3 meals a day

[Tinefis]

Hi,

I'm just finishing up my third Whole30 and feeling great!  

Unfortunately, I haven't read the book "It Starts With Food"(have purchased it now though and it's on it's way to Sweden!) , and a friend pointed out to me that one has to eat 3 meals a day, plus snacks before AND after excising. 

I've been eating paleo for about 4 years now, and become good at listening to my body, when it needs nutrition and when I am simply just craving. So this whole eating 3 times a day seems like an overkill to me.

Does one HAVE to eat three meals a day plus snacks? 
I usually eat two meals a day, and sometimes a snack, but not every day. 
If I have the time and I feel hungry enough for it, I eat breakfast, but sometimes breakfast is eaten at lunch, and then I have dinner later that day.
When I go to the gym, I go on in the morning, not eating anything before. Then I eat once I get home again, before having to work, study or whatever else I have planned that day.

How do you guys follow this "3 meals a day" -rule?

Regards,
Tine

[GFChris]

It's not required, but the three daily meals are highly recommended for optimal hormonal balance. The idea is to create meals, composed of protein, veg and fat, that satiate you for 4-5 hours.

Pre and post workout fuel is recommended depending on exercise intensity. Pre wo is protein and fat. Post wo is protein and carb.

Also, for hormonal balance, the recommendation is to eat meal 1 within an hour of waking.

You'll see all this spelled out in ISWF, when you receive it. :-)

[Tom Denham]

Here is the actual eating plan of the Whole30: http://whole30.com/downloads/whole30-meal-planning.pdf  The portion sizes are actually modest.