According to the Weight-Control Information Network from the National Institutes of Health, it does not matter when you eat during the day. Instead, weight loss and weight control depend on how much you eat and what you eat. However, a few strategies can help you choose wiser eating times and keep your weight in check.
Breakfast
According to MayoClinic.com, breakfast provides people with lasting energy and helps reduce their hunger later in the day, making it easier to limit total calorie consumption. The clinic also states that people who regularly eat a healthful breakfast have lower risks of obesity, tend to be more physically active and tend to make healthier food choices all day long.
Midday
Rather than eating lunch at a set time every day, grazing on healthful foods throughout the afternoon can keep your metabolism active and help turn away the temptation to binge on unhealthful food. Eating every two to three hours can work successfully in a weight loss plan as long as each mini meal is capped at about 200 or 250 calories and consists of healthful, nutritious food.
Evening
Eating a big meal as bedtime creeps closer can present digestive problems and interfere with getting a good night's sleep. The website Help Guide suggests eating your last meal of the day no sooner than two hours before bed and keeping any bedtime snacks to very light items that are free of caffeine and saturated fat. Avoid snacking before bed if you don't feel hungry.
Exercise
Exercise burns calories and can help accelerate the pace of a weight-loss plan. If you work out at any point during the day, MayoClinic.com recommends eating a substantial meal afterward that includes both complex carbohydrates and lean protein to help the body refuel and maximize the positive effects of the workout.
Considerations
Eating times are not the sole factor or even the most important factor in weight loss. To steadily lose weight, it's necessary to eat fewer calories than you burn. If you have any concerns related to your diet or eating times, talk them over with a physician or health-care professional before making changes to your routine.
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