At the risk of stating the obvious:
Human beings are not designed to have 3+ meals per day.
Three meals per day is a habit not a necessity, and I would argue it’s a bad habit at that. The nice, lovely feeling of “not being fucking hungry” that most of us have grown extremely accustomed to, is not an optimal state for work, study or play (or, y’know, ideally all three together). Food sort of acts like a sedative: the feeling of being full tends to make us slow, lazy and complacent. Simply put, when we are full, we feel like we don’t have to work for it. Hunger drives ambition and periods of actual, physical hunger is an important and effective driver at that.
My advice for the food & snack addicts: try fasting for a short period of time, whatever you’re comfortable with, anywhere from 12 to 72 hours. Do not eat anything for that period, only have water, perhaps tea or coffee (without milk or sugar) - although I will admit, I have had bits of dark chocolate during my 72 hour fasts. Pay attention to how you’re feeling, your energy, ambition and focusing abilities. If you’re used to constantly eating or having snacks, you will get strong urges to eat - don’t give in. Not having any snacks lying around makes it a lot easier. After you resist the initial habitual desire to eat as soon as you feel any signs of peckishness, your body will adjust to the situation and realize - oh, actually, I don’t really need to eat right now - after that it becomes much easier to notice and control that emotion.
Try increasing the lengths of your fasts as your body adjusts - and again, notice the changes in the way you feel and the way you think.
My experience has been: higher and more stable levels of energy and drive; I’ve become even more selective of what, when and how I eat; much clearer thinking (especially when diet is low-carb & low sugar); more time & money since I’m not wasting either on eating stuff I don’t need; easier to achieve and keep better form - both mentally and physically.
As an added bonus, when you finally do eat, you will fully enjoy and cherish that food. A real sense of gratitude is all but guaranteed.
Spotify
Hungry
Rob Bailey & The Hustle Standard · Battle Tested · Song · 2012
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