When did the modern practice of three meals (four if British ) come about?

by mostirrelephant

In the SPQR novels, a character comments on the barbarian practice of consuming a large noon meal, and how it is catching on in Rome. Is this accurate? Was three meals the standard for gallic society? What other meal times were standards?

Edit: I was not sure if the British considered afternoon tea a meal.

SlothOfDoom

I'm going to commit a minor sin here and link a non-scientific article since the BBC is generally well regarded and it a addresses this topic directly.

I find it interesting that their quoted "food historian" cites the Romans as only eating a noon meal.