How Many Meals Should You Eat Per Day?

Based on the Individual

In a WebMD feature on medicine.net, Elaine Magee, MPH, RD, LD, drew attention to a better way to think about this issue: rather than sticking to a specific number of meals and snacks per day, think about your individual needs and level of hunger.

Before you eat, ask yourself if you’re hungry, when was the last time you ate, and if your current level of hunger would be satisfied by a small snack. Not sure? Wait twenty minutes and then ask yourself again.

Magee also pointed out that while “nibbling” throughout the day may have some benefits, it can also be very difficult for people who tend to overeat.

Those smaller meals really do need to be small meals, and because it can be hard to stick to small portions, eating six or nine or twelve meals per day may just be an opportunity to consume extra calories that will hinder a weight loss or maintenance effort.

Ultimately, weight loss comes down to how many calories you take in versus how many you spend in a given day, not how many times a day you ingest those calories.

If you can learn to read your body’s hunger signals and only eat when you’re truly hungry, you will likely eat healthier than if you simply stick to a schedule without understanding your individual needs.

How many meals per day do you eat? Share your experience with fasting, nibbling, or sticking to three square meals per day in the comments section!

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