Are your tropical meal times different ?

[manofthecoldland]

Most meal times are dictated by work schedules. If you are retired and free or clock restrictions, have your eating periods changed very much?  If so, do you think the tropical climate, your activity level or age factor in to a greater or lesser degree?  Have you found factors here in the PI that also may affect when you eat?  Have you changed your normal dietary patterns due to health or availability of items to much of a degree.

I have found that all of the above applies to my individual circumstances.  Any thoughts or insights?

Edited September 16, 2020 by manofthecoldland

[jimeve]

53 minutes ago, manofthecoldland said:

Most meal times are dictated by work schedules. If you are retired and free or clock restrictions, have your eating periods changed very much?  If so, do you think the tropical climate, your activity level or age factor in to a greater or lesser degree?  Have you found factors here in the PI that also may affect when you eat?  Have you changed your normal dietary patterns due to health or availability of items to much of a degree.

I have found that all of the above applies to my individual circumstances.  Any thoughts or insights?

I have my breakfast round about 9 am, lunch about 2 pm, dinner about 7 pm. Then 8 pm beer time. So it's not changed much for me since retiring. When I was working the eating times was 1 hour earlier than now.

[scott h]

3 hours ago, manofthecoldland said:

Have you found factors here in the PI that also may affect when you eat

For me it is not so much the tropics, it is retirement

coffee in the morning, eat Lunch at noon, Dinner 8ish 

[graham59]

I am retired, and  have kept to pretty much the same routine as I had when back in the UK.

I also cook for myself.

I am already 'slim' at all times, but here in the tropics, I lose a lot of weight. No idea why, but I don't like looking like a POW. :(

[Dave Hounddriver]

6 hours ago, jimeve said:

When I was working the eating times was 1 hour earlier than now.

Well that's because you used to set the clocks back an hour 

[Tommy T.]

12 hours ago, manofthecoldland said:

I have found that all of the above applies to my individual circumstances.  Any thoughts or insights?

I am considered weird in a few ways... I'll admit that right away.

I also have rarely eaten on a schedule that most people advocate. I rarely eat before noon. When I wake up, I simply want coffee - black. Unlike L and most people, I just do not wake up hungry.

Sometimes I will cook and eat a lunch, but I really am not hungry then. I prefer to eat one large meal in the late afternoon - say 3 pm or so? I know it is healthier to eat more, small meals in a day, especially early...but... What I sometimes do, but try to avoid, is eating a big meal after 6 pm... I know that is unhealthy and then I feel uncomfortable nearing bedtime.

I always thought the Germans and other Europeans had it figured out right - eat the big meal of the day at or near noon and then take a nap. Eat smaller meals, if desired for breakfast and at "dinner" time... Beer? Hmmm maybe any time you are thirsty? I watched construction workers in Germany guzzling beer from noon onwards and the buildings somehow went up straight and are still standing... Here?..... No comment...

So back to your original comment and question... I do not eat as regularly as when I was younger, living in USA and working. So retirement and living in the tropics have affected my eating habits - and not in a bad way!

I will add these comments too:

L is hungry from lunchtime onwards... She wants to eat something substantial for lunch. Then, at about 3 pm or so, she wants "snacks" which can be a fairly big meal with rice and whatever else is available. Then it's dinnertime at about 6 pm or so. I resist the snacks and risk her wrath about why I don't eat...but I just don't want to eat all day. I have thin arms and legs and a growing midsection... she wants to see the arms and legs get bigger and it just won't happen - never did my entire life and won't happen now...

Edited September 16, 2020 by Tommy T.

[Mike J]

8 hours ago, graham59 said:

I am retired, and  have kept to pretty much the same routine as I had when back in the UK.

I also cook for myself.

I am already 'slim' at all times, but here in the tropics, I lose a lot of weight. No idea why, but I don't like looking like a POW. :(

Maybe it's because you are a bad cook.   Sorry - just could not help myself. 

[expatuk2014]

With me its breakfast whenever i wake up , breakfast could be instant noodles or cheese on toast or cereals, lunch around 11am, dinner around 5-6pm i eat,fish ( Blue Marlin or Flounder )  US Burgers or Hotdogs, drink wise we brew our own coffee and we also drink 3 in 1. I drink on average 2 litres of water a day, 3-4 cups of coffee,1 can pepsi and 1 bottle of beer with the odd whiskey. I also eat on aveage 2 cakes a day ( doughnuts or cheesecake, or others ) weight wisw whatever i eat i stay the same weight ! Average 145 llbs. Wife cooks me Beef and Broccoli, Shepards pies, Beef and Potatos, and she makes things like Cinnamon rolls,Cordon Bleu. We often eat out as well 

[Jake]

Perhaps it's a left over from the Spanish culture where I usually take an afternoon siesta after a heavy lunch.  It's hot anyway in the afternoon and then a late supper around 8PM.  Throughout the day however, my wife has multiple meriendas, mostly desserts.  And of course, palutans (finger food) sometimes compliment my afternoon pig out and then a senior citizen nap.  

Just right after sunrise, I like to take a short walk (Batangas City) to my favorite cafe with their famous tapsilog breakfast and reading PDI newspaper.  Life was good back then until the in laws self invite themselves.  
 

[Snowy79]

Never been a big eater but for some reason I'll never be skinny, must be my genetics.  I'm not hungry in the morning just grabbing a coffee then off for a run along the beach about 9km.  Sometimes not eating until late afternoon. If I do have a proper meal it's usually late evening. Even in the UK I'd remember about 9pm that I've not eaten yet. 

My partner can't get her head around me as I'm always active, up about 5am and only sleeping 4 to 5hrs per day and she eats more than me.  I'm 96kg she's about 45kg.