What’s the Best Time to Eat Lunch?
Lunch plays a crucial role in fueling your afternoon energy, stabilizing blood sugar, and supporting overall health. While meal timing research often focuses on breakfast and dinner, the studies on lunch timing point in a clear direction: earlier is better.
You’ve probably heard the analogy that your body is like a car, and food is the fuel that keeps it running. So, think of your day like a long road trip. Breakfast is the fuel that gets you started, but at some point in your journey, you need to get more gas. Lunch is the refill that keeps your body and brain operating at peak performance. Without it — or with a poorly-timed lunch — you’re more likely to run on fumes, leading to energy crashes, cravings and even metabolic consequences.
Studies suggest that eating lunch too late can negatively impact blood sugar control, insulin sensitivity and weight management. At the same time, eating too early may leave you feeling ravenous later in the day, increasing the likelihood of overeating. Below, I’ll break down the best time to eat lunch and what happens when you eat too early or too late. I’ll also share some practical strategies for developing a healthy lunch habit.
Excerpted from Today
