I have been doing a lot of reading and some introspection on the 6 small meals approach to diet. It seems that there is a lot of information out in the world stating that when calories are the same, 6 small meals a day does no better than 3 larger meals. In other words, energy expenditure is the same and metabolism is un-altered. Personally, when eating 6+ meals I never felt satisfied and often seemed tired and unfocused. I recently went back to 3 larger meals and a preworkout snack (dinner is post workout). I have not gained any weight and I generally feel better. I feel like I have a little more energy and am more focused. For me, at least, I have always felt that the 6 meals approach was impractical and that it might be hindering me. Has anyone else gone from 6 back to 3 meals or felt like this approach was wrong for them? I'm not saying that 6 meals a day is wrong or a bad way to eat, but for me I think the other way is better.

I find I get hungry about every three hours, so more frequent meals has always come natural to me. The in-between meals are more like snacks - and it seems a natural way to get all the food groups covered.
For example, unless I had fruit with my meal (which I usually don't) - snack time is a natural time for me to eat a piece of fruit, or if I had no protein with breakfast, then a mid-morning protein snack is where it's at! To get the 5-a-day recommended fruits & veggies, it helps me if I add these in between meals.
So in my case, I didn't go out of my way to eat 6 "meals" - it did, in fact, come naturally. It stands to reason that not everyone is going to be the same - so it makes sense to listen one's own body on this one.
I'll bet you're about to find out you're not the only one!

Hey John,

You are doing exactly what you should be doing. It is just like how we recommend what people should be eating with regard to their macro-nutrient ratios. Start in the middle and see how things work for you and how you feel and then adjust as needed for your own body. The same thing is with meal frequency.

There is always the perfect way to eat and exercise, but being perfect isn't always necessary if things are working for you. You are in your maintenance right now and your goal is how to keep healthy without struggling or feeling hungry.

Yes your metabolism will burn a little faster eating more often, but that isn't your goal right now. You want to live the rest of your life eating good food until you are satisfied every day, and feeling strong and healthy.

Keep up the good work!

For me, three meals a day with 2-3 snacks a day has been working. I have never before lost weight and not been hungry. Before I would have larger breakfasts and larger lunches and smaller snacks. I now even them out more. The biggest difference is now I am not starving after supper. Before I would do great all day and blow it from 7-10 pm.

Everyone is different. Find what works for you.

Maybe you can do 3 larger meals and then have a small snack in between. In my opinion getting to eat every few hours makes me crave food less, so I have light string cheese, a SMALL handful of almonds, yogurt or fruit as a snack handy at all times.

This works for me, I don't really do the 6 "meals" but I eat probably 6 times a day.