!! I recommend it with all my heart! Don't go through it superficially, read it slowly and incorporate EVERYTHING into your life! I already feel the difference and I haven't even reached half the pages yet!!!snorklee
POSTED: Tue, 05/17/2011 - 6:13am
Hi Naja
I'll definitely pick up "Eat what you love..." I've heard of this book before. I also re-read Mireille's books from time to time. They are also the best. Cheers! Have a lovely day. DebLeahrose
POSTED: Sat, 02/12/2011 - 12:19am
My opinion is this: Have
My opinion is this: Have three meals a day, but also have two snacks. Now, hear me a moment. I believe what works best is spreading out your daily food intake more, having a small amount at the three main meals and then also a little bit as a snack in between. That way, when meal time comes around, you are not so desperately hungry and you dont have to each so much at once, for you know a snack will come later. So, you dont have to like this idea - it may not be what you are looking for - but this is my opinion and my way of eating. I still follow mireille's 3 meals/day, but i eat smaller portions and then 2 snacks as well.Ava
POSTED: Sat, 02/12/2011 - 8:05am
Absolutely!
I love the FWDGF recipes and general idea of eating, but I too have 5-6 'meals' a day. By meals, I mean; breakfast (e.g. porridge, yoghurt, fruit & tea); morning coffee (traditional name, but I actually have green or mint tea & fruit or nuts as a snack); lunch (e.g. soup or salad); afternoon tea (traditional name, but I usually have tea & fruit or nuts as a snack); dinner (e.g. fish or chicken & vegetables or salad with a dessert of fruit); supper (traditional name from the French souper) if I haven't had a dinner or am still feeling hungry before bed...then I'll have a bowl of soup or fruit. I drink green & mint tea throughout the day as well as water. Only two cups of normal tea (breakfast & afternoon tea) and a hot chocolate sometimes in the afternoon (depending on the weather! If it's cold & miserable - yes; sunny & warm - no!) My idea of 'meals' are small portions throughout the day. I know it seems like I eat a lot of food! I don't, but I do need regular intakes to stop migraines and low blood sugar levels. Of course, some days I feel like eating more than others, and because I do so many exercise classes, I make sure I eat at least 2 hrs before them (or eat dinner after them if they're in the evening...or have supper instead of dinner. It's all personal choice...and it's no good following a book if it doesn't suit you...you have to do what's right for your own body :-)Most importantly, I make sure I get a really good variety of fresh fruit, vegetables & nuts. Plus enough servings of oily fish per week. Also, chicken, wholegrain pulses & beans etc. Lots of low GI foods that mean I don't feel hungry in-between meals. Lots of fluids & enough dairy. And of course, if I want a treat...I feel no guilt eating it - as long as it's delicious and I enjoy it! (this doesn't mean; crisps, cakes (unless utterly delicious!), chocolates or any kind of junk food. Believe you me, if you eat enough of the good stuff - your body doesn't want the rubbish and it'll let you know that...it's a very clever device we have...it just needs harnessing.)
Naja
POSTED: Mon, 02/14/2011 - 5:39am
Hey, Ava!
You must be a naturally thin person! Am I right?Tori
POSTED: Sun, 02/13/2011 - 2:35pm
Ava...
... you and I eat IDENTICALLY!Ava
POSTED: Sun, 02/13/2011 - 3:40pm
And
don't you just LOVE it! Mmmmmmm tasty stuff :-)Tori
POSTED: Sun, 02/13/2011 - 3:54pm
I certainly do :)
It's weird, your eating pattern, and the types of things you eat are honestly just what I have myself. Oats, yoghurt, fruit for breakfast, apple and a few almonds (or similar) for my usual daytime snacks, salad/veggies plus mini portions of protein and carbs for lunch, and typically fish, seafood or chicken plus new potatoes/brown rice/quinoa and veggies for dinner. Obviously, some nights I'm more adventurous than others, but I live alone at present so tend to 'faire simple' ;) And I often have a bedtime 'supper' of fruit or maybe a little dish of plain 0% greek yoghurt and manuka honey, as dinner is fairly small and early for me, but 'really' it's the sweet element (dessert) of my dinner, 'saved' for my evening snack.Ava
POSTED: Mon, 02/14/2011 - 5:43am
Exactly!
I find this way works best (having tried many others over the years!) It keeps me feeling fuller for longer (hence no desire for unhealthy snacks as a quick fix.) I don't eat everything I've planned if I'm not that hungry. I only eat enough to satisfy that hunger and whatever is left will do for another day or if freezable; goes in the freezer for whenever I need something quickly and haven't prepared anything else. My portions are small but regular. I'm looking forward to seeing what else you cook, as so far your dishes (what did you have for lunch thread etc) have sounded very tasty!Naja
POSTED: Mon, 02/14/2011 - 5:54am
Hunger
I think the key-word to what you're saying here is "hunger". We have to retrain ourselves and reaquaint ouselves with our true hunger. You can have something small just to satisfy it, or perhaps if you are very hungry (but never ravenous) you can eat more without any guilt: in your next meal (when the first pangs hit you) you can (again) have something smaller. It's so liberating to eat this way!!!Tori
POSTED: Sat, 02/12/2011 - 5:17am
I agree!
This is what I do. I much prefer it and it keeps my blood sugar even through the day. I have a set approximate calorie allowance in my head and divide it through the day, so, like you, I'm eating the same amount as if I just had it over three meals. It works better for me like that. I feel better if I eat just enough to make me feel contented and to have some energy, then in a few more hours, do the same again. Obviously, if I'm busy with something that takes my whole attention (like shopping!!!) I may not want or need to take the time to have a snack, so I 'incorporate' it into my lunch and allow myself more calories for that meal.Tori
POSTED: Sat, 02/12/2011 - 5:25am
Furthermore...
I think the 'problem' people have with snacking (and what I suspect Mireille is actually preaching against) is when they are in fact having their normal meals and then have snacks as EXTRA to those meals. OF COURSE if we are trying to stay slim, we shouldn't eat extra food unless we are doing extra activity, or decide we will compensate for it later. But, having say 1500 cals in a day, divided into 5 meals is no different to having it divided into 3 meals, and for some people it suits them better.Naja
POSTED: Thu, 01/27/2011 - 7:58am
Some questions:
I don't know wether you're still struggling with no snacking between meals, but, please, tell me what time you get up, what time you have breakfast and what you usually have for breakfast. I think I can help you with that. It would also be helpful if you shared your ususal time schedule: work, home, gym, e.t.c. But before I say anything, do try greek yoghurt with some strawberries instead of other types of snacks (for example, a fruit in the middle of the day makes me even hungrier).Sheri
POSTED: Tue, 09/07/2010 - 5:12pm
One more dilemma
Oops, forgot to ask this...has anyone else noticed how activity level impacts?Marilyn
POSTED: Thu, 09/09/2010 - 12:17pm
Activity
When I have an evening (17.15) spinning class I always make sure I have carbs (usually bread) with my lunch. If I only have protein/dairy/fruit mix I find I cannot manage the class properly. On none spinning days I have what I like and find that I am OK. Bear in mind with this that I am 60+.Sheri
POSTED: Fri, 09/10/2010 - 11:26am
Thank you and wow!
Thank you to everyone. This all helps. And, Marilyn, wow! 60+ is truly young and you are proving it in a spinning class!CourtneyK
POSTED: Wed, 09/08/2010 - 12:17pm
Activity and snacks
Hi Sheri - I used to work out a LOT (way too much, actually) and found snacking to be a much more challenging problem. Now that I've settled into more moderate movement (lots of walking, etc.) I'm not as hungry, so three meals is much easier to maintain. If you're exercising a lot, of course you'll need more fuel. I just find that moderate movement helps me regulate my appetite better. It's one thing to feel a little hungry before a meal; it's a much different feeling to come home from the gym feeling ravenous. I hope that helps!Sheri
POSTED: Tue, 09/07/2010 - 5:08pm
I've read...and still need ideas Help!
I've read the posts and still need ideas. I've started trying to limit myself to three meals a day. I have a good amount of protein at each meal. I've started adding extra vegetables also. When hungry between meals (always after 3-4 hours) I have a green vegetable juice, which holds me another hour depending on my activity level. I know the "en cas" is an allowed "snack" when really needed so, as she says, you don't "go hungry". But when I've tried an "en cas" size snack, I end up with a "mini-meal" again instead of "take the edge off". Here's the good and not-good of what I'm experiencing with three meals... Good - When I sit down to a meal I really honor the food better and not "take it for granted". Since I'm not having it "just any old time 5-6 times per day" it is savored more. Not good - Since I know it will be 6 hours until my next "meal" and I fear that "hunger pangs, can't concentrate, weak feeling" I end up eating past the content/satisfied feeling thinking "I'd better eat more so I don't get hungry as quickly". So, if I eat more frequent meals, I sometimes eat when I'm barely hungry and eat more than an en cas size. If I eat 3 meals, I "go hungry" and/or overeat at a meal. Any ideas anyone??? Please help.snorklee
POSTED: Thu, 09/09/2010 - 8:41am
Hi Sheri
I have found that the more fiber in my food, the longer I can go between meals. Plus... I've noticed that the fat-free, low-fat versions of foods don't leave me feeling satisfied as long as the "real" versions. When I eat an egg-white omelette, I need the equivalent of 3 egg whites just to hold me a few hours. If I eat one soft-boiled egg and a slice of toast with a teaspoon of butter on it, I can go 4 hours til my next meal. I guess my body knows the difference between "fake" and "real food". lol.vickie2
POSTED: Wed, 09/08/2010 - 2:02pm
Great ideas
Hi Sheri, I think everyone has great ideas and we all find what works best for us. What I've described is what works for me on weekdays, but on weekends, things can be different. We eat breakfast as a family around 8:30 and it's usually a heartier breakfast than I eat during the week (eggs, a pancake, fruit), so then I eat a lighter lunch around 1:00 and a later dinner. Avoiding snacking seems easier for me on weekends. Also, when I get a little hungry before meal time, I like to drink a nice cup of tea, which distracts me and helps tide me over.Nya_Nya
POSTED: Wed, 09/08/2010 - 4:23am
Can you 'compress' your meals?
The only thing that worked for me is compressing the daily meals so I don't go more than 4-5 hours without food. This means I eat breakfast later and dinner earlier. I know it's often impossible to do - it is for me too. But it's the best I have. I don't eat breakfast when I get up, I eat it at around 9-10am, then I have lunch at about 2pm and dinner from 6-7pm whenever I can. Those days that I can't do this, I usually hold out, but I always end up overeating the next day :/Sheri
POSTED: Fri, 09/10/2010 - 11:29am
Next day eating
Yes, the next day after "holding out" I found to be an issue this week. 2 days I forced myself to have tea/vegetable juice and hold out. The next day I ate a lot and constantly. Whatever I lost on the 2 days was gone. It felt a lot like dieting did.vickie2
POSTED: Tue, 09/07/2010 - 5:15pm
Hi Sheri
Yes, snacking is a tough issue for me too. I tend to be very hungry before lunch because I eat breakfast so early; usually around 5:30 am so I can eat it at home rather than at work. I tend to need a little something around 9:30 and have a little cheese or nuts. I then eat lunch around 11:30 and this is my "main meal" as far as portions go. I am then usually satisfied until dinner time and then just eat a smaller portioned dinner with lots of veggies. Do you think that having a bigger lunch and smaller dinner would help or be feasible?Marilyn
POSTED: Wed, 09/08/2010 - 6:56am
Breakfast
Have you tried splitting your breakfast into 2 meals? The normal amount you have just splitup. I have a friend who does this. She has her cereal/toast and then an hour later has her yoghurt and fruit. I know this may be difficult if you are working but it might work.Patoui
POSTED: Thu, 09/09/2010 - 9:57am
Breakfast
Marilyn - That is a great suggestion to split breakfast into 2 meals. I do that now. I used to eat several small meals a day (a trainer suggested that to me). But I found I would eat more throughout the day. So it was hard for me to try and just stick with three meals. I was used to eating practically nothing with each meal. So now I have my breakfast usually around 8:30. Then at 10:00 I have my piece of fruit or cottage cheese. Then lunch comes around 1:00 and that is probably my biggest meal. Dinner is around 6:30 which is usually a protein and lots of veggies to fill me up. I will admit it took time to lose the "snacking" aspect but I do keep an "en cas" in the fridge at work. If I keep it at my desk I will just eat it. Did I just ramble on or what??? :-)Sheri
POSTED: Fri, 09/10/2010 - 11:33am
The same
I found the same issue with several small meals, that's why I've been trying the 3 meals. I guess I'm rigidly understanding the three meals, though, because to break it into to still seems like "2 small meals" or "breakfast plus a snack an hour later". Good idea on where to keep the food...having to make the effort to get the food makes us ask "Am I hungry?" Thanks to you and Marilyn for the ideas.Vintage1944
POSTED: Fri, 09/10/2010 - 12:02pm
Chiming in
Since "snacks"are built into my work day ie scheduled coffee break I find it really tough not to snack at that time.So dividing up breakfast is a great idea.And Mireille suggests an "en cas" to keep with you...a few nuts,fruit and those could be a snack.I also appreciate the bigger meal in the middle of the day idea.I now tend to make my breakfast quite large but shifting around a bit might help with the snack attack.AAAAH a work in progress.take care all.Jean