Snacking Constitutes 25 Percent Of Calories Consumed In U.S.

Six meals per day according to AdipOprah's experts.

Sue her and them.

Snacking, especially beverage consumption outside of a regular meal, continues to increase among Americans, accounting for more than 25 percent of calorie intake each day, according to research presented at the 2011 Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Annual Meeting & Food Expo®.

Between 1977 and 2006, snacking in the American diet has grown to constitute "a full eating event," or a fourth meal, averaging about 580 calories each day, said Richard D. Mattes, Ph.D., professor of foods and nutrition at Purdue University.

The amount of secondary eating and drinking - consumption while engaged in another activity - has also increased. Between 2006 and 2008, time spent eating primary meals - breakfast, lunch and dinner - remained consistent at 70 minutes. However, secondary eating doubled from 15 minutes each day in 2006 to nearly 30 minutes in 2008, and secondary drinking jumped nearly 90 percent from 45 to 85 minutes.

Idiots.