Depending on your body’s natural sleep pattern, the latest time to eat your dinner may vary from person to person. Generally speaking, it is not a good idea to eat a late dinner as this can affect your metabolism.
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day
Getting your body to start the day with a healthy breakfast can improve cognitive performance, mood and overall health. It’s a great way to kickstart your day and prevent you from letting the mid-day slump set in.
The first meal of the day provides an opportunity to fuel your body with key nutrients, like protein and fiber. This helps keep your blood sugar steady throughout the day. The body can start using its stored energy in a process called thermogenesis. This process can increase metabolism by up to 10 percent.
There is also some evidence that breakfast improves the insulin response in people with type 2 diabetes. This is important, as insulin resistance is a common metabolic issue that leads to diabetes.
Breakfast is also a way to maintain low cholesterol. A recent study found that people who eat breakfast are less likely to develop heart disease. Despite these findings, there is still a lot of research to be done.
It’s not a good idea to eat right before bed
Whether you want to lose weight or maintain your current weight, meal timing is important. Eating at the right time helps you feel full and helps your body burn calories.
A recent study conducted at the University of Pennsylvania found that healthy adults who ate late at night had higher blood sugar levels. They also had a higher risk of heart disease. Eating late at night has also been associated with type 2 diabetes.
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) advises against eating within two hours of going to bed. This is because the body needs time to digest the food. The food may cause reflux or heartburn, which can disrupt sleep.
Many nutritionists recommend a three-hour gap between eating and going to bed. This allows the body time to break down the food and move it from the stomach to the smaller intestines. This can also reduce the risk of digestive problems.
A structured bedtime snack is one option. This may help your body manage blood sugar and help you sleep better.