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It’s a common question, with no definitive answer. Chrono-nutrition. Circadian Clock. Two terms I came across while researching this frequently asked question. When I competed in body building competitions, everyone was on the eat-every-two-hours diet. Small portions, a lot of proteins and vegetables and calories counted to fit your needs. It definitely worked, I ate a lot throughout the day, but I also kept within my numbers. We all have a number, and you can figure it out on sites like www.active.com. 3500 calories=1 pound. So to lose one pound in a week you need a deficit of 3500 calories. But there are studies on when to eat, and will timing your meals out change the way you burn calories and keep blood sugars low? Chrono-nutrition, is how the body is affected when you eat food throughout a 24 hour period. The Circadian clock, is what makes organisms able to regulate their biology and behaviors (eating included) according to environmental changes in the day and night cycle. One study really got my attention. They took mice and fed them the exact same amount of food. Group one was able to eat it whenever they wanted, and the group two was given food in the morning and the early evening. The second group had a 12 hour period without food. The second group, was determined healthier and had a lower BMI. They did this study again and again. Finally a doctor decided to perform the study on humans. The results?? The same! Th
ey ate breakfast a little a little later and dinner a little earlier. Giving them a 12 hour fasting period. And they lost weight. If we ate like animals still do, hunting all day and eating when we can. Sleeping at night fall. (Of course this all depends on the animal. Certain animals would do the opposite). But my point is, they eat for efficiency. And have about a 12 hour period of fasting. Of course this is realistic for everyone. I know WHAT you eat will change your body composition. Now its time to try WHEN you eat. There’s tons of inconclusive studies out there. And in reality we just need to make sure we aren’t putting junk into our bodies. Eating a big healthy breakfast and an early, small portion dinner seems to be a good start. And I am a huge advocate of meal prepping, conveinance is everything.