I used to vomit a question with my friends, that is, why do people eat three meals a day? It feels like a waste of time. Is it true that China has had three meals a day since ancient times? Actually, no, a long time ago, people only ate two meals a day. The development from two meals a day to three meals a day has gone through a long process.

Modern people are generally used to eating three meals a day, but before Qin and Han Dynasties, people actually only ate two meals a day. As for when the three-meal system began, there are actually different opinions. Some people think that the three-meal system has existed since the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, while others think that it didn't exist until the Yuan Dynasty. Generally speaking, the development from two-meal system to three-meal system is a gradual, parallel and gradually expanding process, which is not completed at once.

First, the level of productivity is an important reason to determine how much food people eat a day. As we all know, ancient agriculture was underdeveloped, so food was limited. It was not until the Qing Dynasty that China introduced corn and other crops, and its population exceeded 1 100 million. Therefore, in ancient times, eating enough was a luxury for many people. In ancient times, even if you only ate two meals a day, not everyone could do it, let alone three meals a day. Therefore, the system of two meals a day is actually linked to the agricultural production level at that time.

Second, two meals a day and three meals a day have different meanings. Today, people often use the word "three meals a day" to express different feelings about time. And two more meals a day means a day goes by. Because agriculture was a pillar industry in ancient times, "work at sunrise and rest at sunset" is a common way of life.

? Third, in ancient times, because of the lack of food, few people could eat enough, let alone eat well. Therefore, eating more is not only to satisfy appetite, but also a symbol of status. Only the rich can eat more. For example, the afternoon tea we saw in TV series can only be enjoyed by nobles.

? In modern times, food is no longer scarce, and ordinary people have no problem with three meals a day. And some people will deliberately eat less in order to lose weight, maybe two meals a day or one meal a day. But in any case, today we don't have to worry about food, which is really a great happiness.