Eating Clock

From better sleep to boosted metabolism, five benefits of following a meal schedule

- Stuti Gupta

Be it intermittent fasting or gorging on warrior meals, sticking to a sane and healthy eating schedule can add more benefits than worry. For people constantly on the run or those who don't possess the cooking talents, developing a healthy meal pattern and sticking to it can be quite challenging. However, when you feel yourselves reaching for that "Order" button, a reminder of all the long-term benefits that come in tow with a regular eating schedule can help you stay on track.

Here's a look at the physical, physiological and mental benefits of sticking to a schedule when it comes to body fuel:

In circadian-sync

"A consistent meal schedule helps us function in sync with our circadian rhythm (your internal clock) that governs metabolism, hormones, digestion, and even mental clarity," shares Nikita Tulsian, a nutrition and fitness coach based in Delhi. "Eating small meals within a 2 to 3 hour gap can prevent energy crashes, cravings, mood swings, and helps keep your blood glucose stable. It helps balance and sync hormones like insulin, ghrelin (hunger hormone), leptin (satiety hormone) better so that you become less likely to overeat or snack mindlessly."

Think of your digestive system as a machine. When your body knows when to prepare itself for churning and breaking down complex materials, the process becomes more efficient compared to unpredictable jolts of work.

Better sleep patterns