People who eat fewer meals (1–2 per day) tend to have lower body weight than those who eat 3 or more meals.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (3)
Community contributions welcome
People who ate just one or two meals a day lost a tiny bit of weight over time, while those who ate three or more meals (especially snacks) gained weight, so eating fewer meals is linked to being leaner.
People who ate only 1–2 meals a day on some days lost more weight than those who ate 3 meals every day, even when they ate the same total amount of food.
People who ate just one meal a day in the evening lost weight and burned more fat, which means eating fewer meals can help you weigh less.
Contradicting (2)
Community contributions welcome
When people replaced one or two meals a day with shakes or bars, they lost weight and body fat — showing that eating fewer meals helps you get leaner.
When people ate either 2 or 4 meals a day but the same total calories, their blood sugar and insulin levels were about the same — so eating fewer meals didn’t make them healthier or thinner.