⏰ When You Eat Matters! Not Just What You Eat!

At Sunny Health DPC, we remind patients that good nutrition isn’t only about what you eat, it’s also about when you eat. Your body runs on a natural 24-hour rhythm (your circadian clock), and your hormones, digestion, and metabolism all follow it.

Here’s how timing makes a difference:

Morning & Midday:

Your metabolism and insulin sensitivity are at their best. Eating most of your calories earlier helps your body use food for energy, not fat storage.

Afternoon:

Energy and focus can dip, balanced meals with protein and fiber help maintain steady energy and prevent overeating later.

Evening:

Metabolism slows down, and late-night meals (especially high-carb or high-fat) can spike blood sugar and affect sleep quality. Try finishing dinner 2–3 hours before bedtime.

Research backs this up:

A study published in Cell Metabolism (2022) found that people who ate later in the day burned calories more slowly and had higher hunger hormone levels than those who ate the same meals earlier.

So remember, the same meal at 9 AM vs. 9 PM can have very different effects on your body’s hormones and energy balance.

Your body’s rhythm matters!