Timing Your Meals Is Essential For A Lean Body
Are you doing this all wrong? There is a practical method behind eating at the right time. It’s not only what you eat, but when you eat. Missing a meal and eating at different times every day can really mess with your metabolism. Skipping meals will not help you loose weight but instead gain weight. The idea is to create a schedule so that your body uses nutrients throughout the day and your not rushing to cram food down your throat.
6:00-7:00 a.m. Jumpstart your metabolism
Most have heard breakfast shouldn’t be skipped and should be your biggest meal of the day. Although some of this is true it doesn’t necessary mean you gorge on calories and eat until your stuffed. Your body will burn more calories earlier in the day when your metabolism is higher and when you are most active. As the day progresses you start to wind down for the day with the exception of your workout, so naturally; so does your metabolism. Don’t skip a meal as your body needs essential nutrients to progress through the day and coffee is not exactly one of them.
What to eat:
- Oatmeal mixed with fruit
- Eggs (Hard-boiled or egg-whites scrambled)
- Fruit (bananas, grapefruit, strawberries,oranges)
- Yogurt
- Protein Pancakes
- Protein drink
9:00-10:00 a.m. Reduce Cravings While Maintaining Energy Levels
This is where your self-control kicks in. If you work in an office where people just love to bring in food especially food high in calories is definitely a way to sabotage your metabolism. Prepare your foods in advance so that you are not tempted to eat weight-gaining food that will most likely get you sleepy.
What To Eat:
- Carrots with Peanut Butter or Hummus
- Protein Shake or Smoothie
- Hard-Boiled Eggs
- Dried Fruit/Nut Mix
- Cottage Cheese mixed with fruit
12:00-1:00 p.m. Eat now to eat less later
It’s lunch time! Don’t skip this meal, yes we are all busy but to get through the day without feeling drowsy eat a well balanced lunch. Lunch is still considered a larger meal but don’t eat so much that makes you want to go to sleep. Eat a lean and satisfying lunch making sure you don’t overeat.
What To Eat:
- Tuna or Egg Wrap
- Chicken Breast with vegetables
- Protein Shake with fruit
- 22 Lunch Ideas
- Salad with chicken or tuna
- 11 Easy Lunches To Lose Weight
3:00-3:30 p.m. Keeping Your Energy Levels High
This is the time of day when you start to get the munchies and everything in the vending
machine looks tempting or the kids snacks that are calling out to you. This is the snack that you want to ensure that is not high in calories or sugar. Eating a midday snack will give you the much needed energy to get through the remainder of your day and depending on your workout time enough energy to get you started through your workout.
What To Eat:
- Banana or apple with peanut butter
- Dried Fruit or nuts
- Yoplait Yogurt Greek 100 or plain yogurt with granola and fruit
- Protein Bar or Hard-boiled eggs
- Smoothie Bowl Recipes
- High Protein portable snacks
5:30-6:30 p.m. Replenish with a balanced dinner
When it comes to your dinner meal, the goal should be to make it as balanced as possible but don’t overeat as this will cause your body to retain rather than burn. Eating well will help avoid making unhealthy last-minute food choices. Plan your meals ahead like on a Sunday & Wednesday. Create your shopping list based on your dinner menu for the week.
What To Eat:
- Barilla Protein Plus Pasta with turkey meat and tomatoes
- Mixed Salad with chicken or tuna
- Seasoned chicken with mixed vegetables
- Black Bean and Feta Stuffed Burrito
- Healthy eating made easy with these simple recipes
8:30-9:00 p.m. Still hungry, keep it simple!
Remember, your body is slowing down for the evening and so does your metabolism. If you consume too many calories late into the night often you will most likely gain weight depending on what you eat and how much. If your body can’t burn it or use it, the excess will be stored as ‘fat’.
What To Eat:
- Cottage Cheese with fruit
- Almonds (protein, leep-supporting amino acid tryptophan)
- Fruit (banana, apple, grapes, etc)
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Half of serving protein shake
A balanced diet helps you manage your calorie intake and get the nutrients you need throughout the day. Remember, you want a lean body so plan your meals and snacks ahead for the week so that you are not scrambling looking for something to eat or making poor choices of food that just don’t fit into your nutritional program.
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