måltids

Måltids is a term used in Norwegian and other Nordic languages that relates to meals and eating occasions. The base noun måltid denotes a specific eating event, such as breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Måltids-, the attributive form used to form compounds, describes something connected to meals rather than functioning as a standalone word. Common compounds include måltidsplan (meal plan), måltidsrytme (mealtime rhythm), and måltidskost (meal-related nutrition). The plural of måltid is måltider.

In nutrition, education, and hospitality, måltids terminology helps describe how meals are structured, prepared, served, and balanced. These terms are used to discuss frequency, portion size, timing, and the nutritional composition of meals within a day or a particular setting, such as schools, workplaces, or homes.

Culturally, meals occupy a central place in daily life across Nordic countries, with traditions and practices that vary by region and context. Everyday meals (hverdagsmåltider) and festive or ceremonial meals (festmåltider) illustrate how the concept of måltid covers both routine nourishment and social occasions. The terminology also appears in phrases describing policies and plans, such as meal provisions in institutions or guidelines for balanced eating.

Related terms include måltid (singular), måltidsplan, festmåltid, and other compounds that frame meals within planning, nutrition, and cultural practices. Overall, måltids serves as a broad umbrella for discussing meals and their role in daily life.