to snack or not to snack - my question page

[shiningprimal]

I'm in education and recently have gone back after summer vacation. In the summer, my meals were about 4-5 hours apart and I didn't need to snack at all.

Now that I'm back at work, I generally eat at 6:30, 12:30 and 6:00. The bigger gaps in meals, plus my upped energy expenditure as I'm flying around all the time, mean that I'm starting to experience a bit of hunger between meals.

My question is: do I HAVE to snack? i.e. will my efforts be thwarted if I'm a bit hungry for a few hours? Or, can I stretch it and consider them mini IFs and not worry about it?

THANKS!

[jakey]

wow, that's not the expected question! heck no, you don't have to snack. hunger is a natural sensation, a perfectly healthy one too. there's nothing wrong with feeling some hunger during the day. in fact, it was likely extremely typical - an integral part of life - until recent times.

eating a snack is not the worst thing, but i do think that eating square meals is a far, far better bet. good for you, stick with it.

[WeldingHank]

thats up to you, being hungry isn't a bad thing.

You could always add more fat/protein to your meals to keep you fuller between them.

[Saoirse]

I can't eat enough in a meal to feel full, so i tend to snack. there's nothing wrong with a little hunger.

[noodletoy]

i don't know when people became so threatened by the actual sensation of hunger. mine can't have been the only mom who forbid pre-dinner snacks "cuz it would ruin my appetite"?

as long as you're not seriously flagging, and keeping hydrated, just stick to 3 meals. you might need a bit more in the lunch one?

[vb66]

For the general population, snacking is pretty unnecessary. It sounds like it doesn't make much sense in your situation. Three solid meals should be just fine.

[JudyCr]

I really like the empty feeling I get between meals.
It's not hunger anymore, just a sensation that lets me know I'm burning fat.

An organic apple wouldn't hurt you. I eat part of a fruit with a tad of walnut or almond butter at the beginning of meals;
kind of an appetizer. Also, drink loads of filtered water inbetween meals, it'll fill you up great.

[jem51]

Eat if you are really hungry. Don't if you're not.

[JamestheJust]

Not sure where all the hate for snacking is coming from! If you feel hunger enough where you are low on energy, definitely have a snack. Just make sure its primal and don't overdo it.

[jfreaksho]

I really like the empty feeling I get between meals.
It's not hunger anymore, just a sensation that lets me know I'm burning fat.

An organic apple wouldn't hurt you. I eat part of a fruit with a tad of walnut or almond butter at the beginning of meals;
kind of an appetizer. Also, drink loads of filtered water inbetween meals, it'll fill you up great.

Water is great, but I can't do fruit by itself, or I get HUNGRY. Cheese slices on apple slices, now that's a snack!