In the same way bridge foods can reduce overwhelm and make us more resilient, the timing of eating can support us in the same way.
While we all have unique food needs, we are still part of nature and its rhythms. In the same way we have circadian rhythms for sleep, we have digestive rhythms that support our metabolism, moods and detoxification.
Changes to the timing of eating aligns yourself with nature and makes your food more potent medicine. For example, eating at the right times is part of balancing your blood sugar, which prevents anxiety.
And because clients can connect these timing changes to not just stopping anxiousness and cravings before they start, but also giving them stable energy and moods, these changes are easier than most.
3 Easy Changes to Timing of Eating
For starters, never drink caffeine on an empty stomach in the morning. Many clients love to do this because it sends their blood sugar (and anxiety, which fuels their go-go-go) skyrocketing so they can power through the morning.
But what goes up fast, comes down just as fast. The result? We crave carbs, are worn-out and feel low later in the day. Instead, drink caffeine with breakfast or afterwards.
Second, eat breakfast within an hour of waking or an hour post-workout. Often clients think they’re being “good” if they ride out their hunger, only to find themselves at Starbucks at 10 a.m. eyeing the coffee cake. This happens because their blood sugar is crashing from waiting too long to eat.
Third, eat lunch between 12-2 p.m. This is when your digestion is on fire, which corresponds with the sun’s peak. Super neat, right? Your body needs food during this time. Working through lunch or waiting to eat will leave you tired, hangry, and more charged with emotion in the afternoon and evening.
If you want food and life to be easier and simpler, explore these changes to the timing of eating. Look for more stable moods, energy, and fewer cravings and crashing.
P.S. If you have questions about when to eat like “What about intermittent fasting in the morning?” or “But I love having my coffee first thing in the morning and it feels hard to give that up,” check out this Insatiable podcast episode, 5 Quick Weight Loss Fixes. Listen to the audio. Read the transcript. I answer all these questions and give you two more easy changes to make you more physically and emotionally resilient.
Meghan
Hey Ali! Thanks for this series and any insights you can share. I’m wondering what your thoughts are on intermittent fasting and allowing our body to switch into burning our own fat for fuel instead of glucose from food? (I’ve been trying to follow Brooke Castillo’s protocol if you’re familiar with her).
Ali Shapiro
Hey Meghan,
I discuss it more in depth at the podcast I recommended to listen to in this post but in short, there are many ways to get your body into fat burning mode. For example, not snacking helps with this! And so does getting the right amount of light. Check out this episode…it will blow your mind on how nutrition is only a small piece to fat burning: https://alishapiro.com/radical-healing-light-mitochondria-dysfunction-and-weight-gain/
Overall, I’m not a big believer in one-size-fits all protocols (and much health research backs this up). I tend to see the people who intermittent fasting worked for a little bit and then not at all. I personally had a really bad experience with it and I think many women do. However, it does work for some people for some time. Like all tools, I think it’s about matching the right tool at the right time.