Spend your day strong and energetic, and the best way to do this is to eat a balanced diet.

But what's the best way to fill up your energy reserves throughout the day without increasing your body weight?

5 meals or 3?

No one should force themselves to eat breakfast in the morning, and there are hardly any fixed rules when it comes to eating during the day.

A few tips for the evening meal.

But how many meals a day is the best for healthy eating?

"There are no fixed rules" for that, says Margaret Morlow of the Nutrition and Dietetic Association - according to what Deutsche Welle quoted the German website T Online - as quoted by Deutsche Welle.

For example, everyone should think for themselves whether they could spend their day better with three or three meals.

The German Dietetic Association sees it this way as well, adding, "The energy balance of the day is crucial for the development of body weight."

During the night, there is a period of fasting

But with children it is different.

"5 meals are suitable for them because of the activity of the metabolic process," Yvonne Knepps from the Consumer Protection Center in North Rhine-Westphalia told the German "T Online" website.

Children's stomachs are also smaller.

In principle, snacks are also a good idea for adults, as they provide an opportunity to snack on nuts or raw vegetables.


The morning breakfast ends the nightly fasting period that usually lasts from 10 to 14 hours.

But adults don't have to force themselves to eat breakfast if they don't have an appetite in the morning.

“There is no perfect eating rhythm for everyone,” adds Ante Gal.

However, she recommends eating at least one meal in the morning.

Also, one warm meal a day is not absolutely necessary.

"Prepare and cook from a variety of foods," says Yvonne Knepps.

And it doesn't matter whether you eat warm at lunchtime or in the evening.

Healthy carbohydrates such as natural rice, sweet potatoes or "whole wheat pasta" should be on the menu, as should legumes, vegetables or salads.

Eating something sweet in the afternoon is allowed, according to Morlow of the Dietetic Association "It can also be a piece of cake" and eaten in small quantities and does not negatively affect the figure.

And if you want to fill up on energy, you can also eat whole grain products or fruit.


Evening snack

As the evening falls, the metabolic activity of the body decreases.

In other words, you should eat less at dinner to avoid weight gain.

"This applies to everyone who sits in front of the TV after eating or sleeps directly," Morlo explained to the German "T Online" website.

And if you still move and go for a walk, for example, you can eat a little more.

Aside from nutrition, physical activities are important anyway, and it is best to spread them out throughout the day.

This means, for example, a little walk in the morning, but this alone is not enough.

"Everyone should do intense exercise at least once a week," says Yvonne Knepps.