In winter, the body operates under different rules — this applies not only to sleep patterns but also to meal schedules.
Scientists are increasingly saying that the timing of the last meal affects metabolism. In this regard, Catherine Norton, an associate professor at the Department of Sports and Clinical Nutrition at the University of Limerick (Ireland), recommended switching to early dinners as the cold sets in. Her recommendations were shared by The Conversation.
When to Have Dinner in Winter
The specialist considers the optimal time to be between 5:30 PM and 7:00 PM. The main thing is not only to have dinner by this time but also to ensure that the meal is at least 2–3 hours before sleep, so the body has time to complete digestion.
According to one experiment, people who ate at 10:00 PM had blood sugar levels 20% higher than those who had dinner at 6:00 PM. Consequently, the weight loss rates for the former group were also slowed down.
This helped scientists confirm the thesis that an early dinner is associated with weight loss, improved blood pressure, and normalization of cholesterol and blood glucose levels.
Why You Should Eat Earlier in Winter
The short daylight hours in winter disrupt biological rhythms. We "turn on" later in the morning and get tired earlier in the evening. Late dinners exacerbate these disruptions, making it difficult to sleep and increasing appetite the next day. This creates a feeling of constant hunger during the cold season.
What to Eat in Cold Weather
Nutritionists recommend making the evening menu lighter. Preference should be given to:
fish and seafood;
chicken and turkey;
warm vegetable side dishes;
pureed soups;
low-fat cottage cheese;
eggs in the form of an omelet.
