How many MEALS a day?

[arasedes]

I have seen in many places online, that eating 5-6 small-medium meals a day is the recommended amount for rowing. What is the logic behind this advice, and why are fewer meals a day not a viable option?

I usually do 2 big meals a day (1 after rowing and the other one around 8 pm) to stay sharp mentally and not to spike my hormones perpetually during the day.

[Sakly]

It is a huge difference if we talk about elite rowers or hobby rowers (like me and probably also you).
Elite rowers have very high training frequency and also much higher intensity levels, so their caloric intake must be much higher. It is very difficult to reach that amount with (only) 2 meals.

For me, I need around 2800-3000 calories, it is ok to split into 3 meals. 2 meals would be too big for me, so I use a 10-12 hour window for eating. Less calories could easily covered by 2 meals, absolutely fine.
By upping the amount of meals without triggering insulin you could focus on at least one meal which only contains fats. This should be the first or the last meal, not the middle one (if we assume 3 meals). That will prevent insulin response and provide a smooth energy supply.

[Tony Cook]

In a previous sporting life I had to eat five times a day, and sometimes a snack, to keep up to weight and to have the energy to train. Breakfast at 0700 then eat evenly through the day until 2100.
I think it’s a personal thing as well though as I had a team mate who never ate breakfast - first food at about 1000hrs and wouldn’t eat after 1800hrs.
I get by now on 3 meals and a snack, but I’m about 12kg lighter, as well as 30 years older.

[Dangerscouse]

I eat the usual three meals a day plus snacks, and drink lots of water. I don't think there's too much to concern yourself with if your current meal programme is working

[Erik A]

im a one or two a day person
a snack at around 7am then a big lunch around 11am
with either a snack or a meal at night dependent on how i feel or if my wife has cooked a meal or not.
if she asks what i want i most likely will say nothing much and then have toast or something similar. but i eat the meal she has prepared as it would be rude not to
i find that after a decent row im less likely to eat a night meal.
my recommended intake is around 2500 per day which i usually exceed once i have a soft drink during the day with lunch.
sometimes i fast for a couple of days for no particular reason other than i cant be bothered to eat, usually over a weekend.
i drink around 2-3l water per day during the week and less on the weekend

[Tony Cook]

im a one or two a day person
a snack at around 7am then a big lunch around 11am
with either a snack or a meal at night dependent on how i feel or if my wife has cooked a meal or not.
if she asks what i want i most likely will say nothing much and then have toast or something similar. but i eat the meal she has prepared as it would be rude not to
i find that after a decent row im less likely to eat a night meal.
my recommended intake is around 2500 per day which i usually exceed once i have a soft drink during the day with lunch.
sometimes i fast for a couple of days for no particular reason other than i cant be bothered to eat, usually over a weekend.
i drink around 2-3l water per day during the week and less on the weekend

Wow! I have my evening meal about 7pm and if I’m not eating my breakfast by 8am I can’t concentrate and start to get headaches and acidy stomach.
I can’t imagine not eating for a day.

[chrisT]

Me also 2 times a day, breakfast, no fry-ups, cereal is best. Frozen yogurt, not ice cream in summer, no greasy meat, aim for complex carbs before training. I believe the best way to get better, and that's just me unlike the guy above, is tons of ergs. It's not just about being lighter, but just being better at shifting a boat.