Question:
Eat When Hungry VS. Eat By The Clock?

I am 11 months post op and was wondering IF or WHEN I might ever want to switch over and start eating only when I'm hungry. How many of you that are a year, or so, out still eat by the clock (3-6 meals a day - whether hungry or not)? How many eat only when hungry (even if that's 1 or 6 times a day)? Will either one keep me losing weight longer? Thanks!    — eaamc (posted on January 5, 2004)


January 5, 2004
Andrea, good question..I started out eating only 3 meals a day..I now find myself grazing continuously.at least every hour or so ..I think I need to start back on 3 set meal times per day...I actually dont think I am eating when I am hungry...I just dont know anymore!!!I think it is safest to just eat at set times...
   — NANCY P.

January 5, 2004
I switched to only eating when hungry before I had surgery but that doesn't work very well right now since I don't get hungry so I try to eat at regularly spaced intervals right now until the hunger comes back then I plan to eat only when hungry. It seems to make more sense to me that way but I'll just have to see how it goes. I'm anxious to see answers from longer term post ops though.
   —  SCbabe B.

January 5, 2004
Hi, I'll be 11 months post op Lap RNy 2/11/04 and if I ate only when I was hungry I'd never eat, because I'm "never" hungry! I eat by the clock. I must, if I'm to get all protein/water/vits in....... Good Luck! 2/11//03 250/142/135
   — Hazel S.

January 5, 2004
I got my appetite back after three weeks, I was so upset by it! I tend to eat by the clock because If I wait to get hungary then I eat to fast or make the wrong choices and end up dumping.
   — yippykyae

January 5, 2004
I will be 2 years post-op from my wls on 02/27/04 and I have to eat at least every 3 hours or I get sick to my stomach, I even start to lose if I go very long in between meals, I like it that way though... I mainly eat protein's fruits, hard cheeses and only wheat breads, white breads and pasta tend to still just sit in my pouch!!! and little or now sugar and fat!!!
   — bikerchic

January 5, 2004
Some days I am not hungry at all...othe days I could...and sometimes do...eat 6 times a day. Do I just go with what ever my tummy tells me each day...or do I stick to my 3 meals a day regardless of whether I'm not hungry or starving?
   — eaamc

January 5, 2004
If you get hungry on a normal schedule, meaning several times a day, then do it that way, however, only eating one time a day will not give you enough calories/protein/nutrition. Its better to fuel your body and metabolism by eating frequently, hence the theory that several small protein heavy meals are best. I'm almost 2 years post-op and try to eat every few (2-4) hours, which I am usually hungry anyways...the key is to make the right choices...
   — Cindy R.

January 5, 2004
If I only ate when I am hungry, I would never eat. I have lost my mechanism for hunger. I eat at mealtime to keep healthy as I need about 90 grams of protein a day and would not be able to get it in if I didnt keep conscious of meals. I drink protein shakes every day even at 30 months post op... or I wouldnt be able to stay strong. I think that it is more of an issue of eating enough protein and getting in enough nutrients than when you eat. ciao, susan maria www.bariatriceating.com
   — SusanMaria

January 5, 2004
I am with Susan on this. If not for a clock, and making a point to eat with other people who eat healthy, I would never eat. At 21 months post-op, I still have no hunger and can go for days with out eating. Then I stop losing any weight and have terribly long plateaus. I strongly recommend the clock.
   — kultgirl




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