Anything wrong with 3 meals/day?

I know that a lot of people on these forums encourage eating 4, 5, or even 6 times a day to regulate insulin, metabolism, etc. So I was just wondering: Is there actually anything wrong with just eating three square meals a day? I've tried the eating 4,5,6 times a day thing, but I honestly find it really inconvenient. It seems I never have enough food to be full at one sitting because my calories are spread so thinly that way. So can I just eat three meals a day and be fine?? Thanks. 

Yup... You go right ahead!!! lol

It's not about when you eat, it's about how much you eat... As long as you're eating the right amount of calories and you can manage the whole 3 square meals thing, then more power to ya!

Your body is used to the 3 meals thing, so if you want to maintain your weight, continue with your regular 3 square meals. But, if you want to lose weight, I would suggest the 4-5 meal plan.

4 meals is not that difficult. Have at least 1-2 fruits before every meal. Also, have a glass of water. You will feel more satisfied and will not end up eating that much. This way you can distribute your daily calorie intake among 4 meals a day.

That's what I did, and added some green tea twice a day. It works.

The 4-5 meal plan has never worked for me.  Now, while I agree that eating more throughout the day will help keep your metabolism boosted and your blood sugar even, there is more than one way to do that.  I eat 3 meals a day, and I have at least 3 snacks a day, some days more.  All you have to do is make certain that you work your snacks in with your calorie allotment.  The other thing to do is listen to your body.  If I am hungry, I eat!  I am just very careful about what I eat.  Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus many healthy snacks throughout the day, works best for me and my lifestyle.  I stay energized, I'm never tummy rumbling hungry, and I don't have blood sugar dropping "nap attacks" around 3 o'clock in the afternoon like I used to.  The important thing to do is find a method that works for you.

i personally eat three meals a day. I'm maintaining now but when I was dieting... i still ate three meals a day. it really helps me feel full. w/ the 5-6 meals a day thing... i was never full and i always wanted to eat more. it didn't work well w/ me

Nothing wrong with that at all, for "most" people, they find they are less likely to binge or over eat if they are full or at least "satisfied" most of the day.  If you don't get hungry between meals, go for it =)

For me, it doesn't matter how many calories are in my 3 meals, I need a snack before each meal or I feel like my stomach will implode.

There is nothing wrong with three meals a day.  I only eat three meals a day and sometimes I might snack (on health foods), however I do stay within my  calorie range not unless I exercise. Just find what works for you.

The 5-6 meals a day theoretically speeds up your metabolism and helps keep your body in an anabolic state, so you're burning more calories, and your body is never looking towards your muscles to get proteins.  This is by no means necessary for losing weight, but if you lose 1 pound, a larger percentage of that will be from fat on 6 meals a day (theoretically).

I too am one that eats 3 meals a day...But I also include 2-3 snacks as well that are worked into my calorie budget....The 5-6 meals a day didn't work for me either

I only do 3 meals a day and have no snacks before dinner.  I just am not hungry.  I will have snacks at night tho.  I couldn't do the small meal thing either.

I agree with you, It isn't convienient, But it works.  I meal doesn't ahve to be huge, I look at them as more like snacks.  Breakfast lunch and dinner are still my largest meals.  But I will eat fruits or protien bars between meals.  It regulates my energy.  I know you will feel hungry more, but that means it's working because your metbolism is speeding up.  If you do it right you won't be taking in any more calories it is just spreading them out.  It will even out.  But stick with what works for you.

I am a 5-6 meal person, but consider that I also am trying to increase muscle in my body.

ibii, that's a great plan.  Many generations did just fine on 3 meals a day -- and they didn't have the obesity we deal with.

I don't eat 5-6 times a day -- same problem always hungry.  I also need to eat more at one time to feel full. 

As the old saying goes, if it isn't broke, don't fix it.

In my opinion, it's all about doing what works for you.. If you feel that 5-6 meals is inconvenient, then you won't stick to it, and it doesn't work for you..

I'm an elementary school teacher, and therefore don't really have that time to fit in even snacks throughout the day.. I've been eating 3 meals all along, adn have lost over 130 pounds...


There's not magic formula... except burning more calories than you take in :)

I'm one of those who produce too much insulin when I eat.  I feel better if I either:  almost fast all day (The Warrior Diet) or only eat two- three times a day.  If you produce too much insulin, eating frequently will cause you to produce  more insulin which ushers nutrients into you fat cells.  It took me a long time to figure this out.  I had a glucose tolerance test and found out I had reactive hypoglycemia.   I'd tried the 6 meals a day thing which made me starve...at first I thought they 6 meals were really upping my metabolism because I was hungry all the time.  Not...

Sounds like the Atkins' diet would be right?  Not really.  I need some starchy carbs to feel my best.

It's been a real trip, I tell you.  But I have found out there is absolutely no science behind eating X amount of meals a day.  Some naturally thin people only eat once a day and they are perfectly healthy.

I would go with your natural rhythms.  The key is finding how to cut your calories a little and not starve to death.

for weight loss purposes: studies have shown that it doesn't matter when you eat.  (spread out, all at one time or time of day)

it can make a difference for other health reasons, especially if you have a metabolic disorder or illness such as diabetes....  and other studies have shown that spreading food out, eating breakfast, before and/or after exercise can make a difference for other health reasons

but everyone needs to find what works for them based on their own preferences and physical condition...

IMO if you are snacking between meals on anything more than 50calories then you really are kind of eating 5 meals a day.

I still eat my 3 main meals... but my lunch i break up.   I have half of it at 11 or so... then the rest about 2 hours later... and then sometimes a snack (110c Yogurt) in the afternoons or something else.

So technically I'm doing around 5 meals a day.

If you don't have any real health issues other than extra fat... then i'd give the snacking between meals and making your meals smaller a shot.  It can't hurt to try it.

For me breaking lunch apart seems pretty natural.