How many meals a day?

United States
October 11, 2012 8:09am CST
I've heard a lot of people say that 3 meals a day is good but that 6 small meals a day is best. I've done both and think that the 6 small deals a day is whats best for me as far as living healthy. I excersize everyday, eat 6 small meals and make sure that in those meals i have my vegetables and fruit. Lately i've heard that those 6 small meals a day may become 9, but i dont understand why 9? anybody have a clue?
1 person likes this
9 responses
@wongchoiyee (7413)
• Malaysia
11 Oct 12
I take 2 big and 1 small meals for a day, I feel that it is right for me, but I wonder is it true 9 meals are the best? Maybe its just part of the researchers idea. In your meals it is important to have veges and meats, plus some fruits cutting. This will make sure you have enough nutrients.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
11 Oct 12
Hi! i haven't heard about the 9 meals a day. But I am sure small frequent meals a day is better than 3 big meals :D
1 person likes this
@GemmaR (8517)
12 Oct 12
At the end of the day, the only thing that really matters is that you have enough energy to see you through the day. The only thing that is better about eating six smaller meals per day is the fact that you are more likely to stay away from snacking on bad foods between meals as there is never much time in between your meals. But the majority of people don't have the time to be able to sit and eat six different things during the day, which is why most just choose to have one main meal in the evening and then two smaller meals during the day.
• United States
11 Oct 12
6 meals a day isnt the right think at all. Its three meals a day and a snack in between your three meals and a snack after your dinner. Not sure if this is correct either but your three meals of course should be healthy ones no fast food and junk food of course. Now your snacks should be a fruit or something of that nature. 6 meals is to much to eat for someone a day and way to many carbs as well. You have to think with your brain not with your stomach.
@agent807 (751)
• United States
13 Oct 12
When I was playing football, taking up weightlifting as a hobby, and working moving heavy stuff all day, I was constantly eating, all day. I admit, some meals were heavy, and some were not as heavy, but none were ever light. On average, I was having about 8 meals a day, some cases were up to 10 if I was working hard enough to burn through that much food. The calorie intake must have been the sum of one for a family because I was eating as much food in one day as a family. I can see how easy it is for a person to eat 8,9, or 10 meals a day, if they have a body that is going through food that fast. For the average person, this is not possible. 9 meals a day might be a bit much for a person who cannot burn that food off, unless your body has an insane metabolism, or you are carrying a lot of muscle that you are feeding the muscle before you feed your stomach. As for me, the three meals a day bit, I abandoned that a long time ago. I would have my third meal by 10-11 am. I only ate this much food because I worked hard all day, and since my body has a lot of muscle, it takes quite a bit of fuel. Not to mention I am a big fella wearing this much muscle. It was only a matter of being able to afford my appetite, or at least financing it.
@aireanna18 (1914)
• United States
15 Oct 12
I think part of it depends upon your lifestyle. For some people they are accustomed to the 3 meals and eat larger meals. Other people prefer to eat more often and smaller meals. I think the key is finding what works for your lifestyle. What is healthy for you may be different than what is healthy for another person. Think about this point...we all are trying to eat healthy...some want to cut down portion sizes...some need more meat in the diet...some need more veggies...and etcetra. Think of more the overall principals and make small tweaks to the way that you eat to improve your healthy eating habbits.
@laglen (19759)
• United States
11 Oct 12
No idea about the 9. But the amount of meals would be determined for each person. Everybody is different. There is no way I could do 6 meals a day. I am lucky to get one in. Two on a good day. I wake up at about 5 or 6 am and not hungry till about noonish. so that is usually my main meal then something lighter later.
@khaezi (1001)
• Philippines
11 Oct 12
I haven't heard of it until now...never had a clue that eating more than 3 meals a day is healthy...i sometimes eat 2x a day or sometimes 1x..but i sleep longer though especially when i'm tired of work..
@lynnes75 (443)
• Malaysia
11 Oct 12
I don't know about the 9, this is the first time I'm hearing of it. Anyway, what works best for you and your health. The main meals would be three, as I understand it: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. With coffee-break, high-tea and supper thrown in for those who need them or want them. So yes, that would be 6. Three big meals, and three small ones :D Don't forget to exercise regularly for healthy living ;)