Toidukord

Toidukord is an Estonian term for the pattern and timing of meals in a day. The word comes from toid (food) and kord (order, sequence). It describes how often a person eats, at what times, and what meals are included.

In nutrition and everyday language, toidukord refers to meal frequency and spacing, i.e., regularity, not the specific foods eaten. It may involve three main meals plus optional snacks, and it can vary by age, work, and culture.

A typical Estonian toidukord includes hommikusöök (breakfast), lõunasöök (lunch), and õhtusöök (dinner). Breakfast is usually eaten in the morning, lunch late morning to early afternoon, and dinner in the evening; some people also have vahepala or snacks between meals. Common timing ranges are breakfast around 6–9, lunch around 11:30–13:30, and dinner around 17:00–19:00, though patterns differ.

Health and lifestyle aspects: Maintaining a regular toidukord can support steady energy, better appetite regulation, and digestion. Irregular or highly uneven meal spacing may contribute to hunger swings, overeating, or low energy, depending on the individual.

Cultural notes: Toidukord is influenced by work, school, and family routines. In Estonia, traditional meal times and school meal programs shape daily patterns, while modern schedules and globalization lead to more varied patterns and increased snacking.