Meal frequency and timing in health and disease

Researchers reviewed earlier studies on how often and when people eat. The evidence included adults and children, along with some animal studies, and examined breakfast, irregular meals, snacking, and eating late at night. Some studies linked regular meals and eating earlier in the day with healthier body weight and blood sugar, the amount of sugar in the blood. However, many studies only found associations, meaning they could not prove that meal timing caused the health differences. The results were mixed, and there was no single group of participants or one standard eating plan tested.

What this means for you: This does not show that you need to eat a certain number of meals or avoid food at a particular hour. Choose a meal schedule that fits your life, while focusing more on the overall quality and amount of food.