How bad is it to eat meals wihtin 1 1/2 hours

[SoreArms]

I know that it is best to eat meals within 2 - 3 hours of each other, but I often find myself cramming meals within 1 1/2 hours.

For example, in the mornings I often wake up a little bit later than what I set my alarm to (don't we all), so I often don't get a chance to cook breakfast at 6:00 AM like I would like. So instead I'll make a shake and guzzle it down as I walk out the door at around 7:30 AM. Then at work, first break is at 9:00 and it is when I need to have my second meal, not just because it's break time, but lunch is at 11:30, so if I don't keep that meal on schedule I fuck up the rest of the day. There are other cases, too, where I just get too busy to have my meal as scheduled and I eat it within close proximity of the next (never less than 1 1/2 hours). If there is less than an hour left in between meals, I will usually skip it and just wait 'till the next one.

How bad is this for me? Am I creating big insulin spikes and storing more fat when I do this?

 

[SoreArms]

^bumpidy bump^

Anyone?

 

[onerepmaximum]

I guess it depends on what you are eating and what your goals are. I would say that it's better to be closer together than farther apart, if you're worried about maintaining muscle.

 

[SoreArms]

I'm trying to reduce BF%, so I want to give my body the least amounts of chances to store un-needed fat.

 

[Stryc-9]

The bottom line in reducing body fat is going to be total daily calories. You won't create an insulin spike unless you're eating high glycemic carbs - so no need to worry about that.

As long as you aren't eating over maintenance calories for your body weight - the time between meals isn't going to make a terribly big difference.

 

[SoreArms]

Thanks bud,
I can stop worrying everytime I have to do this.

 

[audiophyle]

good info, i was wondering the same thing

 

[Animal]

Nothing cataclysimic will happen as muscle cells don't die or become impaired if not fed every 2-3 hours. BTW, they can only do so much and hold so much, too!

 

[faller]

Def better too close than too far away. You can always make meals smaller if needed. I have my morning meals usually 1.5 hours or so apart. I was thinking needsize ate that often too (someone big here does! lol).

 

[needsize]

I was doing it every 1.5 hours, key is making sure they are small enough to digest in that much time. It still leaves you pretty bloated all the time though