When should you be eating your biggest meal? (2024)

It isn't just the food you eat that can impact your weight and health, it's also when you eat it. Most people are brought up thinking that dinner should be the biggest meal of the day, meaning they opt for a light breakfast and lunch.

However, research has found that a smaller dinner and larger lunch could be the key to helping you shift those weight. Even if you have a really healthy diet, eating your biggest meal in the evening is not the best option, according to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

The research found that those who ate half their daily calories at lunch and then just 20 per cent at dinner managed to lose 5 kg on 12 weeks. This is compared to the 4 kg that those who had a bigger meal in the evening lost in the same period.

Food intake among both groups was exactly the same, it was just the time of day when the most food was consumed that changed the results.

However, it isn't just the benefit of better weight loss or management that eating your largest meal at lunch has to offer. There are a few other reasons refuelling fully at midday could be the best option for you.

Food is what gives you more energy and enables you to get through the day. If you eat a big meal at dinner, this energy gets wasted as you'll be going to bed just a few hours later. However, eating more at lunch will give you the boost you need to get through the rest of the day without having to deal with the dreaded mid-afternoon slump.

This can help you achieve more with your day, feel less tired as it goes on and mean you get more out of it as you won't be too tired to move once you finish work. To make the most of the energy that comes from a big lunch, choose a meal that includes complex carbohydrates, protein and healthy fats.

When should you be eating your biggest meal? (2024)

FAQs

When should you be eating your biggest meal? ›

A big breakfast and a light dinner

When should you eat your largest meal? ›

Most people are brought up thinking that dinner should be the biggest meal of the day, meaning they opt for a light breakfast and lunch. However, research has found that a smaller dinner and larger lunch could be the key to helping you shift those weight.

How long before bed should you eat a big meal? ›

While estimates vary, most experts recommend eating a meal two to four hours before bedtime. People who eat meals well ahead of bedtime have enough time to properly digest their food. Taking time between eating and lying down also reduces the risk of GER symptoms and poor sleep.

Is it better to eat one big meal a day or 3 small meals? ›

And some research has shown that more frequent, smaller meals may help increase your metabolism. Mini-meals may have health benefits, along with making it possible to fit into your blue jeans. Research has shown that this eating pattern may contribute to lower cholesterol levels and better blood sugar control.

What time should you stop eating to lose belly fat? ›

There's no set time you should stop eating to lose belly fat, but, as a guideline, you should avoid eating two to three hours before bed to stop it from disrupting your sleep and body clocks, which can cause belly fat gain. Studies show early dinners can help people lose weight.

Which meal should I skip to lose weight? ›

In the case of Intermittent fasting, skipping your dinner is better and easier. You can have your dinner either early or have a heavy snack and can begin your fasting. Research suggests that fasting in the evening and overnight, then eating early in the morning is the better way to follow this diet to lose weight.

Is it OK to eat one huge meal a day? ›

Eating one meal a day can increase your blood pressure and cholesterol. This occurred in a group of healthy adults who switched to one meal a day to participate in a study. If you already have concerns in either area, eating just once a day might not be safe. Eating one meal late can cause your blood sugar to spike.

What should my eating schedule be to lose weight? ›

1: Make breakfast your biggest meal of the day. Make lunch mid-size and dinner the smallest. 2: Eat dinner four hours before bedtime, rather than right before bedtime. 3: Eat lunch earlier, and always before 3 p.m.

What is the ideal gap between meals? ›

Ideal time interval between breakfast, lunch, and dinner

The human body needs at least 3 to 4 hours to completely digest any meal. Therefore, there must be a minimum of four hours between any two meals. A gap that is both shorter and longer than that will result in overeating and acidity, respectively.

Will I lose weight if I eat 3 small meals a day? ›

Research has not shown that eating frequent small meals increases weight loss success, though it may have other health advantages. Eating more often may decrease the feelings of hunger that can sabotage anyone's good intentions.

What burns the most belly fat? ›

Aerobic exercise includes any activity that raises your heart rate such as walking, dancing, running or swimming. This can also include doing housework, gardening and playing with your children. Other types of exercise such as strength training, Pilates and yoga can also help you lose belly fat.

Why am I getting a lower belly pooch? ›

Stress, genes, aging, pregnancy, and weight gain are all common reasons people get lower belly fat. Though some fat in this area is natural, there are a variety of solutions to reduce stubborn belly fat, which we'll examine in this post.

What burns belly fat at night? ›

Pre-sleep habits that can help reduce belly fat include: Create a cool environment in the bedroom: This will help the body start the fat burning process to stabilize body temperature. Drinking water before bed like lemonade contains polyphenols that help to get rid of accumulated fat.

What is the best time to eat when losing weight? ›

While there is no one perfect way to time your meals, there is some evidence that suggests that eating most of your food earlier in the day, going lighter at your evening meal and leaving at least 12 hours between dinner and breakfast may have some health benefits—including enhanced weight loss.

What is the best eating schedule for weight loss? ›

1: Make breakfast your biggest meal of the day. Make lunch mid-size and dinner the smallest. 2: Eat dinner four hours before bedtime, rather than right before bedtime. 3: Eat lunch earlier, and always before 3 p.m.

Is it better to eat 2 large meals a day? ›

Getting accustomed to two larger meals instead of many little ones could do wonders for your waistline, bank balance and mental energy. Not only will you eliminate mindless snacking but you might even have less of an appetite. As they say, sometimes less is more.

Is it better to eat heavy breakfast or heavy lunch? ›

When it comes to dividing calories between breakfast and lunch, experts stress having a heavier lunch than breakfast. But the number changes if you choose to perform a workout in the morning. it is important to replenish yourself post-workout and you need to consume more calories to stay active.

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