On Extreme Weight Loss and in our books “Choose to Lose: The 7 Day Carb Cycle Solution” and “Choose More, Lose More for Life,” Chris and I teach people how to lose weight and get healthy using a program called carb cycling. When you carb cycle, you eat 5 smaller meals a day, 1 every 3 hours starting within 30 minutes of waking up.
Eating this often is new to many people, especially those that skip breakfast and suddenly realize halfway through the day, that they’ve also missed lunch. Irregular eating can derail your fitness goals.
Preparation is key to eating every three hours. While we all know the best laid plans can go awry with an emergency, you get stuck in traffic, a meeting goes longer than planned, etc., so many people ask Chris and I what happens if I accidentally skip a meal or am unable to eat my meal on time. What do you do?
Find out the answers by watching this week’s Ask Heidi Anything.
264 Responses
One more question can u give me the answer to the nuts on how many whole vs them all chopped up???? Thx
Just reading some old post and someone asked about snacks!!! I am curious I have been doing the same portions based on book for all five meals! Should one or two be more snack size???? I have ten to fifteen left to lose and just started turbo program this past Friday!!!! Does this program work for people with a little left to lose??? I’ve lost 60 so far but taken eight years!!!
Is the paleo coconut bread considered a fat or a carb it has 35 cal 1 fat 6 carbs 5 fiber and 5 protein it’s from Julian bakery website!!! Need help and can you eat rabbit on plan??? I have both books love them!!! Thanks
carb 🙂
I just finished your guys “Choose More, Lose More for Life” Book. I understand most of the book except the nutrition stuff. I started it today. I’m doing the turbo cycle and My question is on the snacks I struggle figuring out what to make/eat that has protein and fat. I made celery sticks with a TBS of peanut butter. I assume the peanut butter is my fats and not a protein. So am I just supposed to eat a portion of meat with this as a snack? Because I have 45 mins until I can eat again and I’m really hungry. What about buying protein bars? Would they count as a mid morning snack? If so which ones would you recommend? I just need some help coming up with healthy snacks ideas so i can stick to this turbo plan.
Also any suggestions on replacements with the breakfasts fats like with eggs, I’m nursing and can’t have any dairy?
Thanks,
Kiara
Kiara, first things first, congratulations on your new little one. 🙂 If you’re nursing you need to share this program with you doctor and get their approval. As far as snacks, pages 205-214 has snack ideas but you can also pull from the lunch menu as well. Good luck! 🙂
Heidi, I have a really hard time eating enough food. I used to be anorexix and again I am finding myself back there as far as withholding food. I am not hungry. I was walking 5-7 miles a nite and not losing any weight. How do I do this??? I am not someone who cares for carbs. And when I do eat I find myself full really fast. thanks for any help or suggestions. mary
Hi Heidy,
I’m an italian woman and I would try loosing weight with carb cycling program.
How can I manage it succesfully witout Vemma bod-e products?
Thanks a lot, I really admire you & Chris, you are Heros!!!
I hope to hear from you soon, Cinzia.
The Vemma products are great, but not required. Simply pick a low carb or high carb meal in their place, as appropriate.
Hello Heidi,
I have a question for you about getting five meals in per day. I go to school during the day and I will take like three hours a nap. Then I will go to work at night sometimes it is a eight or ten hours shift. How can I fit in my five meals on a day like that? I sometimes get like 3 to 5 hours to sleep at night when I got off night shift then I will try to take a nap during the day to catch up my sleep. What is your advise on the meals? Thanks!
Start your 5 meals from the time of your “official” morning, and eat the best you can every 3 hours. If you’re late for a meal, simply eat the next meal 3 hours after that.
I go thru massive eating disorders due to an injury from someone else at work .
I had a shoulder surgeryto reattach 3 muscles back inmyshoulder , vertebreas replaced in my neck , my left shoulder that still doesnt feel right , back always tense from impactin my spine from the person plus numb hands..
So routine epadorals injected deep in my nerves of neck back shoulders every other month to keep me some what comfortable and able to move around.
So I go thru massive carb craves from the injections..but also from my monthly cycle , before masssive sugar/salt craves the when I have my cycle I dont eat much then after my cycle I go thru cravings..so my weight yo yos alot…
How do I control this.. plus I take depression medication because of my injury..so i eat
What can I do?
Definitely work with your doctor. Take the food plan in Choose More, Lose More for Life and have him/her work with you on how it will fit. Getting off of the sugary foods can help overall to cut the cravings.
Dear Heidi,
I’m really happy that I found your postings. I’m from Germany and am so thankful for the Carb-Cycling-Plan, as I’m very overweight and have a PCOS. Nobody actually could help me loosing my pounds, so it’s really great to find another option. At the moment I’m translating everything for me…everything seems to be quite clear to me, but I’m still struggeling with the 3 hours-to-eat. I’m a school teacher and I will not have the chance to get out and have some food every 3 hours (can’t leave the kids alone for some food). My times would be (every day) 6.30am- 9.30am-1.30 pm-4.30pm- and 7.30pm otherwise I can’t take my 5 meals. Would you say it’s a problem?
Thank you so much for checking my schedule!!
Daniella
PS.: Have another question about food…would you say milk (1,5%) is protein or carbs (both is nearly the same)?
Milk is a carb. Your schedule sounds good under the circumstances. Good luck!
Hello, I had a quick question. I work shift work as an RN. When I am on my nights at work I do a good job staying on track and eating every 3 hours. When I have my days off (which are not always the same) I find it hard to stay awake and eat all my meals. How detrimental is it to miss some meals if I fall asleep? I know that seems like a silly question but I don’t want it to screw with my metabolism and not see results especially after working so hard. Thanks if you have time to answer. You both are so awesome!
Start your 5 meals from your “official” morning, which may vary depending on what day you’re on shift.