I think it's best to eat according to your body type. If I don't eat over 5000 cals/day...forget it I don't grow. I need to eat massive amounts of food, especially carbs to put on any type of mass. Sure, if I don't exercise and sit on the couch all day eating 5000 cals. I get really fat, but, when I hit the gym religiously 4-5 days/ week I won't gain any mass unless I'm stuffing myself with food. I'm 32 and don't do any cardio and I have to eat every 2 hours, even eat tons of junk food and my weight stays the same. Some guys hold onto everything they eat, some guys burn everything off quickly...