Some experts claim that the timing of when we eat is incredibly important while others insist that you don’t need to follow a set schedule. Either way, we can all agree that we should fuel our bodies when we’re hungry!
Consider Your Body’s Needs
On the one hand, your body needs nutrition; no matter what the time of day. On the other hand, we need to eat in moderation and not overindulge. Our circadian clocks also play a huge role in our physiology. In the long term, regular disruption to our daily rhythms – whether eating late in your day or eating later than you normally do – can upset your metabolism and even your overall health if the unhealthy patterns continue.
So with that in mind, you should focus on eating healthy and worry about what you eat as well as when you eat. For example, by eating every three to four hours, you can establish a routine and keep your blood sugar stabilized.
Consider Your Schedule
If you believe that you should eat certain meals with set portions at fixed times of the day, then make sure that you eat less between 6 and 10 p.m., especially if you work traditional hours. If you work a night shift, then you will likely need to adjust your meal times and food intake accordingly. However, most people should not skip meals or eat dinner too late.
Focus on What – Not When – to Eat
Angela Hattaway, a nutritionist and personal trainer says that just because we are less active at night, does not mean that we should not eat during those times. What it does mean is that we should be conscientious about what we eat. Conversely, your energy supplies, in the form of food, don’t flow into your body continuously but rather in bursts when you consume meals. Your body might handle that energy spurt in the form of calories more or less effectively, depending on the time of day and on your own metabolism.
What the Data Shows
In a survey of 1,000 dieters, Forza Supplements found that 84 percent of them believed that sticking to strict meal times plays an important role in weight loss. A further 76 percent thought that breakfast was the most important meal of the day. Three-quarters of those polled reported that they benefited from having a light lunch and from never skipping a midday meal. Eating a light dinner early in the evening helps maximize weight loss since the average person is less active then. Larger meals at night mean that extra calories are more likely to turn to fat.
Kevin Jones is a freelance writer, researcher and fitness instructor/consultant. He had helped hundreds of people find ways to become more fit and healthy through a balanced life focusing on an individualized approach to their nutrition and fitness. In addition, Kevin has written extensively in the fitness and health industries, including writing for companies such as a ICON Fitness brand NordicTrack. Connect with Kevin online; LinkedIn – Twitter
