Eating two meals a day, but meals too far apart ? Is it bad (read the stickies) reps

[AliLeo94]

Yes yes yes , I've read the stickies, I know that meal timing is irrelevant. In fact, I've been eating two meals a day for over a year.

One thing that I am concerned about is, since I am bulking (3000 cals) , is having two meals too far apart from each other ''non-optimal'' in terms of protein synthesis ?

That Layne Norton study has me worried. Usually, I eat one meal (breakfast) train about 4-5 hours later then have my pwo meal.

But today, I had my breakfast at 3:30 then I trained a little late today , therefore had my second meal about 12 hours later.


I only had a cup of tea and a small clementine orange before workout.

Is it ruining my gains or what ??? I prefer having big meals over smaller.


Please help guys !!!!!!!!!! I am so worrrieeeeeeeeeed right now

[Wakaaa]

As long as you meet your macros, you can eat whenever, however in terms of energy it might have an effect, but if that's what you want then go for it.

[ASTRONOMICAL]

I know what you're referring to and some people disagree with laynes study. I'm impartial. My compromise was to have a few protein shakes in the windows... they are rather low in calories and shouldnt impact your meal size if you have 2 a day... problem solved.. but, in the end, I think its probably rather trivial.

[brendan0076]

wtf OP

you just said you know meal timing is irrelevent, then you go on completely ignoring what you just said and start asking questions about timing......

[AliLeo94]

Reply to both of you above

I have lots of energy during my training sessions.

To Astronomical : I've been thinking about buying a whey tub.

[ASTRONOMICAL]

wtf OP

you just said you know meal timing is irrelevent, then you go on completely ignoring what you just said and start asking questions about timing......

I wouldn't call -trying to give your muscles optimal protein synthesis periods AND eating 6 small balanced meals a day, the same thing. I get what you're saying brendan and it holds some weight, but, meal frequency is kinda vague.

Now I'm not saying whats fact and fiction, I'm just saying that theirs different motives. If eating a few protein shakes in the gaps provides peace of mind then so be it. Less stress and I don't think there is anything to really worry about with it.


OP, if you've been documenting your gains then continue to do so and see if you see any improvement. It would be interesting to see if there were any notable results.

[mh22]

I eat 2 meals a day. Lost around 16lbs in month and a half (yes there was a lot water weight loss after NYs party). Losing fat, keeping lbm, and lots of energy at the gym, plus I love eating big meals. Works great for me

[brendan0076]

I wouldn't call -trying to give your muscles optimal protein synthesis periods AND eating 6 small balanced meals a day, the same thing. I get what you're saying brendan and it holds some weight, but, meal frequency is kinda vague.

Now I'm not saying whats fact and fiction, I'm just saying that theirs different motives. If eating a few protein shakes in the gaps provides peace of mind then so be it. Less stress and I don't think there is anything to really worry about with it.


OP, if you've been documenting your gains then continue to do so and see if you see any improvement. It would be interesting to see if there were any notable results.

first your talking about layne nortons studies based on timing, now your talking about 6 small balanced meals.

Do you yourself even know what your talking about?

[MikeDavidL]

I'm certainly no scientific expert, but from the reading and research I've done it would seem meal timing is more influential on energy levels rather than nutrient partitioning and absorption.

Because the muscular anabolic window is something like 24-72hrs post-workout, if you're meeting your macronutrient needs on a daily basis (24hrs), and training more frequently than that, your body is going to be using everything you give it. It's only when you start going longer than 24-72hrs between meals that you're going to stunt growth.

The real factor that meal timing plays is more to do with your energy levels during your workout. If you're low on energy and lethargic, you'll have a lower intensity workout, and induce less growth.

That's what I've gathered anyway.

[brendan0076]

I'm certainly no scientific expert, but from the reading and research I've done it would seem meal timing is more influential on energy levels rather than nutrient partitioning and absorption.

Because the muscular anabolic window is something like 24-72hrs post-workout, if you're meeting your macronutrient needs on a daily basis (24hrs), and training more frequently than that, your body is going to be using everything you give it. It's only when you start going longer than 24-72hrs between meals that you're going to stunt growth.

The real factor that meal timing plays is more to do with your energy levels during your workout. If you're low on energy and lethargic, you'll have a lower intensity workout, and induce less growth.

That's what I've gathered anyway.

This man speaks the truth

[Gitt66]

It should also be noted that for at least the first 12 hours between meals, your body is almost exclusively using liver glycogen for energy. This prevents breakdown of other tissues, be it fat or muscle, for energy.

[psychodiver9]

So op you know that meal timing is irrelevant but want to know if meal timing is relevant?