Eating less while on a body building program

You know how body builders have to eat lot of foods (like protein and carbs) to gain muscle? They even have to excercise to produce muscle, right?

But what if...they excercise but eat less food?
Would their bodies still make muscle?

I would not advise it.. Your body would start to eat itself if it would not get enough nutrition.. Your best bet would be to eat six small meals a day instead of 3 full course meals.. Your body would absorb the food better and build you lean muscle