Question:
I see people post that they eat 4-6 times a day..isn't that grazing?

If during our waking hours we eat 4-6 times, wouldn't that be every few hours? That sounds like something I would do pre-op on a bad day. Im not knocking it...I just don't understand it. I was told to eat 3 meals a day and have the water, vits, and protein sups. What do you do and why...most important is it working? Terri (open Rny, in a few days)    — cherokey55 (posted on October 10, 2002)

October 9, 2002
I eat 5-6 small meals a day because that's what <b>my</b> nutritionist and surgeon tell me to do. Obviously, <b>your</b>surgeon and/or nutritionist has told you something else. It does not mean that one is right and one is wrong. <p> Grazing is eating all day - snacking on high-calorie foods and never letting your pouch get full. <p> I eat a small meal approximately every 3 hours - trying to get protein first in each meal. And it must be working as I have lost 87 pounds since my open RNY on 7/17...JR
   — John Rushton

October 9, 2002
Teri- I eat 4-6 small meals a day to get in enough calories (800-1000) to keep my body from going into stravation mode. If my body thinks it is straving then it holds onto the fat. Also, some doctors consider your protein supplements as one of those meals. If you look at that way you are eating 4-6 small meals. I hope this help. Cheryl Lap RNY 4.5 mos -85lbs.
   — Cheryl S.

October 9, 2002
Smaller meals more frequently actually encourages weight loss because it keeps your metabolism going strong. Going longer periods between meals, and your metabolism will drop. I am unable to do anything but eat 2-3 times a day, just couldn't do the 4-6. But it still worked for me. I reached goal by 11 months.
   — Cheri M.

October 9, 2002
My suregon office wants us to eat only 3 times a day. If I find myself feeling hungry, I drink more water and it passes. OFten I am not hungry when it comes time to eat... I find this works the best for me.
   — barbara A.

October 10, 2002
Terri, When we eat 4-6 times a day, it doesn't mean we eat constantly. If you don't stop snacking after about 20 minutes, you are grazing. If you do stop, and you are eating only high quality protein, it counts as a meal. In other words, a high protein shake can qualify as a meal. Or 2-3 ounces of cottage cheese can qualify as a meal. or a single scrambled egg can qualify as a meal. My doctor recommends eating 4-6 times a day, yours does not - follow your doctor's protocol. After all, he is the one you will see for follow-up, and he will want to know how you are doing according to his criteria. Good luck to you.... Margie B
   — Marjorie B.

October 10, 2002
Food is fuel for the body. And you want to keep the body constantly burning up that fuel. I probably eat a little something every 4 hours or so during the day and every 3 hours or so at night. The key is to ensure that the food you eat is healthy for the most part, and lots of protein.
   — Cindy R.

October 10, 2002
Some people have to eat 4-6 times a day to get their protien in. I use to not eat as much as I needed to and most of my hair fell out! I wasn't getting in enough protien and I was paying for it with my once pretty blonde hair. So the important this is to get in the vitamins you need without over doing it. It might seem like a lot but probably isn't as much as it seems.
   — Sarah K.

October 10, 2002
I do it because I dont want to lose anymore weight. I have had several surgeries and complications that have forced me to lose more weight and quickly. Upon the advice of my nutritionist, I eat more frequently so that I wont lose anymore, or at least slow it down some. Everyone is different, do whats best for you. : )
   — RebeccaP

October 10, 2002
Grazing is "leaving the box open" on your desk or in the pathway, so you grab 2-3 crackers as you walk by. My 4 meals are (if crackers) some crackers, some cheese, maybe fruit slices on a plate, and finished within about 15 minutes. IF I made my serving big enough to last for an hour, that'd be very bad--too much food, painless pouch stretching. I pretty much alternate a protein drink with food, every 1.5 hrs or so.
   — vitalady

October 10, 2002
I'm supposed to eat three meals a day but I can't eat that much at a time (most of the time) so I get to danged hungry in between three meals. I just can't do it. I would rather eat several smaller meals than three bigger ones anyway. I'm assumming that at around 17 months post op I should be eating around 1,200 to 1,500. If so that would be around 500 calories per meal. I don't want that many at one meal! I guess it is whatever works for you and is the most comfortble. As long as it IS'NT grazing. ;)
   — Danmark

October 10, 2002
I usually eat every few hours or so. My dr actually told me to eat MORE often--every two hours. I couldn't do it cuz I got a bloated, uncomfortable feeling so I cut back to every 3 hours. I am at goal and my maintenance level is 1500-1800 calories a day with 100 grams of protein. It is not always easy to get in that much protein and eating frequent, small meals works best for me. BTW, it took me 10.5 months to reach my current weight. :)
   — ctyst

October 10, 2002
I have from day one of post op eaten at least 4 times a day. This is different because of what you are supposed to be eating. You are supposed to be eating healthier foods and not chips and so forth. I eat a lot of crackers and peanut butter, popcorn, canned veggies, and fruit. When you eat regular 4-6 times a day, normally that would consist of "junk food" cookies, chips, candy bar, coke....You are also going to be eating MUCH less than you would pre-surgery. It will all make more since to you once you have the surgery and test the waters with different methods of eating. Some people can eat 3 times a day and be fine, others can't. Every one is different.
   — jb4274 ..

October 10, 2002
ORIGINAL POSTER....thank you for the interesting info. I think that I will have to wait and see what my body needs as time goes on because your explainations for eating more frequently made a lot of sense. Not being a grazer, I didnt really get it before. As I said in my question, I am not knocking it...just wondering so please dont take it as I am putting anyone or their choices down. Thank you again for all the info.
   — cherokey55

October 10, 2002
I am only a week and a half post op. BUT...I seem to be eating small amounts everyfew hours. It's hard to get in all you protein so I spread it out. When you get full BOY you are full. Good Luck to you. Deb
   — Debbie F.

October 11, 2002
I am 5 weeks post op. I was told by the nutritionist to eat 6-8 mini meals a day. The most I can handle on a good day is 5. The reasoning behind this is I can't fit much in at a time and I need to get in the protein grams everyday.
   — DeeDee B.

October 11, 2002
I eat about 6 times a day, because I have become hypoglycemic, and I eat small amounts, I eat about every 3 hrs. It keeps the sugar level constant and I just don't eat full course meals at any time unless I go out to a restaurant. I eat my oatmeal for breakfast, about 10 I have my fruit or yougert, lunch is a salad or sandwich, about 3 is a snack, dinner is usually some kind of vegetable or a frozen dinner or soup and a snack arount 9-10. It isn't really grazing, it is just spreading my meals out over time.
   — Elizabeth K.

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