A time to eat, and a time to refrain from eating

To every there is a season, even eating. Eating is fuel for our bodies and we need to eat to be healthy. Here are some tips on what to eat and when.

Breakfast. Eating need HIGH. Since we haven’t eaten for about a half of a day, what we eat at this time will affect our bodies more than other times. Foods high in sugar will almost guarantee a sugar crash in an hour or two. A mix of whole-grains and protein will help jump-start the metabolism and keep the body from getting too hungry again too soon.

Mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack. Eating need MEDIUM. If you tend to get too hungry before lunch and dinner, trying eating a small healthy snack midway between meals. A small amount of food will help keep ghrelin levels down and keep us from overeating later.

Pre-exercise snack. Eating need MEDIUM. Some nutritionists say it is best not to eat before a workout, but if you’re like me, consuming a few calories will help increase energy for a more effective workout. Carbohydrates are best at this time since they will give the body quick energy. Just don’t wait too long between eating and exercising and don’t eat too much!

Post-exercise snack. Eating need HIGH. The body needs to refuel, even if we don’t immediately feel like eating after a workout. The best food to eat at this time is protein. Protein helps rebuild the muscles used during a workout.

Late evening snack. Eating need LOW to NONE. Our bodies need rest. There is no need to force ourselves to keep working through the night, especially when it comes to digesting food! We won’t sleep well and we’ll wake up tired. Worse yet, calories turn straight to fat while we sleep since we are not burning the fuel. The best option is to eat dinner 3-4 hours before bed. The meal should include protein and a small portion of healthy fat to sustain us until morning.