What is nutrient timing? Is it still part of fitness training after 2021?

Our bodies have a natural biological clock called the circadian rhythm. Every action of the human body is fine-tuned to this clock. This includes eating as well. The hormones and enzymes of digestion follow the natural clock of the body. There are a variety of diets present out there and a bunch of diet company reviews to know about the one you want to adopt into your lifestyle.

Does eating at a certain time really matter?

Is the perspective shifting from “you are what you eat” to “you are when you eat”? Our bodies produce digestive enzymes with a specific routine and eating for long periods out of this routine can have far-reaching consequences. 

What is timed nutrition?

We have always heard that eating three meals a day is what our body needs to function normally. So what is timed nutrition? Timed nutrition monitors the macronutrient and micronutrient timing by their purposeful ingestion to achieve a certain result. This type of dieting is most beneficial for people involved in aerobic and anaerobic activities. 

Anabolic window and its significance

The research on timed nutrition was first done by Ivy and colleagues in the 1970s. They believed that ingesting carbohydrates immediately after exercise increased the uptake of glycogen by the muscles. Carbohydrates are the main source of energy during high intensity and endurance workouts. This window was initially believed to be only 15 minutes long. However, recent research has shown that it may be much longer than that. 

Now studies are being done to see the effects of proteins and some micronutrients in this anabolic window as well.

Recent studies have also started looking at meal patterns, distribution of protein, meal frequency and nighttime eating as part of nutrient timing.

Is nutrient timing and intermittent fasting the same?

Intermittent fasting is different from nutrient timing in the sense that it involves going hungry for a set period of hours. These are mostly 12 to 14 hours. This diet involves planning three daily meals outside of these fasting hours. 

Nutrient timing at Breakfast and Dinner

It has always been said that the best meal of the day is breakfast and that it is wise to eat calories and carbs earlier in the day and keep calorie intake low at night. But recent studies show that this may not be true. Some people believe that eating carbs at dinner time helps with body functions and sleep and that it is okay to skip breakfast. There is no hard and fast rule for when you should eat more. Your dietary habits should depend upon your fitness goals and preferences.

What do customers and consumers say about timed nutrition?

If you have just started your healthy diet journey, then there are more important things for you to focus on than nutrient timing. Make sure you have a properly balanced diet plan, you are exercising and most importantly you have mastered the art of consistency. Timed nutrition is mainly effective for people looking for high sports performance and elite athletes.