Missing Meals - Adding Calories to End of Day

[cwhettinger]

I realize similar questions have been asked before, but I am asking a slightly different question than I have seen in my quick search of the forum.

As a beginner, I am still getting the habits down pat in terms of nutrition and getting the higher calories needed per day. Occasionally, I am forced to miss a planned meal due to work related emergencies. When this happens, it is usually towards the end of the day, meaning I only have 1 more meal slot available before bed time to make up ground.

My question is, when I miss a meal, should I push those calories forward to my final meal (essentially consuming a large dinner of increased P/F/C) immediately before sleeping? Or would I be better off forgetting about it? The reason I ask is that I worry consuming these calories before sleeping could be fat gaining due to the fact that there are carbs and fats included and it isn't just something like casein. Adding the calories to other meals in the day isn't an option because the only remaining meal time is dinner.

I am trying to avoid this in the first place, but any advice would be appreciated for when it is unavoidable. Thanks.

[JamesMontana]

Yes, add them. A good measure of counting calories is how many you're consuming weekly. This obviously doesn't suggest eating your weekly cals in a day and not eat for the remaining 6. But for the most part, meal timing is not as important as hitting macros.

[Greater Deity]

This. ^

[cwhettinger]

Ok, thanks for the quick reply. That makes sense.

So the fact that I am about to sleep doesn't mean I should avoid those calories? Sorry in advance if this is a stupid question. Just worried about what my body might be doing differently asleep with all of that fuel to process.

[JamesMontana]

If you're that worried about it, read up on LeanGains.
Short answer: no.
Be more concerned with hitting your correct macros.

[cwhettinger]

If you're that worried about it, read up on LeanGains.
Short answer: no.
Be more concerned with hitting your correct macros.

Will do - thanks again!