When it comes to the foods you eat, the time at which you eat them can dictate how the body responds. Eating a particular food item too late in the day may lead to weight gain, but eating that same food item for breakfast may improve your digestive health. Optimal health starts with high-functioning digestive system, which is why we did some digging into Ayurvedic teachings.
We believe that natural foods and herbal supplements can have an extremely positive impact on overall health. By eating foods that are naturally suited for your body, i.e. fresh fruits, vegetables, and nuts and seeds, you establish healthy digestion and absorb nutrients more efficiently. Eat wisely by not consuming foods like meat, meat products, dairy products, processed foods, fried foods, added sugars, or genetically modified foods. In other words, our bodies weren’t designed to eat genetically engineered or antibiotic-laden foods, so avoiding them can keep you healthy.
Eat quality foods that are a little juicy or oily to improve digestion and nutrient absorption. Extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil are both great to use for healthy digestion. Listen to your body and feed it what it needs, but don’t overeat. Eating the right sized portions (no bigger than two fists combined) can help you stay at a healthy weight too!
Now, the foods you eat can do you good or bad, depending on when you eat them. First off, eating very late at night isn’t beneficial because it can be hard on the digestive system. The body is sensitive, which is why we’ve detailed what times you should eat some very common foods. Employ these food times into your diet and you’ll be on your way to a healthy digestive system.
Bananas
This potassium-rich fruit is best consumed at lunch, believe it or not. It can improve your skin health and boost the immune system, whereas eating bananas at night can disturb digestion and lead to excess mucus formation.
Potatoes
A lot of people like to eat potatoes for dinner, but their calorie content can lead to weight gain. It is beneficial to eat potatoes for breakfast because their healthy starch can lower cholesterol and your body can better absorb the nutrients.
Oranges
Oranges are a great way to get vitamin C in your diet. Eating them at breakfast, however, can cause stomach irritation and gastritis. Oranges are best eaten as snacks because they can boost your metabolism and improve digestion.
Apples
An apple away keeps the doctor away. The fine print should be, “if you eat the apple at the right time.” Apples are great to eat for breakfast because they are rich in fiber and contain pectin, which lowers blood sugar and cholesterol levels. On the other hand, pectin is hard to digest at night and it increases stomach acid.
Tomatoes
Believe it or not, tomatoes are actually best eaten at breakfast time. Their antioxidants help improve digestion and help speed up metabolism. Eating tomatoes for dinner, however, can cause stomach swelling.
Rice
Rice is a staple food in many cultures, but is it doing the body any good if eaten at dinner? The answer is no. Eating rice at dinner can lead to weight gain, which is why it is best to eat rice for lunch. Your metabolism is functioning at its best during the day, allowing your body a chance to use up the carbs from the rice.
Dried Figs & Apricots
It is best to eat these dried foods in the morning around breakfast time, or as mid-morning snacks. They help boost your metabolism and speed up digestion, but night consumption can lead to indigestion or gas build-up. Remember: eating dried foods without sulfur is always the healthier option.
Nuts
Walnuts, almonds, Brazil nuts, or pecans are all great healthy fats, but you should eat them in the afternoon around lunchtime. Eating them at night can lead to weight gain, though.
Leafy Greens
When it comes time for dinner, it is best to eat leafy greens like Romaine lettuce, spinach, kale, or arugula because all of these are low in calories and rich in fiber. The fiber and protein content helps you feel full for a longer time than eating carbs like potatoes at dinner.
Bell Peppers
Bell peppers actually have more vitamin C than oranges and they have a metabolism-boosting compound that can promote weight loss. Eat bell peppers at night because the high vitamin C content can help combat built-up stress hormones from the day. You can even have these as a late afternoon snack with some hummus.
Other foods that are great to eat at dinner include onions, broccoli, garlic, and fermented vegetables.
Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.
