Let’s whip out the migrating motor complex discussion.

Updated in 2021.

This post first published in 2017 when I started practicing meal spacing for SIBO. It was a practice I heard so much about, but one I resisted for a very long time.

Because the discussion has now become more popular (also because I have healed since I first wrote this post!), it was time for me to update and give more information.

Migrating Motor Complex

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What Does MMC stand for?

MMC = migrating motor complex

The MMC acts as a “sweep” through the digestive tract. Think of it as housekeeping. Once activated, it “sweeps” through, cleaning up residual undigested material through the digestive tube.

However, it can only be activated if you’re allowing at least 90 – 120 minutes between eating. As soon as you eat again, it stops.

What is MMC?

The migrating motor complex (MMC) is a cyclic, recurring motility pattern that occurs in the stomach and small bowel during fasting; it is interrupted by feeding.

There are various lengths of time presented for “how long to wait in between feedings,” but we do know that four phases combine for the MMC cycle.

According to Science Direct, the total duration is 84 – 112 minutes. 

The reason you see anywhere from 90 minutes – 4 hours suggested as appropriate meal spacing length is due to individual factors.

Thus, like everything else with gut healing, you’ll need to practice, test, and be meticulous with your recording to see what works for you personally.

And this is why you’ll note in the 90-day gut healing journal key my symbol and instructions for recording meal spacing. Grab the journal below and/or the e-version, PDF download, HERE.

So what counts as “disruption” to the cycle

Similar to intermittent fasting, anything with calories is thought to disrupt the migrating motor complex. In other words unless it’s water, black coffee, herbal teas, or the like, the MMC is likely being disrupted.

Sources: HERE and HERE.

Alright, let’s chat about the practical applications for the migrating motor complex.

Snacking

I love to snack all. day. long. In fact, if it were up to me, I’d never sit down for a full meal and instead just munch throughout the day.

But by doing this, I never felt all that full, and my energy levels were too up and down. 

So here’s exactly what I did to practice meal spacing for SIBO.

Meal Spacing for SIBO

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1. It all starts with dinner.

   I try to eat dinner each night no later than 6 pm. For us, this works because I work from home (and Ryan is almost always home by 5 pm the days he travels), and our kids are screaming for dinner right around 5-5:30 pm. It takes a little planning, but as long as I plan the night’s dinner first thing that morning (or even the night before), it’s easy peasy squeezy.

   Take last night for example. We had baked chicken drummies and root vegetables. I threw them all in the oven around 4 pm so that around 5 pm, dinner would be ready to go. 

2. And then I’m done for the night.

   No, I didn’t just have chicken drummies and root vegetables (although this is enough some nights). I also had a salad, coconut oil, and some other fixin’s. Once the main dinner was over, and because I love “dessert,” I grabbed my spoon and had enjoyed Carrot Cake Walnut Butter.

   But after the entire meal was over, I was done. I didn’t go back in the kitchen to nibble more and more, and then grab a spoonful of something here and there right before bed. Just done.

3. 12-14 hour fast.

   As long as I’m done eating dinner by 6 pm, and don’t eat breakfast until around 8 am the next morning, my body has just completed a 14-hour fast……without really trying. I know that’s it a big thing these days to do Intermittent Fasting for weight loss, but with a low-functioning Thyroid and “adrenal fatigue,” I don’t believe in the practice as most people do it (which is to not eat until like 11-12pm, and then on top of it have certain days where they eat more carbs, less carbs, etc., etc.)

   No judgement towards those who choose to intermittent fast rigorously, but the goal with a 12-14 hour fast for those with SIBO is to just let give the digestive system a long resting period. I do have coffee and water first thing in the morning, but no food. 

4. Breakfast.

   Around 8 am I eat breakfast, aka breaking the fast. And I eat a lot (just like dinner). Lately, we have been obsessed with eggs and breakfast sausage, so I’ll have that (probably 2-3 eggs and 3-5 mini breakfast sausage links) and as often as I can, sautéed greens. 

5. Lunch.

   After breakfast, I’m done again until 12:30-1 pm. My goal is to keep 2 – 4 hours between meals. I used to nosh all morning long, but have nixed this. Lunch is usually leftovers from the night before or a jumbo salad like the one I had yesterday.

6. Snack.

   And this is the only time I might have a snack throughout the day, but not always. I’ve been digging various Paleo bars lately, so I’ll have one of these many days in between lunch and dinner. That said, yesterday I just wrapped it into lunch, and then was so full I didn’t eat again until dinner.

7. Dinner.

   And then it’s back to dinner. 

Incredible Changes

I saw and continue to see incredible changes by practicing (both) intermittent fasting and meal spacing.

In fact, it’s a true gut healing hack because it requires almost nothing except a little time.

Question: Do you practice meal spacing? How has it worked for you? If not, are you interested in giving it a shot?

If you liked this post, you might also enjoy:

1. Does Meal Spacing for SIBO Work?
2. A Gutsy Girl’s Bible
3. Master Guide to Prokinetics

Xox,
SKH