How many meals does a bodybuilder eat per day?
Bodybuilders spend hours at the gym building large amounts of muscle mass, and they support that with regular feedings—this usually means six meal times a day. Of course, these aren't runs to Burger King. Bodybuilders typically have protein at every meal, some consisting of shakes.
More Meals = Muscle Growth
Although you need protein, you really don't have to spread it and eat it over six or seven meals. The aim is to reach the daily intake without fail and this will help you develop muscle. An average man needs about 4-6 meals a day plus the right amount of exercise for steady muscle growth.
These athletes eat multiple times per day to increase protein synthesis, replace glycogen and drive down the catabolic hormone cortisol. Additionally, most bodybuilders have considerably more muscle mass than the average person which results a higher daily calorie expenditure, even at rest.
The most serious of bodybuilders know that consuming six or more meals per day is essential to not only massive gain, but makes it easier for your body to efficiently digest the food, and keeps you topped off with nutrients.
Yes, You Can Eat Just 3 Meals a Day | Muscle & Fitness.
Eat three to five meals a day
Eating at least three meals a day can make it easier to increase calorie intake. Snacking between meals can also help to increase the number of calories in the diet.
Whole grains such as brown rice, whole grain breads, millet, quinoa, oats and granola should be added in a bodybuilder's diet. Whole grains, being primarily carbs, provide the body with energy, improve satiety and provide key micro-nutrients that are essential for muscle growth & maintenance.
The bodybuilding diet emphasizes lean protein to protect and build muscle. It also encourages getting plenty of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables and nutrient-rich complex carbohydrates. Followers of this plan should choose whole grains and avoid refined flours and sugars.
The Bottom Line
There are no health benefits to eating more often. It doesn't increase the number of calories burned or help you lose weight. Eating more often also doesn't improve blood sugar control. If anything, eating fewer meals is healthier.
Eat frequently, every 3-4 hours, and aim for 6 small meals during the day. Try not to lump your calories into 3 big meals, as it will make you feel sluggish. Eat a minimum of 20-30 grams of protein at each meal. Eat simple carbohydrates directly before/after training ssessions.
Is 4 meals a day good?
"Eating more often keeps your metabolism working, and prevents it from slowing down," Russo says. "Eating four meals a day can also improve your energy levels. [And it] may also prevent excessive hunger, which may make it difficult to concentrate, or make you tired and irritable."
- Not Stretching or Cooling Down. This one tops the list because the majority of us simply NEVER do it. ...
- You Add Peanut Butter in Your Post Workout Shake. ...
- You Don't Eat Carbs Post Workout. ...
- You Eat Like a Stray Dog After Training.

- Eat small frequent meals during the day:
- 3 meals – 1 snack within 3 to 4 hours apart:
- 3 meals/day within 5 hours apart:
- 5 small meals/day within 3 hours apart:
At the end of the study, researchers observed no difference in energy expenditure and body fat loss between the two groups. Interestingly, those who consumed six smaller meals throughout the day had increased hunger levels and desire to eat compared to those who ate three larger meals per day.
Most bodybuilders eat 6 to 8 meals per day usually every 2 to 2 and a half hours apart. This gives them proper nutrition and regulates their bodies. Most bodybuilders eat as much as 2000 to 6000 calories a day depending on your body type and genetics.
While dietary guidelines typically recommend that you eat at least three meals and one snack a day, some people are more successful with weight loss if they eat smaller, more frequent meals. A six-meal-a-day plan may help you to better manage hunger and maintain energy levels.
A second study found that switching from three daily meals to six did not boost calorie-burning or fat loss. In fact, the researchers concluded, eating six meals a day actually made people want to eat more. And a research review reached no conclusions about whether meal frequency helps or hurts with weight loss.
Eat More Meals More Often
If you're active and train hard, you likely burn a lot of calories each day. It's very difficult to eat clean foods that replace all the energy you've spent in just three meals. That's why bodybuilders—competitive and recreational alike—eat 5-8 meals per day to support mass-building.
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.
Recovery—A Fairly Recent Concept
During the Pumping Iron era of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno in the 1970s, many bodybuilders—if they could find the time, that is—trained on a "double split," working out twice a day. They might do chest in the morning and then back in the late afternoon or early evening.
Is 2 meals a day enough?
Instead, she says, two to three meals a day is best – with most of your calories consumed earlier in the day. This is because eating late at night is associated with cardio-metabolic disease, including diabetes and heart disease.
The 2 Meal Day is becoming a way of life for so many people because of its simple, effective and sustainable. It teaches your body to transition from burning sugars and carbohydrates to body fat for energy – this is one of the most empowering things you can do for your long-term health and wellness.
It's not really the number of times you eat every day that contributes to weight gain, but rather the amount of calories you eat. Eating more often means you're less likely to feel hungry between meals, which makes it a go-to strategy for weight loss, too.
- Are you new to fitness and wish to build muscles like Jeff Seid or Steve Cook? Then this article is a must-read for you. ...
- Flax seeds. ...
- Sugar. ...
- Unhealthy Carbohydrates. ...
- Alcohol. ...
- Fried food items. ...
- Fast food. ...
- Spicy food.
- Eggs. Eggs contain high quality protein, healthy fats, and other important nutrients like B vitamins and choline ( 1 ). ...
- Salmon. Salmon is a great choice for muscle building and overall health. ...
- Chicken breast. ...
- Greek yogurt. ...
- Tuna. ...
- Lean beef. ...
- Shrimp. ...
- Soybeans.
- Tuna 'Superfood' Salad Sandwich. ...
- Turkey Parmesan Burgers. ...
- Sumac Shrimp and Crispy Chickpea Salad. ...
- Spicy Egg, Cucumber and Avocado Toast. ...
- Savory Mediterranean Yogurt Parfait.
Bulking is a phase of bodybuilding
Bulking is the muscle-gaining phase. You're meant to intentionally consume more calories than your body needs for a set period — often 4–6 months. These extra calories provide your body with the necessary fuel to boost muscle size and strength while weight training ( 1 ).
To build mass, you need between 20 and 22 calories per pound of body weight each day, according to sports scientist Jim Stoppani, PhD. This would mean a 150-pound beginner bodybuilder would need between 3,000 and 3,300 calories per day to gain weight.
Most healthy people can eat up to seven eggs a week without affecting their heart health. Some choose to eat only the egg white and not the yolk, which provides some protein without the cholesterol.
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.
What is considered 5 small meals a day?
What Is A 5 Meals A Day Plan? Eating 5 meals a day involves having breakfast, a mid-morning snack, lunch, mid-afternoon snack, and dinner (7). To do this, you will need to try and eat every three hours. The most important part of this meal plan (and any other diet) is to eat less calories each time.
- Eat Breakfast to help build Muscle Mass. ...
- Eat every three hours. ...
- Eat Protein with Each Meal to Boost Your Muscle Mass. ...
- Eat fruit and vegetables with each meal. ...
- Eat carbs only after your workout. ...
- Eat healthy fats. ...
- Drink water to help you build Muscle Mass. ...
- Eat Whole Foods 90% of The Time.
To increase muscle mass, you must “eat more calories than needed to maintain your body weight”, says personal trainer Scott Laidler. "A high proportion of your extra calories should come from foods containing protein, which will give you the necessary amino acids to build muscle mass.
Eat a food or beverage high in protein about 20 minutes before, and again immediately after, your strength-training workout. And do the same after a vigorous cardiovascular workout, such as tennis or kayaking, or even just a long walk. When you work out, you break down your muscles.
In one sense, it all comes down to math: The average adult human requires 2,000 calories per day, and you're only awake for so many hours. "Across all peer-reviewed research and health practices, three meals a day is a general recommendation to encourage consistent, adequate energy intake," Miluk said.
Eating five meals a day is one of the biggest nutrition myths. Its supporters say that eating them regularly speeds up metabolism, regulates blood glucose levels and helps to lose weight faster. On the other hand, large and infrequent meals promote obesity, slow down metabolism and are bad for health.
Participants in a study who ate six small meals showed no metabolic advantage over those who ate three large meals. What did separate them from the three-meal group was that they reported higher levels of hunger and an increased desire to eat.
You're not eating enough – one of the main causes of not being able to build muscle is not eating enough and more importantly, not eating enough of the right food. Everyone bangs on about the importance of protein, but carbs and fats are just as important when it comes to growing muscle.
For many bodybuilders, Pasta is their primary carb choice; they eat in the morning, pre-workout and post-workout, and even before going to sleep when bulking.
Although some research suggests that your body may metabolize food differently during the day versus the night, there's no scientific consensus on the best time to stop eating. Some evidence suggests that eating late may negatively influence weight and metabolic risk factors.
How many hours should you eat before bed?
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.
Harrison says skipping meals could lead to both nausea and diarrhea, and you could even become constipated. Similar to when you're feeling anxious, the stress response released by the body when going too long between meals can irk the digestive system and make your bathroom trips unpredictable.
The research is clear that people who eat in the morning and afternoon have healthier blood lipid profiles and better blood sugar control and tend to weigh less than those who eat late in the day. And people who eat breakfast tend to have better overall nutrient intakes than those who skip it.
As the name implies, the 6-meal-a-day diet plan involves eating 6 mini-meals a day. An example of a meal plan is as follows: Breakfast: Egg whites, potatoes, and turkey bacon or muesli, oatmeal, and vegetables. Snack: Fruit smoothie with protein powder or half a piece of fruit with non-fat yogurt.
British people - and many others across the world - have been brought up on the idea of three square meals a day as a normal eating pattern, but it wasn't always that way.
Although you need protein, you really don't have to spread it and eat it over six or seven meals. The aim is to reach the daily intake without fail and this will help you develop muscle. An average man needs about 4-6 meals a day plus the right amount of exercise for steady muscle growth.
You need to be eating enough for your body to build and maintain muscle, a sports dietitian said. Symptoms like constant fatigue, sleep loss, soreness, and hunger may mean you've cut calories too low. To prevent muscle loss, make sure you get enough food, including carbs, to fuel your workouts.
These athletes eat multiple times per day to increase protein synthesis, replace glycogen and drive down the catabolic hormone cortisol. Additionally, most bodybuilders have considerably more muscle mass than the average person which results a higher daily calorie expenditure, even at rest.
So how often should you be eating? 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).
- Breakfast: Egg whites with potatoes, turkey bacon, [or] pre-made breakfast muffins with turkey bacon, egg whites, and vegetables.
- Snack: Fruit smoothie with protein powder.
- Snack: Hard boiled eggs (whites only)
- Lunch: A healthy fat like an avocado with chicken or turkey or lean bison or beef.
How much of everything should I eat a day?
Food group | 1,600-calorie diet | 2,000-calorie diet |
---|---|---|
Grains (mainly whole grains) | 6 a day | 6-8 a day |
Vegetables | 3-4 a day | 4-5 a day |
Fruits | 4 a day | 4-5 a day |
Low-fat or fat-free milk and milk products | 2-3 a day | 2-3 a day |
The Bottom Line
There are no health benefits to eating more often. It doesn't increase the number of calories burned or help you lose weight. Eating more often also doesn't improve blood sugar control. If anything, eating fewer meals is healthier.
Eat frequently, every 3-4 hours, and aim for 6 small meals during the day. Try not to lump your calories into 3 big meals, as it will make you feel sluggish. Eat a minimum of 20-30 grams of protein at each meal.
Other Small Meal and Snack Ideas
Try tuna, egg, chicken, tofu salad or hummus. Have a cup of a cream-based soup. Eggs (scrambled, hard-boiled) or an omelet with vegetables and cheese. Make a mashed potato bowl topped with soft vegetables and ground meats or beans with gravy and cheese.
"Eating more often keeps your metabolism working, and prevents it from slowing down," Russo says. "Eating four meals a day can also improve your energy levels. [And it] may also prevent excessive hunger, which may make it difficult to concentrate, or make you tired and irritable."
- Eat small frequent meals during the day:
- 3 meals – 1 snack within 3 to 4 hours apart:
- 3 meals/day within 5 hours apart:
- 5 small meals/day within 3 hours apart:
- Eat at least a gram of protein per pound of bodyweight every day.
- Drink at least one ounce of water for every two pounds of bodyweight every day and strive to drink more.
- Have an appropriate postworkout drink or meal.
- Always eat breakfast.
- Leave behind all refined sugars or processed foods.
The best time to have breakfast is within two hours of getting up. "The sooner you eat breakfast after you wake up, the better it is for your metabolism," says Larson. If you hit the gym in the AM, it's best to have a light meal like a banana or an avocado toast 20-30 minutes before workout.
Eat after you exercise
To help your muscles recover and to replace their glycogen stores, eat a meal that contains both carbohydrates and protein within two hours of your exercise session if possible. Consider a snack if your meal is more than two hours away. Good post-workout food choices include: Yogurt and fruit.
The conventional wisdom is that athletes (including bodybuilders) require more sleep than non-athletes, but a 2021 study in the International Journal of Sports Physiology & Performance found that around 80% of athletes reported needing 7-9 hours of sleep [2].
How much do bodybuilders eat?
Eat More Meals More Often
It's very difficult to eat clean foods that replace all the energy you've spent in just three meals. That's why bodybuilders—competitive and recreational alike—eat 5-8 meals per day to support mass-building.
For most healthy adults, it's safe to eat 1–2 eggs a day depending on how much other cholesterol is in your diet. If you already have high cholesterol or other risk factors for heart disease, it may be best to eat no more than 4–5 eggs per week.
A traditional American diet consists of three meals per day—breakfast, lunch and dinner. These days, however, Americans report eating more than five meals or snacks every day.
While some research suggests that skipping breakfast is not harmful, other research suggests otherwise. Eating regular meals and snacks, including breakfast, allows for more opportunities throughout the day to give the body the energy and nutrients it needs to function optimally.
At the end of the study, researchers observed no difference in energy expenditure and body fat loss between the two groups. Interestingly, those who consumed six smaller meals throughout the day had increased hunger levels and desire to eat compared to those who ate three larger meals per day.
Instead, she says, two to three meals a day is best – with most of your calories consumed earlier in the day. This is because eating late at night is associated with cardio-metabolic disease, including diabetes and heart disease.
By letting your hunger guide you through your weight loss journey -- and only eating when you feel hungry -- you should be able to effectively lose weight. Symptoms of hunger may include fatigue, dizziness, weakness, a drop in blood sugar and stomach cramping.
Not eating won't directly lead to weight gain -- in fact, you may lose weight as you'll temporarily eat fewer calories than you burn. The problem is that fasting is unsustainable, so any weight-loss benefit will likely be short lived and your health will pay the price.
Most bodybuilders eat 6 to 8 meals per day usually every 2 to 2 and a half hours apart. This gives them proper nutrition and regulates their bodies. Most bodybuilders eat as much as 2000 to 6000 calories a day depending on your body type and genetics.
How often do I need to eat when bulking? Meal frequency is a key factor to a successful bulk. So, aim to eat around 4-7 calorie-dense meals a day and you'll be smashing your goals and seeing those gains in no time!
How much should I be eating to build muscle?
For many, increasing your daily calories by 5 to 10% is sufficient in promoting lean muscle growth. For example, if your daily calorie needs are 2500, you can consume 250 extra calories per day. But there may be some differences in calorie needs per person based on starting body composition and level of training.
- Not Stretching or Cooling Down. This one tops the list because the majority of us simply NEVER do it. ...
- You Add Peanut Butter in Your Post Workout Shake. ...
- You Don't Eat Carbs Post Workout. ...
- You Eat Like a Stray Dog After Training.
"Eating more often keeps your metabolism working, and prevents it from slowing down," Russo says. "Eating four meals a day can also improve your energy levels. [And it] may also prevent excessive hunger, which may make it difficult to concentrate, or make you tired and irritable."
You need to be eating enough for your body to build and maintain muscle, a sports dietitian said. Symptoms like constant fatigue, sleep loss, soreness, and hunger may mean you've cut calories too low. To prevent muscle loss, make sure you get enough food, including carbs, to fuel your workouts.
- Eat small frequent meals during the day:
- 3 meals – 1 snack within 3 to 4 hours apart:
- 3 meals/day within 5 hours apart:
- 5 small meals/day within 3 hours apart:
Your bulking transformation depends on two things: eating at a calculated calorie surplus and eating healthy food. A 'dirty bulk' will add too much body fat and leave you feeling bloated. Instead, aim to consume around 6 meals a day that pack in plenty of calories.
While you can certainly eat whatever you want and gain weight (assuming you are in a caloric surplus), the types of foods (macronutrients) you consume can and will impact your lean muscle growth, fat gain, and performance.
Multiple studies have compared eating many smaller versus fewer larger meals and concluded that there is no significant effect on either metabolic rate or the total amount of fat lost ( 1 , 2 ). Eating more frequently does not increase your overall metabolic rate, or the numbers of calories you burn over the day.
To gain muscle, you need to provide your body with appropriate amounts of calories and nutrients, particularly protein. Doing so will support the creation of new muscle proteins from the dietary protein you eat, which will be stimulated by the work you do in the weight room.
- Increase Your Training Volume. ...
- Focus on the Eccentric Phase. ...
- Decrease Between-Set Rest Intervals. ...
- To Grow Muscle, Eat More Protein. ...
- Focus on Calorie Surpluses, Not Deficits. ...
- Snack on Casein Before Bed. ...
- Get More Sleep. ...
- Try Supplementing With Creatine ...
What foods do bodybuilders avoid?
- Are you new to fitness and wish to build muscles like Jeff Seid or Steve Cook? Then this article is a must-read for you. ...
- Flax seeds. ...
- Sugar. ...
- Unhealthy Carbohydrates. ...
- Alcohol. ...
- Fried food items. ...
- Fast food. ...
- Spicy food.
You're not eating enough – one of the main causes of not being able to build muscle is not eating enough and more importantly, not eating enough of the right food. Everyone bangs on about the importance of protein, but carbs and fats are just as important when it comes to growing muscle.