Well Im looking for one that was in a book I have. Of course my views align with yours, cals in/cals out is more essential. I think Venuto is a multiple meals guy as well. Regardless, at least there is some literature out there. I think Leigh herself is doing some sort of testing of this, not sure exactly though.
Tom is actually a friend of mine. We had an extremely lengthy convo via email regarding this subject. IF I still have it in my email, maybe I will ask Tom if I can share his thoughts with you.
Gist of it was, real world is sometimes in front of science obviously. I mean, bodybuilders have been saying for years that protein requirements are higher than what the government suggests. We were ahead of science.
He listed many, many benefits that come from frequent feeding which is fine and dandy. I am not arguing the efficacy of frequent feeding. I am arguing its impact of over all body recomposition and metabolic rate.
And even if 5 years down the road we have clear cut studies showing its efficacy, my point all along is this:
IF we are working with an individual who has an insane schedule. Think wall street, which I did have a client who worked there. He couldn't stop to eat 5+ times per day. It just wasn't feasible for him. It is not wise to persuade him to change up his schedule just to fit in the more frequent feedings, IMO, when he can get just as good results wrt physique had he eaten 3 meals.
Of course we should always promote frequent feedings, but not push frequent feedings....KWIM?
Long term adherence to a lifestyle is much more important IMO, and pushing a square into a round hole (as in the above wall street example) doesn't mix well with long term adherence.
Numerous meals I do believe should be a guideline that everyone should try and follow. But I think the big benefits that come from it have more to do with other things besides TEF.
Don't get me wrong, TEF is a contributing factor to caloric expenditure. However, what is the metabolic difference from eating 5 meals per day opposed to 3 given the same caloric and macro consumption?
I HIGHLY doubt much based on the studies I have seen and the work I have done. The food sits in the GI tract longer, that is all. Still takes energy to catabolize the higher nutrient consumption of less frequent meals.
I do think Leigh is doing some work on this. I had a convo with her a while ago. I don't think we were discussing meal frequency though.... I thought it was more in line with total caloric intake, energy deficits, and metabolic slowdowns from various energy deficits. I could be wrong though..... Leigh, maybe you can shed some light on the work you are doing.