You’ve always been told that you are what you eat, but recent studies suggest that when you eat could play a bigger part than once thought. Timing is everything, it appears, in helping you to lose weight, in addition to the regular rule of a healthy diet and plenty of physical activity. The study was carried out by Brigham and Women’s Hospital, with the University of Murcia in Spain, whose researchers found that the link between timing and weight loss was significant.
The first large scale study of its kind, researchers discovered that different times at which you eat can determine how effectively you lose weight. Participants who saw a higher increase in weight loss ate earlier than those who saw a slower weight loss rate after eating a late midday meal. The study involved 420 overweight participants, who were analysed over a twenty week period. In the individuals who ate lunch after 3pm, the rate of weight loss was far lower. It was also noted that those in the late-eater group had lower insulin sensitivity. Other meals throughout the day didn’t impact the rate of weight loss.
This strategy suggests that diets should not only focus on the overall calorie intake and macronutrient distribution, but also the timing of when the food is consumed. If you’re looking to lose weight, opt for a balanced diet that’s rich in fruit, vegetables and protein, and try to lower your intake of fat and sugar. Also, ensure that you’re getting plenty of exercise to burn excess fat, improve muscle tone and increase your feeling of wellbeing. If you need further advice on how to lose weight safely and healthily, or you’re new to exercising, speak to your GP who can offer advice on the subject to help you avoid injury or damage to the body.
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