Does meal size matter?

[onebigpill]

Does a small meal vs a large meal impact (our) D experience? Does a larger meal generally result in a higher likelihood of being a trigger?

[Gabes-Apg]

not sure that large meal will trigger inflammation.

more so I have found that having smaller sized meals, and having the main meal in the middle of the day helps my energy levels and sleep quality.

Some food items are harder to digest and will use more energy so if you have large serve of a hard to digest food item then it is likely to cause minor cramping and fatigue

Ie I can digest well cooked meats way easier than rare steak.
A lot of my meals are done in the slow cooker so the meat is soft, dont need a knife type consistency. Winter here in Australia so lots of shin bones/ osso bucco, lamb shanks, chicken on the bone

[tex]

And another reason why smaller, more frequent meals work better for many of us is because if our intestines are inflamed (which they are, when MC is active) been the small intestine begins to shut down the production of digestive enzymes in a specific order. Lactase is first, so that's why we become lactose intolerant early on, and if the inflammation continues, then the production of other enzymes begins to be compromised. Carbs, especially, are harder to digest, because of the insufficiency of many of these enzymes. Therefore, when this is a problem, eating smaller meals will help to ensure that we don't run out of enzymes before we finish digesting a meal. Everyone's situation is somewhat different, depending upon our degree of inflammation, and our healing status.

Tex

[fredi223]

Thanks for sharing your insights, Gabes and Tex! It makes sense that smaller, more frequent meals could be beneficial, especially when our digestive system is compromised. I've also found that eating smaller meals helps me avoid discomfort and fatigue. The tip about cooking methods, like using a slow cooker, is also really helpful. And Tex, your explanation about digestive enzymes and inflammation is really informative - it's good to understand the underlying mechanisms. Thanks again for your input!

[Catieu]

And if we opt for smaller portions, how many hours do you recommend leaving between them?
Thanks

A big hug

Marta

[tex]

How often we need to eat depends on how much we eat during each meal or snack. We're all different. Eat whenever you're hungry. And remember, every meal or snack should include protein, to help with healing.

Tex