so what is a meal?

So what is a meal? Does there have to be a meat and a vegetable ton constitute a meal? If so, how is it possible for a vegetarian or vegan to eat a "meal"? If this is the definition of a meal then there will be countless exceptions to the rule. Is it possible to have a meal in a fully liquid form or must there be solids involved? Usually when asked what is a meal people are likely to respond that a meal is food eaten at breakfast, lunch, or dinner time. While a morning breakfast, midday lunch, and evening dinner are considered to be typical meal times how does it guarantee that what we are eating at the time constitutes a meal? Does eating a pint of moose tracks ice cream in the place of dinner mean that I ate a meal, or thawing a bag of precooked edimame and eating them at dinner time but as I walk to class, does that constitute a meal? There seem to be hidden rules about what actually equals a meal and what is simply an extra on the side or a snack instead of a full blown meal. Mary Douglas claims that meals and drinks are different but if you turn on the television you are likely to see an advertisement for a meal in a bottle whether it is a drinkable yogurt or slimfast. All of these products that are promoted as having the same nutrients as a regular sit-down meal so what does it mean to have a meal? Typically women are more likely to accept a meal that is in liquid form due to the idea that it will help them lose weight. Men on the other hand tend to want a meal that has a substantial piece of meat. Different cultures are more likely to have different guidelines for pinpointing what a meal is. In addition different classes will be willing to accept different answers for a meal and sometimes even within the different ages of a class. I know people of a lower class who accpet eating meals at McDonald's for any meal of the day but people of an upper class only find it acceptable for children and teenagers to eat at somewhere like McDonald's. So what acctually is a meal? This question I believe depends on who is answering it but in general is likely to include answers such as time, place, and what is eaten.