If you're regularly feeling an energy slump in the afternoon, rather than grab a bag of cookies, you may consider instead changing the time that you eat lunch. Eating a heart-healthy breakfast and a high-protein sandwich at lunch at particular times of day can have a positive effect on your metabolism and, if you're dieting, weight loss as well. We spoke with Courtney Pelitera, MS, RD, CNSC of Live It Up and a registered dietitian nutritionist, about scientific studies that link meal timing with maintaining a healthy weight.
A meal eaten too close to sleep forces the body to focus energy and resources on digestion, impacting the quality of our sleep and increasing wakefulness.