Explaining "Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper"

Reviewed and edited by

Lloyd Cooper 13/10/2024, 05:30

English.me team member

What does it mean?

Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper

The phrase suggests adopting a dietary routine where one has a large and nutritious breakfast, a moderate lunch, and a small, simple dinner. This approach is believed to align with the body's metabolism, providing energy when it's most needed and facilitating better digestion and sleep.

Tone

Advisory and metaphorical

Origin

This phrase is commonly attributed to Adelle Davis, a nutritionist in the mid-20th century, who advocated for healthy eating habits. However, it's more of a popular saying without a precise documented origin.

Examples of usage

Following the advice "Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper," Sarah started her day with a filling oatmeal topped with fruits and nuts.
Jim decided to change his eating habits according to the saying, "Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper," so he swapped his usual heavy dinner for a light soup.