How many meals a day?

Hi to you all,

I'm a little confused about how many meals a day is best. I'm reading about raw food lifestyle (http://www.rawfoodexplained.com/), and so far, what I learned is that more than 3 times a day is not optimum, because we only produce so much "gastric juices" in the stomach to digest only 3 big meals. If we eat more than that, it would be not digested as it should by gastric juices.

I'm pretty new to this lifestyle (entering the 2nd week), and before eating raw I was used to eat 6 times a day! I thought that this way I ensure nutrients to my body in the best way it could assimilate them.

So, how many times is optimum? I'm doing exercise every day, alternating running and weight lifting days.

Thanks in advance, and sorry if this topic was already discussed.

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Permalink Reply by M ♦ on May 20, 2009 at 1:04pm

I personally have 3-4 meals at the moment

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Permalink Reply by Diego on May 21, 2009 at 2:13am

Thanks for the answers.

Currently I feel that I need about 5 meals, but not the same size each of them. Here's a typical daily menu:

7:00 = water 1/2 L.
10:00 = breakfast: 2-3 oranges
12:30 = supper: 2 pears, 2 apples, 1-2 bananas
16:00 = pre-workout: 1 banana, some dried grapes
18:30 = post-workout: 2-3 tangerines
21:00 = dinner: green vegetables salad with tomatoes, celery and some nuts or hazelnuts

Also I drink some water in between meals if I feel so, and during my workouts.

I guess I'll stick to this if I'm feeling well. But the thing is that I also felt well when I was eating 6 times a day with so much protein in each meal, and mixing carbohydrates together (Alright, not as wall as now... Now I'm more active and feeling "lighter" than before, but besides that I was doing fine).

I'll post any advances or changes in this subject. Thanks again!

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Permalink Reply by Diego on May 21, 2009 at 4:20am

Yes, maybe it isn't enough. This is my 2nd week, and by now I'm maintaining my strength level. Before this diet my weight was 78 Kg. For the last 3 days I'm stabilized at 75 Kg. I'm not being hungry with this diet. I'm going to be alert and see how I react, if I start to feel hungry, I will eat a little more.

Compared to what I've being doing for the past 10 years, this diet is too small... but if all the things that I read about raw food style are right... there's no need for too much calories (all my current knowledge about raw foods comes from http://www.rawfoodexplained.com, and currently I'm waiting the delivery of the book 80/10/10).

But what I feel is more important is that if you eat several times a day, more than 3-4 times, does your body digest well all this food, or is just more that what it can handle efficiently?

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Permalink Reply by 1quickprick on October 15, 2009 at 9:29am

As Doug says: ”Eat one food when hungry until full.“ Everything in nature applies this and thrives. You will too.

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Permalink Reply by Bliss on May 29, 2009 at 11:15am

HOLY CROW! Are you serious? I analyzed your meal and it looks like you are eating about 800 calories MAX. That is scary! Also, if you eat any fat at all because your carb calories are so low, you will be easily tipping over 10%. Wow, in 80/10/10 you've got to eat enough calories, you're eating even less than what it would take for someone who is 80 pounds to maintain their body weight.

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Permalink Reply by Josh Fossgreen on May 29, 2009 at 11:44am

I agree with Bliss. Eat more! Monomeals is a good idea. I don't train very hard at all and I eat 2000-3000kcal a day.

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Permalink Reply by Diego on May 29, 2009 at 12:03pm

Hi guys

Thanks to all for the messages! Ok, It seems I've not been paying too much attention on calories!!! ;o) I hope my 80/10/10 arrives soon!

Well, just for having some point of comparison, can anyone post a sample daily menu of what you consider a good one for an active person. I'm taking Maggie's advice on more bananas! Thanks Bliss and Josh!

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Permalink Reply by Bliss on May 29, 2009 at 1:40pm

it depends how active you are Diego:
one big watermelon (round type) - about 1200 calories
one Honey dew melon medium - about 300 to 400 calories
one cantaloupe melon medium - around 200 calories
six regular sized bananas (williams) - around 600 calories
five mangoes - around 650 to 700 calories

That's 3400 calories

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Permalink Reply by 1quickprick on October 15, 2009 at 9:32am

At 6'2” and 185lbs. on an average day I eat:
8-12 bananas in a smoothie
12 oranges
5 apples
1lb of romaine lettuce
6-8 tomatoes
1 head of celery
2 or 3 red pepers
4-6 brazil nuts if I have an appetite for fat that day
If my hunger persists:
6-8 peaches
Or a whole pineapple

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Permalink Reply by Rose on December 21, 2009 at 8:46am

just hang in there till 811 arrives... it has all the answers for you! ;)

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Permalink Reply by eventhorizon on May 29, 2009 at 1:27pm

i saw a great youtube video by someone on here, about food combining. he says acid fruits together - tomatoes, oranges, green apples. sub acid fruits together - pawpaws, mangoes, red apples, grapes, kiwi fruit. sweet fruits together - bananas, dates, what else. greens with anything but nuts by themselves is that right? anyway if your not stressing you digestion you can eat waaay more.

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Permalink Reply by Joanna on October 14, 2009 at 10:09pm

Hi Utopia. I was just searching the forum, looking for ideas on what, and how much to eat at meals. I've been doing this diet 100% for a week now, and I really want to be successful. I'm about the same height and weight as you (5'3, about 111), so I'm wondering if you'd be willing to list what, how much and when you eat. I also do moderate exercise each day, and if I'm not at work I try to dance or move for at least 5 or 10 minutes before eating. Also, how long have you been doing 811, and how do you feel?
Thanks!
Joanna