So, the science seems to say the healthiest way to eat throughout the day is to have two or three meals, with a long fasting window overnight, to not eat too early or too late in the day, and to consume more calories earlier on in the day.
Two meals a day vs three meals a day
Allows for bigger, more calorie-dense meals; when you're eating two meals a day, over three, each meal will be bigger to achieve your daily calorie intake.
With an eating pattern that involves eating two meals a day, this would work out to an average of 900 calories per meal. Because you are restricting your eating only twice a day, the two meals a day diet can be a good way to control your caloric intake to facilitate weight loss.
For most people, there are no serious dangers involved in eating one meal a day, other than the discomforts of feeling hungry. That said, there are some risks for people with cardiovascular disease or diabetes. Eating one meal a day can increase your blood pressure and cholesterol.
The goal is to eat every 3 to 4 hours in order to keep your blood sugar consistent and for your stomach to optimally digest. Setting this schedule consistently across days can also help curb overeating which can lead to bloating or indigestion.
Eating 2 meals in a day can improve metabolic flexibility. This means you can shift between using different fuel sources available with ease. You become less dependent on carbohydrates in food for energy. Instead, you can shift into using stored energy like body fat.
The Theory: Nutrition experts tend to recommend eating 3 balanced meals (350 to 600 calories each) and 1 to 3 snacks per day (between 150 and 200 calories each). The calories for each meal and snack depend on a variety of factors including, height, weight, age, gender and activity level.
Some suggest that having 5-6 small meals in a day is better than having 3 large meals in a day as it helps to boost metabolism, resulting in quick weight loss.
To lose weight, you need to be in an energy deficit.
Under a low-calorie diet, people eating two meals per day lost more weight than those eating six per day. But without an energy deficit, neither high or low-frequency eating groups lose weight.
Rather than going for three to four high-calorie meals in a day, one should eat every four hours to shape your belly.
Another study found that eating smaller meals more frequently throughout the day had little effect on fasting glucose levels. However, it did conclude that waiting until the end of the day to eat the majority of calories had a detrimental effect on blood glucose control.
One of the latest trends among celebrities is the “one meal a day” diet (or “Omad”). Fans of Omad include Bruce Springsteen and Coldplay frontman Chris Martin. Many proponents of Omad claim it helps them better manage their weight and keep fit.
You may be eating too much during your meals. Even if you only eat once or twice a day, you can still gain weight if you are eating more calories than you burn. It is important to be mindful of your portion sizes and to choose healthy foods that are low in calories.
The amount of food we consume daily has a significant impact on bodily function. Most adults need a minimum of 2000 calories to sustain metabolism, muscle activity, and brain function. However, too many calories can lead to weight gain and a variety of diseases.
How did this custom start and is it evolving? Most cultures in the world eat about every six hours with three main meals that correspond to breakfast, lunch and dinner – varying in how abudant each meal is.
"Skipping meals can have negative effects on our body and mind. When we skip a meal, our blood sugar levels drop, causing us to feel lethargic and irritable. It can also lead to overeating later on.
It's best to stop eating about three hours before going to bed. That allows plenty of time for your body to digest the last food you ate so it won't disrupt your sleep, but leaves a small enough window before sleep that you won't go to bed feeling hungry.
How Long Before Bed Should You Stop Eating? While estimates vary, most experts recommend eating a meal two to four hours before bedtime. People who eat meals well ahead of bedtime have enough time to properly digest their food.
The best time to have your breakfast is within two hours of waking up. Having breakfast after waking up is good for your metabolism, say experts.
Mood swings, lack of concentration, irritability are some common side effects of following one meal a day diet. If you eat fewer calories in a day, your body goes into a preservation mode, which slows down your metabolism. This may be harmful to you in the long term.
"The Romans believed it was healthier to eat only one meal a day," food historian Caroline Yeldham told BBC News Magazine in 2012. "They were obsessed with digestion and eating more than one meal was considered a form of gluttony.
Conclusion: A single meal per day in the evening lowers body weight and adapts metabolic flexibility during exercise via increased fat oxidation whereas physical performance was not affected.