three squares

three squares pl (plural only)

1. (idiomatic) Three square meals, understood as a complete, satisfying, and nourishing regimen of food taken over the course of a day.
   • 1983 February 2, Garrison Keillor, “A Return to Basics: Mealtime without Guilt”, in New York Times‎, retrieved January 4, 2021:

     Out there in Breughel, N.D., surrounded by an ocean of durum wheat, we got three squares a day, piled our plates and cried Yes! to seconds.

   • 1999 July 20, David Usborne, “Corporate Profile: The Pepsi regeneration”, in Independent‎, retrieved January 4, 2021:

     "We have a more than 50 per cent market share in the US and there is room to grow, especially internationally," said Frito-Lay Vice President, Lynn Markley. "People are beginning to snack more instead of having their old three squares a day."

   • 2010 October 25, Art Carey, “Constant eating helps senior lose weight”, in The Star‎, retrieved January 4, 2021:

     Kay, 79, who lives in Philadelphia's Society Hill Towers, has completely forsaken the conventional three squares a day. Instead, he eats 15 to 20 times a day, grazing and nibbling in the manner of our ancestors.