Timing Meals for Weight Loss

Posted On: 09-29-2017

If you have been working on losing weight, you may have already noticed that the times you eat throughout the day will definitely affect your results, your energy levels, and your overall weight loss experience. To make the most out of your weight loss, time your meals and snacks carefully to keep your metabolism active and to avoid elevated blood sugar levels.

When to Eat Breakfast

To avoid dropping blood sugar levels and to get your metabolism churning for the day, you should eat your breakfast within one hour of waking up. Incorporate hard boiled eggs, peanut butter, turkey sausage, or other forms of protein to help you start your day with energy. It is ideal to have breakfast sometime between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.

When to Eat Lunch

You should make sure that you eat lunch as early as possible, and no later than 3:00 p.m. It’s best to eat lunch early because you want to consume the majority of your calories for the day with enough time for your body to burn what it does not need.

When to Eat Dinner

Similar to lunch, it is best to eat dinner as early as possible. The best time will likely be between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Avoid the urge to eat to the point of excess for this meal, and have a reasonable number of calories with a balance of protein and vegetables.

Do I Need Snacks?

Snacks are not a necessary part of your day, but depending on your activity level, you might need the energy boost in between meals that snacks can provide. As an added benefit, a reasonable snack can help you to avoid eating too much at your next meal. However, snacking after dinner is not recommended for weight loss progress. For healthy snacks, choose a handful or less of cheese, raw vegetables, fruit, or nuts.

If you cannot eat at these times every day, it’s okay. Try not to stress out too much about the timing of your food consumption, especially if you follow an untraditional work or sleep schedule. Your doctor will be able to help you figure out the best way to space out your meals.

See Related Articles