The Sugar Science – Things you need to know before dieting!
Apart from knowing the glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) of foods we consume, there are several factors to consider before dieting.
The first is the time of meals. Like what you eat, the timing of your meals affects your health. Your body functions best when you eat at regular intervals. It can help with digestion, boost your mood, and maintain a regular supply of energy.
For example, eating breakfast at the same time every day can speed up your metabolism, while eating dinner at the same time every day promotes better sleep. Overeating is also avoided with regular meals.
The circadian rhythm, an internal clock that runs on a 24-hour cycle, regulates a number of bodily processes, including digestion. This clock is kept in sync by eating meals at the same time every day, which improves digestion and nutritional absorption.
When you eat at regular intervals, your body can better predict when to release digestive enzymes and hormones such as insulin. This helps to break down food more effectively and improves digestion overall. Therefore, eating at regular intervals helps your pancreas function better, which in turn helps to manage blood sugar levels and prevent hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, in diabetes individuals.
To benefit from this, a diabetic patient should aim for three main meals along with two or three snacks in between, spaced at regular intervals of at least three hours. Balance your meals with proteins, carbohydrates, and fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Above all, personalized guidance from a physician is a must.