Advice for a person who refuses to eat regularly

[Sim882]

Hi, I have a friend who refuses to eat regularly. He was once a top soccer player, and in quite good shape (b.f. 10%), but got injured, and is now something like 15-18%, and is starting to getting sick of barbs about man boobs from other friends. He's one of those people who eats really just 1 large meal per day. Surprisingly, he has some muscle mass.

I'm trying to help him and he is receptive to most of my advice but he refuses to eat regularly, pointing out he never use to. At most he's willing to eat 3 meals + one PWO on the 3 days per week he works out [says nibbling on cabbage and chicken all day is embarressing at work].

Assuming I can't change his strategy, what do you think about this idea:
- I encourage him to eat 20 grams of casein shake with 3 meals, plus 30 grams before he goes to bed, consistent with his macros.

This way he still has protein in his system at all times (alternatively, he does this between meals, but he's forgetful).

Do you think such a plan would still work relatively well - it should stop him going catabolic shouldn't it, even if it doesn't control insulin as well.

I think his goal is to get to say 10% first, and then maybe a tad lower.

 

[needtogetaas]

I hate to say it but there are some pretty muscular people out there that only eat 3 meals a day with some shakes. If he is not trying to be hard core bad ass he can get by with that. Just keep the meals that he dose it high in protein.

Stick with him. Have him set a goal for himself. A six week goal. If in six weeks he dose not reach that goal. Ask him why he thinks he did not reach that goal.

 

[poysyn]

eating 6+ meals a day is definitely better than 3, but 3 will work out as long as he is meeting his caloric needs. If hes only eating 500 calories at each of those 3 meals, that is going to be problematic..

 

[the_alcatraz]

I've eaten 3+ meals / day. It doesnt give you the required amount of calories to grow in my opinion. Also, even if you increase the size of the meal, its not as effective as having many meals of lesser size. Your body only absorbs a certain amount of protein, and then the rest is stored as: sugars? fat?

 

[LB55]

if he is unwilling to work it will make it harder for him to get back in shape so its really just how bad he wants to get back into good shape

 

[the_alcatraz]

It's all about determination bro.