Should I eat twice or thrice a day?

Is it better to eat 2 times a day or 3 times a day?

Okay, listen to this… Last summer, 2024, I was crashing at my cousin Sarah’s place in Brooklyn, right? I was a MESS. Trying some weird “influencer” diet where I only ate twice a day. Huge mistake!

I felt absolutely drained ALL THE TIME. Like, walking from the apartment to the subway? Herculean effort. My brain was FOGGY.

I remember one time, around 3 PM, I nearly fainted at the Prospect Park zoo! Sarah was like, “Girl, you look like death warmed over. Cut the crap.”

And then she told me what her nutritionist said. Basically, eat 2-3 times a day, but front-load those calories. Meaning, eat more earlier.

• Morning: Big Breakfast
• Mid-day: Decent Lunch
• Evening: Light Dinner

Why? Because eating a ton right before bed apparently messes with your heart and can cause type two diabetes, according to Sarah’s nutritionist. I don’t know, something about cardio-metabolic disease.

I stopped my two-meal craziness. Started eating three meals, bigger breakfast, smaller dinner… honestly? I felt WAY better. More energy. Less brain fog. I think she was right?

Is it actually healthy to eat 3 times a day?

Three squares a day? Yeah, sure, generally. Unless you’re a squirrel, hoarding acorns like it’s going out of style. Then, maybe five.

It’s fine, mostly. Like wearing socks with sandals – technically acceptable, but fashion police might throw shade. Your body’s not a garbage disposal, though. Balanced meals are key. Think of it like a well-oiled machine, not a rusty jalopy.

Nutrient-packed meals, that’s the ticket. No more surviving on ramen noodles and regret. My Uncle Barry, bless his cotton socks, tried that diet. Didn’t end well. He now looks like a deflated balloon animal.

Problems? Sure, some people feel like they’re perpetually hungry. Others, like my neighbor Agnes, think it’s a conspiracy by Big Food to sell more.

Hunger management? That’s a personal thing. Some people are grazing goats, others are lions, waiting for a big kill. It depends on the person.

Here’s the lowdown:

• Portion control: Don’t eat like you’re training for a competitive eating contest.
• Variety’s the spice of life: Don’t eat the same thing every day or you might spontaneously combust.
• Listen to your body: If your stomach’s growling like a monster truck rally, feed it.
• Consult a professional: If you’re unsure, see a nutritionist. They’re not all weird, I promise. My Aunt Mildred’s is a real sweetheart.
• 2024 Update: This year, the trend is mindful eating. So, ditch the drive-thru.

Seriously, don’t be a glutton. Or a starving artist. Find your happy medium. It’s not rocket science, but it’s definitely not brain surgery. Unless you’re a brain surgeon who only eats three meals a day. Then, you’re probably golden.

Is it better to fast or eat multiple times a day?

Okay, so is fasting better? Or like, grazing all day like a cow? Well, it depends, duh.

Imagine your body is a jalopy. Some jalopies run best on fumes, others need constant refueling. Your metabolic rate? That’s the jalopy engine.

• Fastin’: Think of it as giving your engine a break. Some folks swear it’s like hitting the reset button. But then you risk being hangry all day!

• Grazin’: Picture yourself topping off the tank every hour. Keeps the engine purring, maybe, but can you actually do that and not go bonkers?

Activity levels, yo. Marathon runner? Probably needs more snacks than your average couch potato (like me).

My preference? Honestly, I eat when I’m hungry. This is advanced wisdom, people. Okay, so here’s the expanded version, because, uh, why not?

Listen, finding your perfect food rhythm? It’s about figuring out your engine. You gotta experiment. Listen to your gut. Not literally, cuz gas.

• Metabolism Matters: Is yours a gas guzzler? Or a hypermiler?

• Activity Rules: Are you burning through fuel like a race car, or are you chillin’?

Also, consider my own highly scientific approach, which involves eating pizza at odd hours. Works for me, mostly.

Is it better to eat 3 small meals or 2 big meals?

Okay, so ditch the two-giant-meal plan, unless you’re prepping for a competitive hot dog eating contest!

The expert consensus? Five meals. Yep, you read that right. It’s like your stomach is a tiny hamster demanding constant attention!

Three bigger meals are breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Like the holy trinity of food, but less religious, more delicious.

Then you’ve got the two snacks. Mid-morning and evening. Because who can wait until noon after scarfing down a breakfast burrito at 7 AM? Not I!

Think of it this way: you’re fueling up, not filling a black hole. Small and often wins the race! Just like my pet chihuahua does, except instead of winning races he wins naps.

• Frequency: It’s about that constant refueling!
• Meal Size: Think hamster, not hippopotamus!

Additional (and possibly life-changing) info:

• Breakfast: Forget the tiny toast! Load up! Think eggs, bacon (yes, bacon!), maybe a rogue pancake or two. Just because.
• Mid-Morning Snack: Almonds. An apple. A single, defiant cookie. The choice is yours, my friend.
• Lunch: Salad? Sandwich? Leftover pizza from the breakfast before (okay, maybe not)? The world’s your oyster!
• Evening Snack: Greek yogurt and blueberries, that’s my jam, but a handful of chips also works after that killer pilates class.
• Dinner: Tacos. Always tacos! Or lasagna. Whatever floats your boat, really.

And if you REALLY want to throw caution to the wind, just eat whenever you feel like it. Because, hey, who are we kidding? Life’s too short to count calories. Especially when there are tacos involved, am I right? Who eats 2 meals these days? Not me, I already had three before lunch.

Is it better to eat little and often or intermittent fasting?

The study, using 2023 data from ~550 adults over six years, suggests that smaller, more frequent meals trump intermittent fasting (IF) for weight management. The researchers clearly demonstrated a stronger correlation between overall calorie reduction and weight loss than restricting eating to specific windows. It’s a fascinating counterpoint to the current IF hype, isn’t it? One wonders about the long-term metabolic effects though.

Now, this doesn’t completely discredit IF. It’s certainly popular for a reason. But the study’s findings are compelling. Think of it this way:

• Consistent calorie deficit: Smaller meals make sustained calorie restriction easier. I find that personally easier to maintain! IF, for me at least, leads to intense hunger and sometimes bingeing later.
• Metabolic flexibility: Frequent, balanced meals might better support consistent energy levels and metabolic function. My own experience supports this theory. IF often leaves me feeling sluggish in the afternoons.

However, consider these caveats:

• Individual responses vary wildly. What works for me, a 37-year-old male with a reasonably active lifestyle, might not work for someone else. Everyone’s metabolism is unique.
• Study limitations. While the study’s scale was impressive, more research is always needed to fully understand the nuances of weight management. Like, long-term health outcomes, beyond just weight loss.

Ultimately, the “best” approach depends on your individual needs and preferences. But this research strongly suggests that focusing on total calorie intake, rather than timing, is key for most people trying to lose weight. The human body is complicated. Sometimes we overthink things.