What To Eat Before It Gets Dark, According to a Dietitian
Summary
Registered dietitian Sam Siegel says shorter daylight can shift the body clock and sleep patterns, contributing to tiredness and stronger cravings, especially for people with seasonal affective disorder. She recommends eating more during daylight, choosing mostly whole foods, keeping meals regular, and finishing dinner two to three hours before bed.Key Facts
- Siegel says daylight helps set the body clock, and fewer daylight hours can shift melatonin release and the sleep-wake cycle.
- People with seasonal affective disorder may be more likely to eat larger dinners and evening snacks and crave starchy foods.
- Siegel recommends eating more of the day's food during daylight rather than saving most of it for evening.
- Her suggested Mediterranean-style foods include whole grains, vegetables, legumes, fish, fruit, and nuts.
- Siegel says there is no need to move dinner earlier just because it gets dark sooner; she advises finishing dinner two to three hours before bed and keeping meal times regular.
- Refined carbohydrates and sugary snacks can lead to blood sugar changes that may increase hunger, while late caffeine and heavy or spicy evening meals may disrupt sleep.
- For comfort-food cravings, Siegel suggests options such as bean or lentil soups, chili, oatmeal, roasted root vegetables, and whole-grain pasta with vegetables.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
