Chrononutrition investigates how the body responds to food at different times of the day. This method includes studying time-restricted eating, fasting, meal regularity, and specific eating times. It’s important that we eat a balanced diet on a schedule that aligns with the 24-hour circadian schedule, Emily Feivor, a registered dietician at Long Island Jewish Forest Hills Hospital in New York, told The Epoch Times.
This helps improve glucose and insulin responsiveness, as well as balance hormones such as cortisol and leptin, she said. “In turn this better controls blood sugar and weight management,” Feivor added. As the day progresses, our bodies naturally slow down, which can affect our digestion and metabolism.
Our individual food needs are influenced by factors such as age, sex, and activity level, Ortiz-Pujols said. Additionally, our daily activity levels play a role in determining the body’s caloric needs. “A more sedentary person will require less caloric intake compared to a more active person,” Ortiz-Pujols noted.
“This is why many people who were athletes in their younger years struggle with weight gain later in life as they no longer maintain those high activity levels but may continue to eat as if they were very active.” Nutrition is highly personalized. What works for one person may not work for another, as a person’s needs, preferences, and lifestyles not only vary but also change with time.
Nutrition discussions often focus on what not to eat and on restrictive diets that are difficult to maintain over the long term, Dr. Ortiz-Pujols said. “Instead, we should focus the conversation on having a varied diet that is inclusive of proteins, fats, carbs, fruits, and vegetables and learning more and incorporating better choices into our diets,” she added.
Many people struggle with the idea of eating solid food in the morning. “For these individuals, I often recommend protein shakes, as it will help to start the day with protein, while not actually eating something,” Ortiz-Pujols said..
