how many meals do you eat/day

[kiwibacon]

Curious how many times per day people eat.
Personally I only eat 3 now. Used to eat 5.

[Iceberg]

What do you consider eating?

[kiwibacon]

What do you consider eating?

hmmmm.

Consuming 200 cals or more?

[tarmyg]

1-2 meals per day for me while cutting. 3-6 while bulking.

[Iceberg]

200+ prob 6-7 I'm a big eater with no weight gain

[Times Roman]

I try to eat every two to three hours. has nothing to do with the metabolic effect of the frequency of eating.

I just don't like to put that much into my stomach all at once, yet I do eat a lot over the course of the day

[Khazima]

Usually 3 big meals a day and a bunch of snacks in between but recently i've been having to time meals about 4 hours apart due to using GHRP/H's and needing to have fasted for 2-3 hours then wait 20 mins after. So it's been 3 big meals then a few snacks after dinner then fast till before bed.

[fitnesstrainer]

At least 6 times a day. Keep the metabolic rate up.

[Buster Brown]

6 to 7 meals a day during the week while I a training. On the weekends I am a bit more flexible.

[Docd187123]

3-4 times a day usually.

[Bio-Active]

The only way for me to consume the clean calories that I need is to eat 7-8 meals ed. Otherwise it would just be to much food per sitting

[Khazima]

At least 6 times a day. Keep the metabolic rate up.

This is a myth, eating more often doesn't necessarily keep your metabolic rate up, the myth derives from your metabolism speeding up to digest the food you've just eaten but it does this for many hours after you've eaten and varies massively depending on individualism and the foods you ate.

There is no notable different between eating 2x a day and 6x a day.

[Buster Brown]

This is a myth, eating more often doesn't necessarily keep your metabolic rate up, the myth derives from your metabolism speeding up to digest the food you've just eaten but it does this for many hours after you've eaten and varies massively depending on individualism and the foods you ate.

There is no notable different between eating 2x a day and 6x a day.

Then why aren't you eating twice a day?

[kelkel]

There is no notable different between eating 2x a day and 6x a day.

Got me curious Khaz. I'll preface this by saying I don't usually post in here as I've never gotten into nutrition in depth the way you guys do, and I respect you and Docd's intellect in this arena. That said my only question is this, can you name one pro bodybuilder that was successful eating two times per day? I understand your logic but where are the results to that theory. I'd be interested in hearing from you two on this. Teach my old ass something in this arena. Trust me, I'm not arguing nutrition as It would not be a fair fight for me, just curious about your thoughts.

[Docd187123]

Then why aren't you eating twice a day?

Sometimes I just eat once a day when time isn't on my side

[Cody95]

Curious how many times per day people eat.
Personally I only eat 3 now. Used to eat 5.

7-8 small meals, I have a small appetite so I eat alot of meals. Plus the more meals the better for your metabolism.

[Khazima]

Then why aren't you eating twice a day?

Because I prefer a few 600-800 calorie meals rather than two 1500 meals and it's what I'm accustomed to.

Got me curious Khaz. I'll preface this by saying I don't usually post in here as I've never gotten into nutrition in depth the way you guys do, and I respect you and Docd's intellect in this arena. That said my only question is this, can you name one pro bodybuilder that was successful eating two times per day? I understand your logic but where are the results to that theory. I'd be interested in hearing from you two on this. Teach my old ass something in this arena. Trust me, I'm not arguing nutrition as It would not be a fair fight for me, just curious about your thoughts.

Generally I'd say most of them have to eat to much and same as me prefer to space it out for smoother digestion and not feeling sluggish for a while after eating but this myth is still very much around and believed so a lot of them probably do it thinking of the 'metabolic fire'.

[Buster Brown]

Sometimes I just eat once a day when time isn't on my side

I bet your fun to be with on those days.

[Buster Brown]

Well.... for my money any successful diet plan that I have ever seen or tried has always advocated at least 5 small meals a day. If its results I am after and not pure survival then small meals are the way to go.

[Docd187123]

Got me curious Khaz. I'll preface this by saying I don't usually post in here as I've never gotten into nutrition in depth the way you guys do, and I respect you and Docd's intellect in this arena. That said my only question is this, can you name one pro bodybuilder that was successful eating two times per day? I understand your logic but where are the results to that theory. I'd be interested in hearing from you two on this. Teach my old ass something in this arena. Trust me, I'm not arguing nutrition as It would not be a fair fight for me, just curious about your thoughts.

If you want to talk about a pro bodybuilder you have to think about the rest of the context of their diet program. 2 cycles ago I got up to 220lbs and needed 4500-4700calories to maintain the weight at that point. A 250lb BB @ 8-12% would likely need even more calories than that. Let's say 5000-6000 hypothetically. How many people can take in that many calories, let's also assume 300+g of protein the macro with the highest satiety, in just one meal? I know I've pigged out a few times and was able to eat several thousand calories in a meal but I felt like a bloated whale afterwards. Far easier for most to break that down into smaller meals.

meal frequency does in fact matter but not bc of any direct impact on metabolism, body composition, nor anabolic /catabolic markers. It is a matter of personal preference which will possibly impact the above through indirect measures. If you feel better and have a better workout when you eat 6meals as opposed to 2, by all means do what works best. Just realize it won't impact your metabolism or body comp in any way. It let's you have a better workout Nd the better workiut helps everything else.

The average thermic effect of a mixed meal is roughly 10% of calories consumed. Assume a 3000cal diet

6 meals at 500 cals each so 500cals x .10 x 6 meals = 300cals burned from TEF
2 meals at 1500cals each so 1500cals x .10 x 2meals = 300cals burned from TEF

Finally I think most pro bb's are just too ingrained with the idea if more meals means faster metabolism. Every supplement company out there preaches this, many so called dietary experts, many people on forums and in gyms. It has become "common knowledge" but only bc it gets repeated so many times it must be the only way or it has to be right. The evidence about meal frequency is out there it just gets drowned out in the noise of everything else.

Bottom line is there's no one plan is best for anyone. If you need 3000cals to bulk maybe you prefer 2meLs maybe you prefer 8. If you're bulking on 5000cals you may not be able to eat it in 2 meals and you may need 6. You train better fasted while I train better with a full stomach or vice versa, you may prefer keto while I prefer carb cycling, you may like eating less meals on a cut whereas I may like more. The possibilities are endless. The point is to find what works best with you and your lifestyle bc the differences of each approach are negligible once you have the basics down.

[Docd187123]

I bet your fun to be with on those days.

I'm no different except my friend at work says I have my hungry face on when I eat like that lol.

[kelkel]

If you want to talk about a pro bodybuilder you have to think about the rest of the context of their diet program. 2 cycles ago I got up to 220lbs and needed 4500-4700calories to maintain the weight at that point. A 250lb BB @ 8-12% would likely need even more calories than that. Let's say 5000-6000 hypothetically. How many people can take in that many calories, let's also assume 300+g of protein the macro with the highest satiety, in just one meal? I know I've pigged out a few times and was able to eat several thousand calories in a meal but I felt like a bloated whale afterwards. Far easier for most to break that down into smaller meals.

meal frequency does in fact matter but not bc of any direct impact on metabolism, body composition, nor anabolic /catabolic markers. It is a matter of personal preference which will possibly impact the above through indirect measures. If you feel better and have a better workout when you eat 6meals as opposed to 2, by all means do what works best. Just realize it won't impact your metabolism or body comp in any way. It let's you have a better workout Nd the better workiut helps everything else.

The average thermic effect of a mixed meal is roughly 10% of calories consumed. Assume a 3000cal diet

6 meals at 500 cals each so 500cals x .10 x 6 meals = 300cals burned from TEF
2 meals at 1500cals each so 1500cals x .10 x 2meals = 300cals burned from TEF

Finally I think most pro bb's are just too ingrained with the idea if more meals means faster metabolism. Every supplement company out there preaches this, many so called dietary experts, many people on forums and in gyms. It has become "common knowledge" but only bc it gets repeated so many times it must be the only way or it has to be right. The evidence about meal frequency is out there it just gets drowned out in the noise of everything else.

Bottom line is there's no one plan is best for anyone. If you need 3000cals to bulk maybe you prefer 2meLs maybe you prefer 8. If you're bulking on 5000cals you may not be able to eat it in 2 meals and you may need 6. You train better fasted while I train better with a full stomach or vice versa, you may prefer keto while I prefer carb cycling, you may like eating less meals on a cut whereas I may like more. The possibilities are endless. The point is to find what works best with you and your lifestyle bc the differences of each approach are negligible once you have the basics down.

I never thought of it for metabolism purposes, more just for overall caloric consumption. Appreciate the answer doc. Well said as usual.

[davidtheman100]

I eat 3 big meals and 3-4 small meals a day. I'm usually fine with that, even though it's alot of food. Sometimes when i'm lagging, and have two of those meals close to eachother i'll eat double the portions etc. and that works for me. At that point, it can be kind of gross-feeling and hard to do despite the fact that i have a huge appetite. Alot of the times i feel like i'm eating too much food, but on the scale and when i am roughly estimating the calories it's right around where it should be for my goals. So i'm okay with that. Tough to bulk and count calories during basketball season, when you don't know how many you've burned during games and practices. I just start off with 6-7 meals, figure out the calories, and see how i look and weigh within a month and a half or so and adjust accordingly i eat pretty much the same things all day everyday so it makes it that much easier.

[Docd187123]

I never thought of it for metabolism purposes, more just for overall caloric consumption. Appreciate the answer doc. Well said as usual.

Which is why I normally eat 3-4 meals. Fewer and I deal with hunger pangs more often and any more and I feel like I don't have a life bc I'm always tied to heating up some food and eating it at inconvenient times plus it sometimes backfires and makes me hungrier.

[fitnesstrainer]

This is a myth, eating more often doesn't necessarily keep your metabolic rate up, the myth derives from your metabolism speeding up to digest the food you've just eaten but it does this for many hours after you've eaten and varies massively depending on individualism and the foods you ate. There is no notable different between eating 2x a day and 6x a day.

Not true but what ever. Not really gonna argue what's in my text book with some people on the Internet.

[tarmyg]

Not true but what ever. Not really gonna argue what's in my text book with some people on the Internet.

Feel free to quote your textbook and reference it here as I am always willing to learn more.

[uhit]

3 main meals with 2 smaller meals (snacks, but they're just smaller portions of the main meals)

So pretty much what every average joe does.

[GirlyGymRat]

If body can only use 30 grams of protein,how does eating one or 2 per day support muscle gains?

[fitnesstrainer]

If body can only use 30 grams of protein,how does eating one or 2 per day support muscle gains?

Now that is a huge myth. The body can definitely use more protein than that. If that was true there wouldn't be 400lb strongmen and 280lb body builders.

[Cody95]

If body can only use 30 grams of protein,how does eating one or 2 per day support muscle gains?

Lol..

[Docd187123]

If body can only use 30 grams of protein,how does eating one or 2 per day support muscle gains?

The body can use more than 30g of protein.

[Docd187123]

Not true but what ever. Not really gonna argue what's in my text book with some people on the Internet.

If you are going to say something please say it only if you are willing to expand on it. Don't just make a silly claim and finish off with "not gonna argue with ppl on the internet". If you can't or won't back your claim with the slightest bit of info then it's better left unsaid IMO.

[*mikro*]

I bet your fun to be with on those days.

haha lol

[Rida5d]

If you are going to say something please say it only if you are willing to expand on it. Don't just make a silly claim and finish off with "not gonna argue with ppl on the internet". If you can't or won't back your claim with the slightest bit of info then it's better left unsaid IMO.

^^ respect doc ..

2 meals or 10 .. What matters is the total calorie intake of the day..

Cals in less than tdee = caloric deficit , fat/weight/muscle loss
Cals in more than tdee= caloric surplus , weigh/muscle/fat gain

Fitnesstrainer, If you are a fitness trainer , better change ur ideas about nutrition..

[fitnesstrainer]

If you are going to say something please say it only if you are willing to expand on it. Don't just make a silly claim and finish off with "not gonna argue with ppl on the internet". If you can't or won't back your claim with the slightest bit of info then it's better left unsaid IMO.

It's a good thing I don't care about your opinion lol. Pardon me if I don't feel the need to explain myself to random strangers on an Internet forum. I stated I disagreed with him saying I'm wrong. Don't feel the need to take it further than that.....

[fitnesstrainer]

^^ respect doc .. 2 meals or 10 .. What matters is the total calorie intake of the day.. Cals in less than tdee = caloric deficit , fat/weight/muscle loss Cals in more than tdee= caloric surplus , weigh/muscle/fat gain Fitnesstrainer, If you are a fitness trainer , better change ur ideas about nutrition..

What I do works for my clients. If you do something different that's up to you.

[davidtheman100]

It's a good thing I don't care about your opinion lol. Pardon me if I don't feel the need to explain myself to random strangers on an Internet forum.

But you have taken the time to post multiple comments beating around the bush. Can you please elaborate, as i'm actually interested in what you have to say? What's the point in commenting on the post, if you're just going to hold back the knowledge you have in this area and topic? Instead of telling to everybody and informing them about it? Unless it's not true?

[Rida5d]

What I do works for my clients. If you do something different that's up to you.

It's not about what works for me or you..
It's just science and body mechanism ..

Let one of ur customers eats 10 meals while his total caloric intake is over his tdee .. And let's see how his metabolism will speed up, and lose weight.

[zempey]

I eat 4-5 large meals and 3-4 liquid or snack meals. The liquid are pre and post shakes and before bed shake, I will eat some snacks like fruit, nuts, or grab some leftover meat out of the fridge. At 270lbs it is a chore to eat enough, probably not as bad as a shorter person at my weight, but a pain just the same. I love when I hear guys say "I eat a lot, definitely enough but can't gain any weight", to eat for size is very difficult for an average person. When I did my first cycle I forced myself to eat, 3 steak, egg, and oatmeal breakfasts, 3 chicken, rice, and veggie lunches, 2-3 meat of some sort, pasta/potatoes, veggie dinners. Once I stopped gaining with the food, I started adding shakes, it was the most disgusting feeling I had ever experienced. I would burp up chunks of food in my mouth while heating up my next meal. I looked pregnant but with defined abs, like what you see from bb's with distended bellies. My grocery bill was 400 a week not including supps, I did it for 8 months and gained about 50lbs of muscle doing a blast cruise cycle. The reason these big guys eat more than 2 or 3 meals is, it would be damn near impossible to get 8-10k calories in 2-3 meals and still function.

[GirlyGymRat]

If body can only use 30 grams of protein,how does eating one or 2 per day support muscle gains?

Does it help to clarify. 30 g per meal!