Does eating at specific times affect weight loss and metabolism?
Asked by elrepo on Jul 26, 2009
in Weight Loss
I've been hearing a lot of different things about particular diets which focus more on the time you eat instead of quantity you eat. For example, not eating carbs after 5pm, or eating a large breakfast will kick start your metabolism for the rest of the day (this one sounds like a good idea, even if it isn't true), or eating set meals at precise times everyday will trigger weight loss. Is there any truth to this?
Answer
Meal timing and frequency does not really affect metabolism in healthy young people. Although when insulin resistance is present, it does help to eat smaller meals more frequently. People usually time their meals to deal with issues of hunger and satiety. Eating breakfast pushes a pattern of regular meals because it leads to burning more glucose earlier, which creates a feeling hunger with in a few hours. (Carbohydrates promote hunger more than protein does.) By having regular meals, you are more likely to get all the nutrients you need. But overall, the number of calories you eat is more important than the timing of your meals.
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