Final answer:
During the Elizabethan era, people generally ate two main meals a day: a substantial midday meal called 'dinner' and a lighter evening meal called 'supper'. A small breakfast was also sometimes consumed, although less commonly among the lower classes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question 'How many meals do people during the Elizabethans generally eat each day?' pertains to the dietary habits and meal frequency during the Elizabethan era. The Elizabethan era is a period associated with the reign of Queen Elizabeth I and is known for its cultural achievements and historical significance. To understand typical eating patterns during this time, we need to look at the broader historical context of food availability and economic conditions. For instance, we can consider the food consumption of the average worker in the early 1600s. According to economist Brad DeLong, such a worker in Western Europe could afford 2,500 food calories per day on average, which matches the general daily caloric need for an adult.
However, this figure does not directly answer the question of how many meals were eaten each day, which would have varied based on social status, availability of food, and cultural practices. While not precisely outlined in the provided reference material, historical sources suggest that the common meals in the Elizabethan era were predominantly two: the main meal at midday, called 'dinner', and a lighter evening meal, known as 'supper'. In addition, some people may have had a small breakfast, but this was not as common among the lower classes due to resource constraints.