The Best and Worst Times to Eat These 9 Foods
In the past few years, with the rising access to information about healthy eating, it has become much easier to distinguish between healthy and unhealthy food. We tend to think that we are informed enough when we recognize "empty" calories and beneficial foods that nourish our bodies. However, the reality is that even fundamental items such as meat, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products are not meant to be eaten at all times of the day. They can either be beneficial or hazardous depending on the time of consumption. For instance, why is it not advisable to have orange juice in the morning and what could be the repercussions of eating a tomato before sleep? Look below for answers.
1. Meat
Meat, especially red and processed meat, has become a food that many are wary of. This is because excessive consumption increases the chance of suffering from various diseases. Despite this, meat also has significant health benefits that include a high content of proteins, zinc and vitamins, and iron, so those of you who do not avoid its consumption due to conscientious or health reasons should pay attention to what is the most suitable time for its consumption during the day.
Recommended for: lunch
The amount of iron in meat is an ideal source for charging cells and
organs in the body with oxygen carried by the hemoglobin in the blood.
This oxygen is carried to all parts of the body. The immediate effect of
this is a decrease in the level of fatigue that usually attacks us
during these hours of the day.
Not recommended for: dinner
The digestion time of meat can reach up to 5 hours, so consuming it
before bed can damage the functioning of your digestive system and cause
a feeling of heaviness that is harmful to the quality of sleep.
2. Oranges
Citrus fruits are packed with vitamins and minerals that can help keep
our blood pressure normal, reduce cholesterol levels, decrease
inflammation, and improve the digestive process. Plus, they taste
delicious. While many of us relish having fresh-squeezed orange juice in
the morning, it may not be the ideal time or way to consume it...
Recommended for: snacking between meals
Having oranges or drinking orange juice can offer a refreshing energy
boost, so they are a great choice to snack on between meals. Yet, having
them for breakfast may not be the best idea.
Not recommended for: breakfast
While we recommend avoiding oranges at breakfast, it should be made
clear that we are referring to the consumption of oranges or orange
juice on an empty stomach. This may lead to the development of
allergies, irritation of the intestine, and the formation of
inflammation in the mucosal cells that line the stomach. If you want to
eat an orange in the morning, do it sometime after your breakfast to
avoid the negative effects of the fruit on the digestive system.
3. Zucchini & courgette
Although one comes in light green and the other in dark green shades,
there are no significant differences between the zucchini and the
courgette in terms of their nutritional values - which include
potassium and vitamin A - and both are a type of gourd if you didn't
know.
Recommended for: dinner
Zucchini and courgette are good sources of dietary fiber that clean the
digestive tract and intestines, so they are recommended for consumption
as part of a light dinner before bed, or at the end of a heavier lunch.
Not recommended for: breakfast
When we get up in the morning, we are usually dehydrated and our body
needs to regain the fluids it loses during the night. Due to their
potassium content, eating zucchini may cause the body to lose fluids, so
it is not advisable to consume them during breakfast.
4. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are rich in, among other things, lycopene - a natural pigment
that acts as an antioxidant that helps prevent cancer, improves the
function of the immune system, and reduces inflammation. But if you
usually chop a tomato as a side dish for your dinner, you should know
that this is not necessarily the appropriate time to consume it...
Recommended for: breakfast
The natural acids found in tomatoes help the activity of the digestive
system, intestines, and pancreas and balance the acidic environment of
the body. Therefore, it is a great addition to any breakfast in which we
"start" the digestive system.
Not recommended for: dinner
Excessive intake of oxalic acid found in tomatoes has a detrimental
effect on the body's ability to eliminate minerals, and can even lead to
bloating and make it hard to sleep.
5. Apples
The apple is one of the most nutritious fruits, and its peel, which
should be washed before eating, contains pectin, a polysaccharide that
helps regulate the intestines and increases the amount of good
cholesterol. Moreover, it bolsters the lining of the large intestine and
facilitates the expulsion of carcinogens from the body's cells.
Recommended for: breakfast
Eating an apple in the morning is especially beneficial, as it is rich
in fiber and can suppress hunger, allowing for a controlled caloric
intake throughout the day. However, it is not recommended to eat an
apple for dinner or before brushing your teeth.
Not recommended for: dinner (or before brushing your teeth)
Apples raise the level of acidity in the stomach as well as that in the
oral cavity, which may damage the tooth enamel. Therefore, if you want
to brush your teeth after eating, wait about 45 minutes and be sure to
drink water. Otherwise, you may damage this important protective layer.
6. Sugar
Reducing the consumption of sugar in our diet is recommended throughout
the day, especially if it is white and processed sugar. But for most of
us, this is difficult or even impossible. If you feel that you cannot
drink your coffee without sugar or avoid snacking on a cookie, prefer to
do it at certain times rather than throughout the day.
Recommended for: breakfast
If you consume simple (and not complex) carbohydrates such as those
found in white sugar, fruit, honey, and similar foods, your body will
secrete insulin from the pancreas and give you a short feeling of
satiety and arousal that will last about 20 minutes or so. The advantage
of consuming them in the morning is that it is easier for the body to
burn calories at this time of the day.
Not recommended for: dinner
It is not suggested to consume sugar before going to sleep, as this will
cause alertness which is not desirable during the night and that can be
felt the following morning when the body will be hungrier to replenish
the sugar levels that were expended while sleeping.
7. Bananas
Bananas are a fruit that can enhance serotonin levels and consequently
affect our mood. Furthermore, they are beneficial for our muscles,
aiding with regular bowel movements and even helping with iron levels in
the blood, so why not eat them at any time of the day?
Recommended for: lunch
For lunch, the dietary fibers present in bananas can be beneficial for
digestion and even help accelerate the emptying of the intestines and
avert constipation, which is why they can be a great addition to the
daily diet following a full meal. Additionally, they can help prevent
heartburn.
Not recommended for: dinner
Bananas are a food that is known to increase phlegm, so consuming them
before bedtime may lead to a disturbing sensation in the throat and
respiratory system that will make it difficult for you to sleep. It is
also advisable to consume bananas with other foods and not on an empty
stomach to regulate the levels of acidity and insulin that rise in the
body as a result of their consumption - and this is true for all hours
of the day.
8. Legumes
Legumes are a vital nutritional basis for a healthy lifestyle. From
chickpeas to peas, from mullein to soybeans - they should all be
included in our diet. With such advantages, one would think that such a
natural and recommended food would be suitable for consumption whenever
you want. However, it turns out that there is a time for everything,
even when it comes to this healthy food group.
best and worst times to eat foods
Recommended: for lunch
The dietary fiber in legumes is advantageous for the digestive system
and helps reduce blood cholesterol. Alongside their high protein
content, they give us the sense of fullness that we all desire during
lunchtime.
Not recommended for: breakfast
Eating legumes in the morning does not diminish their nutritional value,
and if they are soaked properly, they won't cause any gas. The main
problem with having legumes in the morning is that they can be very
filling and make you feel sluggish and low energy. This is why people
tend to feel tired after a hearty stew.
9. Yogurt
Yogurt is a great source of calcium, protein, and vitamins, and it has
the added benefit of containing good bacteria that can help with
digestion and the functioning of the immune system. It is best to opt
for plain yogurt that only includes milk and friendly bacteria, and not
one with added sugar, fruit, or other additives like stabilizers and
preservatives.
best and worst times to eat foods
Recommended for: dinner
Since it is easy to digest, even for those who are lactose-intolerant,
adding almonds, nuts, cut fruits, or granola to yogurt can make a
healthy, nutritious dinner that will help you sleep better. However, it
is not recommended to have yogurt for breakfast.
Not recommended for: breakfast
Dairy yogurt is quite acidic and not suggested for intake on an empty
tummy, particularly if it does not include seeds or nuts to even it out.
If you eat low-fat yogurt in the morning or sweetened yogurt with
additives, you will miss out on many of its health advantages and begin
your day with an ineffective overdose of sugar, so it is preferable to
leave off the morning yogurt.