Feeding Cycles

Here's a neat research paper that got me thinking about what's the natural feeding cycle for humans.  The abstract is worth posting here:

"Nonhuman animals in captivity manifest behaviors and physiological conditions that are not common in the wild. Lions in captivity face problems of obesity, inactivity, and stereotypy. To mediate common problems of captive lions, this study implemented a gorge and fast feeding schedule that better models naturalistic patterns: African lions (Panthera leo) gradually adapted from a conventional feeding program to a random gorge and fast feeding schedule. Digestibility increased significantly and food intake and metabolizable energy intake correspondingly decreased. Lions also showed an increase in appetitive active behaviors, no increase in agonistic behavior, and paced half as frequently on fast days as on feeding days. Thus, switching captive lions to a gorge and fast feeding schedule resulted in improved nutritional status and increased activity."

Comments

[Chris H]

Matt - is this the direction of your thinking then - gorge and fast?

Sounds interesting.

[Matt Metzgar]

Chris, to some degree yes, but I'm trying to get the whole framework right: everything from lean days to feast days and the corresponding number of meals for each day.