Who would've thought eating enough would be so hard

Not sure about that. Once you've been weight training your muscles require protein to repair them, this is apparently better to be supplied in consistant meals throughout the day. At least this is what I have always been told (and research also confirms this opinion)

I'm just wondering if people have had good gains from spreading their calories into three decent protein rich meals throughout the day and how important it actually is to supply the muscles with protein every 3 hours or so.

Tell that to the people who do IF ... Seriously, it doesn't really matter ... Unless you have blood sugar issues (hyper/hypoglycemia), you could in theory, eat all of your days calories in one meal ...

ETA: Cottage cheese is AMAZING ... I prefer Friendship brand 4% small curd California style ... 15g protein per serving, tuna is also great ... I never use protein supplements and am ALWAYS way over my protein requirements of 104g per day (I go for 1g per pound of body weight ... )

Thanks Amadbro, that's the sort of answer which is useful to me.

Can anyone point me to the scientific research on the meal frequency that a few of you have mentioned? Or is this all recieved knowledge with no source?

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9155494
http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/research-review/meal-frequency-and-energy-balance-research-review.html

I have a hard time getting enough protein too.

Meal timing is like religion: People with totally different views believe whole-heartedly that their way is the only way. So, as with religion, you find the one that works for you.

I had a doctor say 3 meals plus 2 snacks. She compared the metabolism to a fire. You get the fire going in the morning and then fan it every few hours so it doesn't go out. Personally, as long as I keep myself from getting ravenously hungry, I'm fine. And if I stay low-carb after lunch, I feel better in the morning.

While meal frequency does not affect weight loss, nutrient timing is important for athletes or anyone trying to put on muscle. I recommend the book "The Science of Nutrient Timing" by Dr John Ivy and Dr Robert Portman. They are very big proponents of a 4:1 carb to protein feeding right after lifting or anaerobic cardio. I believe the high carbohydrate content has to do with insulin response helping to improve absorption of the protein into the muscles. They also talk about pre workout nutrition and post-post workout feedings. The rest of your meals should be higher in protein than the 4:1 post-workout, according to Drs Ivy and Portman.

To add protein you could try shakes and supplements, or add legumes and beans to your meals (you did say you could eat more carbs as well.) I am vegetarian and I get a lot of my protein from chickpeas, lentils, and protein shakes. I assume you are not vegetarian, so rather than having these as main protein sources, you could introduce more side dishes with moderate protein?

Vanilla protein powder, cow's or plant milk, and frozen cherries makes a ridiculously good shake, worthy of dessert billing, btw.
You can add cocoa powder if you are a chocoholic.

Edited to add link:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1591201411/bodybuildersc-20/103-0990892-5334248

Its quite difficult to get the 180g protein without all the fats

Usually you can find the big 32 oz containers of nonfat plain greek yogurt. I frequently devour one of these as part of my lunch. We're talking 90+ grams of protein. That'll get you about halfway...

32oz of Greek yogurt!!!! That's about 750calories dude!

Yes, in all their glory. I need them.

Edit: Not 750 for me. The container I had Wednesday was 520 calories and 92 g protein.