We are pleased to announce that on March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor will be introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the upcoming changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!
How many meals a day?

KeeweeNZ
Posts: 3 Member
Hi. Just wondering if anyone had any guidance on if the amount of meals you have a day matters - can you just a have three meals a day or should you be eating regularly with snacks for metabolism?
I have always had a habit of getting caught up at work and not have morning or afternoon tea. This probably led me to eating to much rubbish at night but now that I have up'd my protein and eating better foods I feel fuller longer.
I was given advice last time of eating six times a day but i found that I seem to be constantly worrying about fitting the meals in and what to have. I have the odd day where i do eat a snack but nice to just do it if I feel like it rather than trying to fit it in all the time.
Any advice, thought appreciated
I have always had a habit of getting caught up at work and not have morning or afternoon tea. This probably led me to eating to much rubbish at night but now that I have up'd my protein and eating better foods I feel fuller longer.
I was given advice last time of eating six times a day but i found that I seem to be constantly worrying about fitting the meals in and what to have. I have the odd day where i do eat a snack but nice to just do it if I feel like it rather than trying to fit it in all the time.
Any advice, thought appreciated

0
Replies
-
Meal timing is pretty much irrelevant
The best advice is to stick with what makes YOU comfortable and helps you meet your goals. If you are a snacker and like to eat 6 times a day then do it! If you prefer to have larger meals have two or three. The '6 meals a day helps your metabolism' thing - it's been disproven for a long time.0 -
Whatever you want - 1 to 400
-
I usually eat two meals a day, and have lost 45 lbs so far. Honestly, how many meals you eat doesn't matter, as long as you're getting the right number of calories.0
-
I don't have a strict regimen as far as how many meals. I usually do a huge protein (30+ grams) and healthy fat filled (sometimes big on grams too) breakfast with 1 whole grain portion of cereal or bread. For me, I find I am much more satisfied throughout the rest of the day when I start like that. The rest of the day I eat smaller amounts and sometimes it's a small meal and sometimes a snack will do. I just pay attention to the calorie total for my day when deciding as the day nears end.
Find what works for you.0 -
Makes no difference, its all about deficit.0
-
It really doesn't matter and "affecting metabolism" is bunk.
Eat however many you like, whenever you chose, as long as you maintain the required Caloric Deficit.0 -
What time and how many meals you eat makes no difference to overall weight-loss. It is all personal preference and how meal timing and amount of meals effects you.
Personally: on school days I eat three-four meals and maybe a snack. Weekends I tend to either eat many small meals or three big meals with one or two snacks.0 -
On work days like today, I skip breakfast, have a late lunch, supper, then a snack before bed.
The "when" of eating has to do with your preference.0 -
I generally eat 3 meals and a snack because that works for me. You have to find what works for you and as long as you don't go over your calorie limit it will be fine.0
-
Thanks heaps everyone - thats what i wanted to hear lol0
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 394.3K Introduce Yourself
- 43.9K Getting Started
- 260.4K Health and Weight Loss
- 176.1K Food and Nutrition
- 47.5K Recipes
- 232.7K Fitness and Exercise
- 440 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.6K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153.1K Motivation and Support
- 8.1K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.4K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 4K MyFitnessPal Information
- 16 News and Announcements
- 1.2K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.7K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions