Every morning, you head straight from your bed to the kitchen. You immediately fill a bowl with cereal. Once you eat breakfast, you start packing a lunch you’ll eat at exactly 12:30 P.M. Upon arriving home from work, you’ll prepare a dinner that you’ll consume at approximately 7:00 P.M. Does this scenario sound familiar? If you’re like many people, you consume three meals at roughly the same times every day. However, have you ever pondered the reason for this daily ritual?
Several hundred years ago, people didn’t follow the three meals a day rule. In fact, Native Americans employed a practical approach to food. They ate when they were hungry. The three meals per day concept originated with Englanders who achieved financial prosperity. European settlers brought their eating habits with them to America. Unfortunately, practicing antiquated, meal etiquette often causes you to consume calories when you’re not hungry. To lose weight and keep it off for life, allow your hunger, instead of societal norms, to guide when you eat. You might find eating six, small meals a day works best for you. Or, you may decide eating two, large meals combined with a substantial snack is your preference.
Eat Healthy Regardless of the Mealtime
In addition to bucking societal norms about how many meals you eat each day, don’t be shy about consuming healthy foods associated with particular meals whenever you crave them. For instance, your hectic schedule might prevent you from preparing an entrée and multiple side dishes each night. Instead of grabbing a burger and fries at your favorite, fast-food restaurant when you’re short on time, consider preparing traditional, breakfast fare such as:
- A poached egg
- A whole grain bagel with lox, low-fat cream cheese, a tomato slice, and red onion
- Two slices of whole wheat toast topped with peanut butter and bananas
At the end of the day, the amount of calories you consumed is more important than when and how you consumed them. If you’re interested in revamping your approach to food, consider scheduling a free, initial appointment with a consultant at a Metabolic Research Center near you. The knowledgeable consultants at the Metabolic Research Center realize one size doesn’t fit all.
FAQs
In one sense, it all comes down to math: The average adult human requires 2,000 calories per day, and you're only awake for so many hours. "Across all peer-reviewed research and health practices, three meals a day is a general recommendation to encourage consistent, adequate energy intake," Miluk said.
Where did the idea of three meals a day come from? ›
The three meals per day concept originated with Englanders who achieved financial prosperity. European settlers brought their eating habits with them to America. Unfortunately, practicing antiquated, meal etiquette often causes you to consume calories when you're not hungry.
Are humans supposed to eat three meals a day? ›
How many meals a day should we eat to achieve and maintain a healthy weight? Most of us were taught to have “three square meals” a day. But having more smaller meals throughout the day can help balance out our hunger and calories.
Is it okay to only eat two meals a day? ›
The optimal number of meals one should have per day totally depends on the individual. Some do well with lots of little ones. Others prefer larger meals, less often. The two meal a day diet has gained popularity over the years amongst those trying to lose weight.
Is it okay to eat one meal a day? ›
Eating one meal a day can increase your blood pressure and cholesterol. This occurred in a group of healthy adults who switched to one meal a day to participate in a study. If you already have concerns in either area, eating just once a day might not be safe. Eating one meal late can cause your blood sugar to spike.
Is 3 meals a day healthy? ›
"Across all peer-reviewed research and health practices, three meals a day is a general recommendation to encourage consistent, adequate energy intake," Miluk said.
How many meals a day did Native Americans eat? ›
Most tribes had sustained healthy diets for centuries before the European settlers changed everything. The majority of tribes enjoyed one to two meals a day with littler regularity in scheduling. Tribes were sustained by agriculture or a hunter/gatherer lifestyle; many tribes used a combination of both.
How many meals a day are healthiest? ›
Therefore, the intake of two (or three) meals per day is perhaps the best option, and the difference between two or three could depend on the length of the daily fasting period they produce.
Are humans meant to eat one meal a day? ›
Eating one meal a day is unlikely to give you the calories and nutrients your body needs to thrive unless carefully planned. Choosing to eat within a longer time period may help you increase your nutrient intake. If you do choose to try out eating one meal a day, you probably shouldn't do it 7 days a week.
What happens if you don't eat 3 meals? ›
Skipping meals: Causes the body to lower its metabolism (how much energy it needs to function) Causes us to burn less energy (fewer calories) Can lead us to gain weight when we eat our usual amount of food Leaves us with little energy because the body has run out of the fuel we get from food Leaves us sluggish and ...
Most cultures in the world eat about every six hours with three main meals that correspond to breakfast, lunch and dinner – varying in how abudant each meal is.
How many times should I eat a day to lose belly fat? ›
Authors Liz Vaccariello and Cynthia Sass, MPH, RD, claim that in 32 days, you can lose up to 15 pounds and drop belly fat by following their plan: Eat 400 calories per meal, four times per day (daily total: 1,600). Don't go longer than 4 hours without eating.
What should be the biggest meal of the day for weight loss? ›
Even if you can't eat an early dinner, you should try to make breakfast and lunch your biggest meals of the day and dinner your smallest.
How to lose 10 pounds in a week? ›
To lose 10 pounds in one week, you'll need to burn between 3,500 and 5,000 calories more than you consume each day by restricting your diet to small portions of nutritious yet low-calorie foods, and significantly increasing your aerobic exercise with interval training, sports, and other vigorous activities.
Which celebrities eat one meal a day? ›
Fans of Omad include Bruce Springsteen and Coldplay frontman Chris Martin. Many proponents of Omad claim it helps them better manage their weight and keep fit.
Is it healthy to eat eggs every day? ›
Most healthy adults can eat 1-2 eggs per day or up to seven eggs per week. Eggs are a great source of protein and are packed with vitamins and minerals.
When did the three meals a day model start? ›
During the Industrial Revolution of the 19th century, however, with its normalization of working hours, the habit of having both breakfast and lunch developed – as a pre-working meal plus a break at half-day, leading to current habit of three daily meals.
Where did the 3 course meal originate? ›
The three-course meal originated in Persia by a person known as Ziryab. This Persian man made many strides in dining that have greatly influenced the modern restaurant experience. He invented the tablecloth and encouraged people to use glassware at dinner.
When was the 3 day diet created? ›
The 3-day military diet is another fad diet, dating back to 1985. Copies of the "3-day diet" continue to float around cyberspace, promising quick weight loss, cleansing, lowered cholesterol, and increased energy.
How many meals did Romans eat a day? ›
Typically, the Romans ate three meals a day. Originally, the Romans had a small breakfast called the ientaculum in the morning and then a huge meal called the cena around two in the afternoon, then another small meal called the vesperna later on in the night.
