To Eat or Not to Eat? What & When is the Answer!

With sooo much information available today on what to eat (or not ), when to eat it (or not ), it's become increasingly difficult for many people to make a simple decision about personal meal planning.

For simplicity, let's discuss basic food functions:
Carbs = Energy
Protein = Growth & Repair

Simple carbs (fruit and candy) and complex carbs (vegetables and whole grains) are both broken down in the digestive system into single-sugar molecules.

Simple carbohydrates consist of one to two linked sugar molecules, and are very easily converted to sugar (energy) by the body.

Complex carbohydrates consist of three or more linked sugar molecules, and therefore require more time/effort by the body to convert these foods into energy.

Protein sources include chicken, turkey, fish, meat, eggs, tofu, etc. Choose the leanest, drug-free (hormones, antibiotics, steroids, etc) sources whenever possible. These foods contain essential amino acids, the "building blocks" of lean tissue (muscle).

Now that you know the basic function of foods, let's look at time frames.

What are you doing over the next 2-3 hours?

If you're getting ready to take a nap or go to bed, how much energy does that require?

Answer: Very little to none, right?

OK, so do not consume a bunch of energy-producing food (ie: carbs), because any unused energy is stored for later use in the form of fat!

Conversely, when does the body repair itself the most? When it's at rest, right?

So, if you're absolutely famished at resting or bedtime, then choosing a hard-boiled egg, or turkey roll-up, or protein shake would be a better option. That way you assist the body by providing the amino acids necessary for the repair and growth process. Got it?

I hope and trust this "Food 101" discussion has been helpful.

Stay tuned for more fitness and nutrition educational nuggets, as I strive to provide easy to understand, immediately-applicable information to help you achieve the level of health and wellness you desire.