We attempted to determine whether there is a limit to the transient, meal-induced decline in plasma zinc and whether there is a concomitant increase in erythrocyte and erythrocyte membrane concentrations. Premenopausal women participated in a 17-h fasting trial, a one-meal trial with breakfast at 0700, and a three-meal trial with meals at 0700, 0900, and 1100. During fasting, plasma zinc increased 9%; it decreased 11% and 19% in the one- and three-meal trials, respectively (P < 0.001). A limit to the decline in plasma zinc was reached after the second meal in the three-meal trial. Erythrocyte, erythrocyte membrane zinc, and serum calcium and phosphorus concentrations did not change significantly during the three trials. Serum glucose concentrations were weakly related to plasma zinc concentrations, suggesting that the postprandial decline in plasma zinc is associated with the metabolic changes caused by food intake.