Tweak eating time to stay healthy: Experts

BHOPAL: To shed excess weight, eat early rather than late. Many dieters, who eat on right time tend to lose more weight than those who take meals at irregular time, say experts.
Skipping food at lunch hour and eating at odd hours is one of the biggest reasons for poor health and weight gain, especially with working professionals. "Some of my patients took to restructuring their eating habits.After all, it's not just what we eat, but also when we eat which affects health," said dietician Amita Singh.
Sanjay Shah, 43-year-old lawyer, sought to counsel after he was diagnosed with exceptional high levels of sugar and overweight. As a routine, Shah's daily physical activity was minimum. He takes his lunch after he reaches home in evening and dinner time would be after mid-night, once he finishes attending his clients. Erratic eating schedule was taking a toll on his body.
According to a study, Singh said nearly half of each day's calories needs are consumed after lunch. When people eat late, body does not have sufficient time to burn calories.
For Shah, following a tight eating schedule paid dividends. "He lost about 10% of body weight in a few weeks. The more amazing fact was his blood sugar level reached normal level in a week," said Singh. "When one eats at right time, in right amount, its helps body remain satiated. Craving for food is reduced to minimum," she added.
"Body needs time to burn calories. The later we eat, it ends up being stored as fat," explained community medicine specialist Dr S K Patne. "For many, who skip breakfast or lunch, ultimately end up over eating or eating junk food. It is important for people to spread their calories intake through the day," he added.