Jakarta –
Lunch is no less important than breakfast because it can supply energy until the evening. What time is the best time to have lunch?
The benefits of lunch are often underestimated because they are considered not as important as breakfast. In fact, lunch has very important benefits, especially regarding the menu and timing.
Lunch plays a big role in maintaining energy throughout the day. Eating a balanced nutritious lunch can also prevent overeating at night.
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So, when is actually the right time to eat lunch?
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Nutritionist Len Bakovic said that there are no standard rules for lunch time. The reason is, everything depends on the routine and needs of each individual.
“Ideally, lunch time should be adjusted to sleep patterns and daily habits,” explained Bakovic, reported by Real Simple.
For example, if you wake up at 7 am and have breakfast at 8 am, hunger will usually come about four to five hours later, namely between 12 and 1 pm.
Bakovic also reminded us to eat lunch at the right time. If you do it too early, the benefits you should get from lunch can be reduced.
For example, eating lunch too early or immediately after breakfast risks making you feel hungry in the afternoon. This often leads to snacking on unhealthy foods between lunch and dinner.
On the other hand, eating a late lunch close to dinner time can cause eating patterns to change. You may feel too full to eat dinner and are hungry before bed.
The habits above often make people consume unhealthy snacks, such as sweet or salty foods which can disrupt sleep. This pattern can even mess with your body’s circadian rhythm, or the biological system that regulates eating and sleeping times.
Apart from that, paying attention to the contents of the food consumed at lunch is also very important. Bakovic recommends a balanced diet, namely half the plate filled with vegetables, a quarter for lean protein such as chicken, fish, or nuts, and the remaining quarter with complex carbohydrates such as quinoa, brown rice, or sweet potatoes.
This proportion not only provides the body with the nutrients it needs, but also maintains stable energy and mental focus for the rest of the day.
Consistency in lunch times is important
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Is it necessary to eat lunch at the same time every day?
The answer is, yes. Consistent meal times, including lunch, help the body regulate hunger cues or fullness cues or feelings of fullness in line with your circadian rhythm.
“Just as a consistent sleep pattern helps the body feel in sync, consistent eating times are also important,” says Bakovic.
By eating lunch at the same time every day, the overall metabolic process can be maintained. It’s okay if you are a little late by half to two hours.
Ultimately, the best time to eat lunch really depends on your routine and your body’s signals. Try not to skip lunch and fill your plate with balanced nutritious food.
With the right timing and intake, lunch can be the key to maintaining productivity and energy throughout the day.
This article was published on CNN Indonesia with the title “Best time for lunch, is 12 o’clock correct?“
(adr/adr)
