Snacks

I was just curious as to how many of you have snacks planned into your day. My doctor told me "NO Snacking" during the day - just my 3 meals, but it seems like a lot of people do have snacks during the day...any thoughts?? It doesn't really bother me during the day, except that sometimes when I get home from work between 4:30-5 ish I am really hungry - of course, we do eat lunch at 10:55, and that's awhile in between meals! I was just wondering if this is the case for anybody else...Thanks!

I have six planned 'feedings' a day - whatever you want to call them lol. I budget my daily calorie-load and divide by 6..and try to keep it within that amount. I don't always succeed..but that's the 'plan' lol.

Tooter...Thanks for your reply! Just curious, but what is your daily calorie range, btw?

Ok, first you need to understand I am 6 foot tall and have a large male frame (and yes, I'm female lol). When I'm in maintenance, I need to stay between 1600 and 2000 calories. If I go over I gain; less than that and I lose. Right now I'm trying to stay under 1600 - I'd like to lose 10 pounds. I like having a little wiggle room in my jeans.

How did you figure out what your target calorie intake is? I've had trouble finding that!

The first thing I did was figure out what my BMR (this is your metabolic rate...what you burn by just existing) - it's not an 'exact' science, but it's a good marker. You can have an actual test done to determine your rate, but the Body Calculator on www.thinnerself.com comes fairly close. My BMR is 1660 or close to it. Calories needed to maintain my weight is 1900 to 2000 or thereabouts. Anyway, I took this info to my nut and he concurred. So I keep my calories near to under the 1600 mark, but not TOO far under so I don't shock my body into not losing or losing muscle...and try to stay patient. The less you have to lose, the slower the loss. Anyway...that's what "I" did...but my suggestion is to try the Body Calculator to get a 'general idea' what you're BMR is - and then discuss it with a nutrtionist. Doctors generally know very little about actual nutrition. (((HUGS)))

Thanks a bunch! I'm definately going to check that site out. Btw, you're awesome! I always like to read what you have to say - Keep it up! =)

Thanks, you're kind to say so - just keep in mind that I'm not the smartest postop around here...I'm just the longest winded lol.

Snacks help the further out you get when hunger comes back. I eat three meals a day and a coulple of snacks so my blood sugar does not rise or fall too much. Snacks for me need some protien and some carbs. If I eat a snack I wont overeat at a meal .

I plan for 6 meals a day, just call 3 of them snacks I average 1400 - 1600 cals a day, I am 4'11" 137 pounds. My best weight I like is 130 - 135, even tho it is still overweight by the "charts" I feel and look good I was bad at the holidays and went to 140 and am back on track now. I exercise a lot ( my therapist would call it over exercising) 4-5 times a week at *least* 1 hour a day, but more like 2 hours at least 3 of the days. I am pretty muscular for my size as I do cardio(3Xweek) weight training (3Xweek) and yoga (at least 2 times / week, sometimes 3-4 ) Monday 1 hour cardio and about an hour of weights tuesday - 1 hour Yoga and 30 min to an hour of cardio if I have time Wed, same as Monday thurs - same as Tuesday fri off - I work a 12 hour shift , but if I get cancelled at work, I go do an hour of cardio. If I work Saturday, I stop after work If I don't have an early "date" w/ DH and do 30-60 min of cardio, otherwise if I am off I go and just do what ever looks good to me at the time, sometimes a yoga class. Sunday, if I am off work I go to the morning yoga class. If I work, I might or might not go, depends on if I went Friday or not.