Choosing the right diet can be a challenging task, with numerous options like Mediterranean diets, intermittent fasting, and carnivorous meals making headlines. However, experts warn that a common mistake could leave you waking up feeling exceptionally hungry. Professor Tim Spector and Dr Sarah Berry highlight the importance of meal timing in managing hunger levels. Dr Berry explained on a ZOE podcast episode that eating late in the day can lead to waking up more hungry the next morning compared to finishing food earlier.
Moreover, research from 2022 suggests that eating right before bedtime may disrupt the body’s internal clock, potentially leading to weight gain and an increased risk of diabetes. Dr Joseph Bass emphasised the impact of the dietary environment on the body’s clock system. To combat this issue, Professor Spector recommends avoiding food for at least 12 hours overnight to allow the body time for recovery and repair.
Additionally, eating earlier in the day can have positive effects on blood sugar control, hormonal balance, and quality of sleep, as noted by Healthshots. Professor Spector pointed out that the body’s cells, including gut microbes, undergo changes during fasting periods, enhancing efficiency and preparing the body for the morning. By understanding the significance of meal timing and allowing adequate fasting periods, individuals can potentially manage hunger levels and improve overall health.
The world of weight loss can often seem daunting with various diet plans available. However, experts suggest that paying attention to meal timing and avoiding late-night eating could be key to controlling hunger and supporting overall well-being. Make informed choices about when you eat to reap the benefits of improved metabolism and potentially better weight management.
“There was a really interesting study that came out last year that I think really nicely illustrates what’s going on by eating late in the day. And in this study they gave people exactly the same food over exactly the same time period, but half of the people had the food slightly earlier in the day and the other half had the same food slightly later in the day. …Those people who were having it later in the day, despite eating late in the evening, woke up the next morning lots more hungry than the people who were finishing their food a lot earlier in the day.” – Dr Sarah Berry