While we are aware that breakfast, lunch and dinner are important meals, we overlook the fact that an evening snack is equally important. Why is that? You’ve probably heard the saying, “Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper” – but how do you eat like a pauper if you’re feeling very hungry at dinner time? We should naturally feel less hungry at the dinner time and for that, we must have a small meal 2-4 hours before dinner. It is completely okay if you do not feel that hungry for dinner after having evening snacks. In fact, that is the main purpose of it – to cut down on the dinner portion size.
A common observation with our GOQii Players is that most have a long gap between lunch & dinner. It is as good as 7-8 hours. Having frequent meals is extremely crucial when it comes to maintaining weight. It has a series of health benefits. Yet, we somehow skip on evening snacks for some reason or another.
Reasons For Skipping Evening Snacks
- Lack of time
- Lack of Appetite
- Not habitual
- Unaware of its importance
- Running out of options
Out of these reasons, the 2nd point is the most valid. If you really do not feel hungry by evening time, you may skip it but if you don’t, then you must consider. It is better to keep a fixed time for it which can be 3-4 hours post lunch.
Why You Should Eat Evening Snacks
- Lowers the gap between Lunch & Dinner
- Helps sustain energy and hunger levels till dinner time
- Controls acidity, bloating and other digestive problems
- Helps maintain blood sugar levels
- Helps control portion size for both lunch and dinner
- Keeps BMR high
- Helps you mentally relax at the end of your work day
Apart from the reasons above, if you exercise in the evening, having a snack is a must as it works as your pre-workout meal. Exercising on an empty stomach will not give you the desired results.
For an evening snack, you can choose options similar to your breakfast. It can consist of Poha, Upma, Idli, Dosa, Uttapam, Vegetable or egg/ chicken sandwich, whole wheat roll, Sukha Bhel, or boiled sprouts, etc. If you aren’t that hungry, then try a mixture of fruits, dry fruits, nuts, roasted peanuts, corn cob, sprouts, or boiled eggs, etc.
If you aren’t consuming an evening snack, start now and let us know about the difference you feel in the comments below!
We hope this article helps you. For more articles like this, click here or speak to an expert by subscribing for GOQii’s Personalised Health Coaching.
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