Yes, I know that recommendations are for athletes to eat small and often, but that is for ATHLETES. It does NOT transfer well to mere mortals like us (okay, me).
If you’re an athlete, in training and burning more than 4000 calories a day, then be my guest, eat 6 (or 10) small meals a day consisting only of fried egg sandwiches and chocolate éclairs.
If you’re a mere mortal like I, maybe running or exercising a fair bit then follow this 6 meals strategy and you’ll be a bloater, laying on the couch, eating crisps and watching X Factor reruns before you know it.
Heed my advice friends, the problem is, as reasonably active people we are lured into new ways of improving our performance – protein shakes, compression tights, breathing only through our ears etc.
The image of us bounding around effortlessly, with limitless ‘extra’ energy by changing our eating frequency is too much to pass up.
So, we adjust our diet, 6 small meals is now the regime – but they never stay as ‘small meals’ and before you know it, your just eating breakfast, 4 lunches and dinner (because it’s more than 2 hours since the last meal) everyday… and from there its only a short walk to the sofa with the bowl of crisps and remote control in hand…
There is nothing wrong with 3 meals a day. A bit of fasting (if you can call the 4 hours between porridge and a chicken salad sandwich that) never hurt anyone. The temptation to overeat when having 3 meals a day is exactly the same as the temptation when having 6 meals a day.
If you want more energy, then do more exercise – few people exercise themselves hard enough day in, day out to be constantly fatigued – also, it’s normal to feel tired after a hard session.
If you want to lose weight, then all you need is willpower. Willpower to eat less and exercise some (at least 20 minutes) every day. Simples.
I’m no expert, but the following, is not only easy, but worked for me.
- Breakfast – 250 calories (typically porridge)
- Lunch – 500 calories (chicken salad sandwich)
- Dinner – 1000 calories (normal meal)
- As much fruit as you want during the day.
- Two or three cups of tea / coffee (leave the biscuits in the tin)
- At least 20 minutes exercise / raised heart rate (walking/running/rowing whatever) DAILY
Disclaimer: This post does not constitute medical advice, it is not based on any science and is largely unsupported by facts. It is purely my own observations. Get medical advice before starting on a diet or starting out on an exercise regime. Get urgent psychiatric advice if you are in any way inclined to watch X Factor or Britain’s Got Talent.
