Kelsey HigginsonSports Nutrition Coach and Founder at Clutch Day Coaching

How many times a day should athletes eat

9 Jul 2025 · 0 min

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0:24

In this brief instructional segment, the speaker addresses elite athletes who train one to two times daily, recommending that they consume at least three solid meals and two to three substantial snacks each day. The snacks should provide roughly 250–300 calories each and consist of nutrient‑dense foods such as a peanut‑butter‑and‑jelly sandwich, an apple with peanut butter, or a cheese stick, rather than minimal, low‑calorie options. The overall message emphasizes the importance of adequate meal frequency and snack quality to properly fuel high‑intensity training.

Athletes, how many times a day should you be eating? Elite athletes training at least 1 to 2 times a day need at least 3 meals and 2 to 3 snacks per day along with that. And I don't just mean a fruit snack as a snack. I mean, uh, 250 to 300 calorie real snack, PB&J, apple and peanut butter with a cheese stick, something that's going to actually fuel your body instead of just something teeny and small.