Fueling Yourself Right, 24 Hours a Day- Here’s How

Hello Ziddis! Till now we have been running in circles with what to eat. But do you know when you eat is equally important? Yes, it is! The best-kept secret of the fitness world is out in the open for you. Your meal timings directly impact your health, wellness and fitness goals. The way you space out your meals can make or break your day. It’s not just about what you eat, but when you eat. Understanding the best dinner time for yourself is the key to keeping up a great performance at work, the gym or just getting through a busy day.

Do Meal Timings Really Have an Impact?

The short answer is yes! Meal timing can affect everything. The longer answer is that your meal timings directly impact your energy levels, your fitness, your metabolism and also your resting cycle. Studies have shown that eating at regular intervals helps maintain stable blood sugar levels and improves metabolism, keeping you energized throughout the day.

You need to have certain timing when you should not skip a meal like breakfast and some during which you should not eat at all like late at night or right before sleep.

What Are Ideal Meal Timings?

The ideal meal timing can vary depending on what your lifestyle is, your nature of work and your sleep cycle. But to have a look at it from a more general lens, one can safely say that:

• Breakfast must happen within an hour of waking up. This can kickstart your metabolism.
• Lunch is usually done 4-5 hours after breakfast so that your body has enough gap to digest the breakfast and you can have a healthy and filling lunch.
• Dinner is usually 4-5 hours after lunch.
• Snacks: You can have little snacks in the window between meals but you need to understand what little means and the snacks should in no way become a hindrance to your appetite for the next meal.
• Before Bed: You should aim to have your last meal of the day at least 2-3 hours before bed to allow for proper digestion.

Knowing what is an ideal meal time for your body and schedule can be a game changer in your fitness journey. 

One Meal A Day: Is It Sustainable?

There is a long list of fad diets that never worked for everyone. It is highly inadvisable that you starve yourself to get fitter. Your body needs energy for the movement it does to get fit and stay healthy. The idea of eating one meal a day (OMAD) has gained popularity but it is definitely not a sustainable option. While some may make it work for themselves, others will end up having energy dips and nutrient deficiencies.

A more balanced approach involves eating multiple meals that keep your body fueled. If you feel you need to starve yourself to reach your fitness goal try to understand portion control. As per studies, there is nothing you shouldn’t eat unless advised otherwise by your physician. But, you need to eat everything in appropriate portions. Eating one meal a day is not the solution but understanding what and when to eat is the right way.

What is the Best Time to Eat Dinner?

Ideally, in an Indian ayurvedic context, the best time to eat dinner or to have the last meal of the day is before sunset and post that should fast until the break of dawn. But considering our modern lifestyle, this Ayurvedic way of living can not work sustainably. Most of us who go to work come home way past evening. Trying to have your dinner by 8 pm is a more logical and attainable goal. By doing so, you will have better digestion, quality of sleep, weight control, and metabolism. Understand your schedule and what is the best dinner time for you. Make sure it is not too late. It is also advised that you avoid heavy, rich foods late at night as your body prepares to wind down. These foods can make it harder to digest them efficiently.

Fit Food to Supercharge Your Body

It is a protein-rich meal or snacking option. These are packed with loads of proteins, complex carbs like oats and healthy fats through seeds and nuts. MuscleBlaze has a huge range of Fit Foods from protein bars to oats and even peanut butter! You can have these for breakfast or casual munching when you get cravings or hunger pangs between meals. They ensure that you have lasting energy for the day and stay fueled when you’re on the go, especially with a busy day of working or working out!

Super Hydrate your Drinks

While you still may consider One Meal a Day, it is important to keep yourself hydrated. A tall glass of water refilled around 8-10 times should be good for you. But can you increase the amount of nutrition a glass of water can give you? Adding some electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and magnesium can help you keep a check on your body’s fluid balance. This is especially great after you have a tedious, high-intensity workout to replenish your body with all the minerals you lost. Try out the range of electrolytes that MuscleBlaze offers for a more nutritious way of keeping yourself hydrated in many flavours!

Takeaway

Meal timing plays a vital role in how you feel and perform throughout the day. By sticking to a structured meal plan and staying hydrated, you can fuel your body for peak efficiency and wellness. These are your key principles for staying on track and achieving your fitness goals in a more sustainable and healthy manner instead of starving yourself.