Hungry or Hangry? 6 Tips to Master Your Meal Timing

06 Nov Hungry or Hangry? 6 Tips to Master Your Meal Timing

Around the start of the holiday season, I get a lot of questions about adjusting meal times for many reasons – the time change, differing meal times due to holiday gatherings, or keeping energy high during the dark winter months.

The question of meal timing is actually more nuanced than it might seem and hinges heavily on individual factors. The simplest answer is: it depends on you. Your body’s needs, goals, and overall health play a big part in determining the best approach.

Six Key Points About Skipping Meals:

1. Maintaining Steady Blood Sugar If you experience energy highs and lows throughout the day, you likely need to eat before your energy dips too low. Eating at the right times can help prevent those intense hunger episodes that lead to overeating. Aim to fuel up before your energy crashes, keeping your blood sugar levels stable.
2. Opting for Whole Foods Over Processed When it’s time to eat, focus on real, whole foods rather than processed snacks. If you wait until you’re overly hungry, you might be more inclined to grab processed foods, which can lead to further energy swings. A balanced meal with fiber, protein, and healthy fats will help keep you full longer and sustain your energy.
3. Exploring Intermittent Fasting Meal timing should support your lifestyle and goals, not leave you running on empty. If intermittent fasting fits your objectives, it’s worth experimenting with – but don’t fall into the trap of skipping meals just to cut calories. For many, a fasting window of 12-15 hours works well, especially for women, while men may be able to extend that a bit longer.
4. Listening to Your Hunger Cues You don’t need to eat just because it’s a set mealtime. Ideally, you’ll feel naturally hungry every 3-4 hours, especially if you’re eating nutrient-dense meals. Tune into your body’s signals, eating when you feel hungry and stopping once you feel satisfied—not stuffed.
5. Building a Routine Your body functions best with a predictable eating schedule. If you frequently skip meals or eat irregularly, it can disrupt hunger cues and make it harder to anticipate when you’ll next need food. Try to establish a routine that works for your day-to-day life, so your body can rely on a steady rhythm.
6. Keeping the Big Picture in Mind Your meal timing and food choices should ultimately make you feel energized, satisfied, and full enough. The goal is to find a pattern that works well for your energy needs and overall wellness.

Ready to bring an end to the afternoon energy crashes?

If you’ve been feeling like it’s time to take your life off the back burner but just don’t know where to begin—whether it’s for menopause support, weight loss, boosting mental well-being, or safeguarding your future health—I’m here to guide you.

Schedule your FREE call NOW if you know it’s time to take action!