How do normal people eat?

supersocks117

Depends on the person. My mom eats three small meals and one snack and walks. I exercise so I can eat more and eat 2-3 meals, 1-2 snacks and often a small treat.

I am given 1800 to lose right now. I usually eat 1500-1600 and net 1400. For that I eat:
Breakfast (biggest meal, my preference) 2 eggs + 2 egg whites + cheese, bacon, and veggies + coffee and cream = 450-550 calories
Lunch: Salad or a frozen bean burrito = 250-300 calories
Snack : Toast with about 1 T peanut butter = 200 calories
Dinner: Pretty much what my mom makes or DH wants xP just cut my portion to around 300- 400 calories
Post dinner snack: Ice cream or air popped popcorn or whatever I'm craving 200-300 calories
That's about 1600-1700 - my exercise calories if I do any that day.

I tend to mindless snack or not move enough, I don't have an issue with body image or disordered eating/binges so I can't speak to that.

Lounmoun

I don't think there is eating like a normal person. I think there are people who are maintaining their weight who could easily gain weight if they don't pay attention or their lifestyle changes but their calorie consumption doesn't. I guess normal or healthy weight people manage to not eat more than they burn and that is all they have in common.
When I was 100-125 lbs or so I didn't pay attention to calories and maintained in that range for years. I skipped breakfast. I ate large portions. I would eat a can of soup for a snack. I ate 4-6 slices of pizza. I didn't really exercise but I walked a lot. I can't go back to that way of eating with my current level of activity.
Normal for me now is eating 3 meals and 1-2 snacks a day. I eat a small breakfast. I watch my portion sizes. I've paid attention to what portion sizes look like. I would eat 1-2 slices of pizza now with a salad. I would get a regular or junior hamburger. I eat more homemade food now. I am more sedentary than I used to be but I exercise on purpose more.

kommodevaran

By normal, I guess you mean people of normal weight. There is a broad spectrum of normality. But what they have in common, is that they eat just as many calories as they burn. Some people love food, but savour small portions. Some people don't care much about food. Some aim to eat healthy food, some just eat whatever. Some feel full fast, others restrict their intake conciously. Some like meat, some like salad. Some don't eat a lot, but drink their calories. Some eat little when alone, but more socially. Some can last a whole day on a small bag of candy and two slices of pizza. Some are easily bored and are active because they like it, some exercise to burn off calories.

As a child, food was a nuisance and a necessary evil. I too was told to eat up for the starving children in Africa. I got used to large portions and feeling stuffed after eating. I didn't really connect that with the change of diet towards more junk, being more sedate, and gaining weight

Counting calories and macros here on MFP has taught and retrained me to a more normal/healthy eating pattern. Now I just log what I eat in a spreadsheet (no calorie counting) and assess hunger before and satiety after each meal. I weigh every day and will restrict some if I see a gain.