What is Healthy Eating?

[Jean in Newcastle]

Ds and I had a disagreement this morning. He had a big restaurant meal yesterday at one pm and then didn't eat again until breakfast at 9:30 am. He said that he hadn't wanted even a very light supper because he wasn't hungry. I'm not for forcing someone to eat if they aren't hungry, but that just seems too long to go without eating. But then ds reminded me that people go much longer on religious fasts. So. . . what is healthy eating in this case? (The reason I'm asking this is because ds and I have been talking a lot lately about healthy lifelong habits.) I couldn't go that long without eating because of bloog-sugar and adrenal issues but I realize that my health problems aren't a good guide for deciding what he should do.

[Annie G]

I usually eat more frequent but small meals/snacks. So if I go out and have a large meal at a restaurant, I'm overstuffed and likely not interested in eating at the next 'regularly scheduled' mealtime. On an infrequent basis, this is ok with me. But since I know I do better with smaller but more frequent meals, doing this on a regular basis would bother me. Generally when we eat out I try to order things that will last until the next day- taking half home for the next day's lunch is win-win and prevents me from feeling bloated and overfed.

 

Dh used to be so stressed at work that he regularly skipped breakfast and lunch. One meal a day was NOT good for him. Now he's managing stress better, eating three meals a day and losing weight.

 

But then again, many people skip breakfast and going from dinner until lunch the next day can be roughly 18 hours...so I guess people do that all the time. And 18 hours is not a whole lot less time than your ds went.

[bolt.]

I'd have gone with a light supper too -- but it's by no means "too long to go without food" from a health perspective. Unless it is a *daily* lifestyle (which might be an eating disorder) I don't think that feeling full and skipping supper is reason for concern.

[Jean in Newcastle]

No, it isn't a daily thing at all!

[Laura Corin]

If he's not hungry then I don't think it's a good idea for him to force himself to eat. It's a rare gift these days to realise that one doesn't always need to eat.

 

L

[J-rap]

I know people who eat two balanced meals/day regularly, even though I've heard that smaller meals three times/day is better. Still, I would never stuff myself if I had a big meal earlier in the day and wasn't hungry. I think it's good to listen to your body and not eat just because it's time.

[Soror]

I think, and the research I've read confirms, that intermittent fasting is good for the body. Actually, from what I read I find the idea that we should eat so often is hogwash.

[Joker]

I rarely eat breakfast, So, I usually have dinner around 6pm and then don't eat again until lunch the next day around 1pm.

[Momof3littles]

Yes, interesting research out on intermittent fasting if you take a look. Far from settled, but interesting nevertheless.

[Jean in Newcastle]

Thanks everyone. Ds is very happy that the hive is backing him up!

[Jane in NC]

I totally agree with your son in this case. Fifteen year old boys usually eat when they are hungry. If they are not, so be it. Sounds like he is getting in tune with his body.