Latest news with #Huntriss
Fox News
06-04-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Here's how long you should wait between meals, say nutrition experts
If your day has gotten off track and you find yourself skipping breakfast, lunch or dinner, you've likely heard your stomach grumbling. Do you eat then or wait until your next proper meal? Fox News Digital spoke to nutritionists who shared key information about ideal meal timing. Dig right in … Most Americans consume two or three meals on a given day, while more than 90% of people consume two or three snacks per day, according to research about eating frequency, said Dawn Menning, a California-based registered dietitian with the Nutu app. "Meal timing can have a significant impact on overall health due to its influence on the body's circadian rhythm (24-hour cycle), which helps to regulate metabolism, energy levels, weight and even long-term health outcomes, such as the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease," Menning told Fox News Digital. A great deal of research has been done to determine how meal timing impacts our health — and if intermittent fasting or time-restricted eating has more of an impact on overall health and weight compared to calorie restriction, Menning said. Research suggests that spacing meals appropriately can support stable blood sugar levels, improve digestion and enhance overall metabolic function, said Ro Huntriss, a London-based registered dietitian and chief nutrition officer of the Simple app. Most individuals can wait four to six hours between meals to support health and weight management, Huntriss said. Some people prefer a shorter time between breakfast and lunch and a slightly longer gap between lunch and dinner, she told Fox News Digital. "Ultimately, it's important to take note of your hunger signals and when it feels appropriate for you to eat," she said. High-meal frequency (eating six or more times per day) has been linked to increased disease risk, likely due to constant fluctuations in blood sugar and insulin levels — while a longer fasting period between meals supports the body's natural processes, Huntriss said. The window between meals should be slightly shorter, says one expert. "By following a more structured meal pattern with appropriate fasting windows, you not only support better blood sugar regulation, you also foster metabolic flexibility and improved circadian health," she said. Yet Menning believes the window between meals should be slightly shorter. Eating every three to four hours, she said, is ideal for helping with blood sugar regulation, aiding digestion and maintaining energy levels. Research suggests that healthy individuals should aim for at least a 12-hour time span between dinner and breakfast the next morning, Menning said. Curbing late evening eating is likely a good move for your health as well. Eating at night "can negatively affect glucose metabolism and potentially increase the risk of metabolic disorders," Menning said. Other studies suggest that eating meals earlier and within a shorter time window has more of an effect on weight loss compared to eating meals later and in longer time windows, she said. Eating earlier in the day can improve glucose metabolism, lower inflammation and support processes like autophagy (cellular repair) and stress resistance, Huntriss said. "This aligns with findings that a regular meal pattern, which includes breakfast consumption and a reduced meal frequency, has positive physiological effects, such as improved gut microbiota modulation and reduced disease risk," she said.
Buzz Feed
13-03-2025
- Health
- Buzz Feed
Nutritionists And Dietitians Are Sharing The "Health Foods" That Actually Aren't As Healthy As We Think
Some 'healthy' foods may contain high amounts of hidden unhealthy fats, sugars and sodium that could lead to weight gain, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, Amar Shere, a cardiologist at Morristown Medical Center, part of Atlantic Health System, told HuffPost. 'It's essential to be aware of these potential culprits and make informed choices when it comes to food products marketed as 'healthy,'' he said. Here are some foods nutrition experts recommend limiting or avoiding. Granola bars Granola bars may be considered healthy snacks because of their association with whole grains, nuts and dried fruits, Shere said. But many contain high amounts of sugar, refined grains, hydrogenated oils, and artificial flavorings and colors. They're also sometimes high in calories while being low in protein and fiber, which keep you full for longer. Huntriss recommended comparing granola or cereal bar products, and choosing ones with the lowest sugar and highest fiber, and that list whole ingredients. Flavored yogurt Yogurt is often touted as a high-protein, low-calorie option. But the yogurt aisle contains an array of options. Barabasi said many flavored yogurts are loaded with sugar, artificial sweeteners and artificial flavorings. He suggested choosing unflavored yogurt as often as you can, or at least the lowest-sugar option. The American Heart Association recommends that men consume 36 grams (9 teaspoons) or less of added sugar, and women should have no more than 25 grams (6 teaspoons). However, research shows that organic yogurts can average 13 grams of sugar per cup. Deli meat Lean turkey or other deli meat is sometimes recommended as a healthy snack before or after a workout. But not all deli meats are created equal. Some can be high in sodium and low in protein, and contain nitrates and nitrites, which have been linked to cancer, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The World Health Organization lists processed meats as carcinogenic. 'This class of meat is one that I highly recommend limiting or eliminating in one's diet,' Shere said. It's better to choose freshly cooked, unprocessed meat or low-sodium cold cuts — or load up your sandwiches with tofu, avocado or nut butter. Anything containing powdered vegetables Powdered greens for smoothies, such as AG1 or Your Super Green Mix, may contain some nutrients, but Huntriss said they typically lack fiber. Most people don't consume enough fiber, which is found in whole produce, and is vital for gut and heart health. The same goes for veggie straws and other snacks made with other powdered vegetables, Nelson said. These snacks may also contain salt and added sugar. It's best to eat fresh (or frozen) fruits and vegetables. Coconut oil Coconut oil may be great for your hair and skin, Shere said. But it's not the best cooking oil, despite the popular belief that it's healthy. Coconut oil is high in saturated fat, which can raise cholesterol, causing plaque buildup in your arteries and increasing your risk for heart disease. Olive, canola and avocado oils are healthier choices, as they're made mostly from unsaturated fats. If you want to use coconut oil in your cooking, use it in moderation. Juices Store-bought fruit juice often contains added sugar and other additives, so it's always best to eat a whole piece of fruit, which contains fiber. A one-cup serving of orange juice can have about 8 grams of sugar, and apple juice can contain nearly 10 grams. It's recommended that men have no more than 9 grams of sugar a day, and women, 6 grams. Still, if you want to drink fruit juice, just compare products to choose the lowest-sugar option with the fewest ingredients. Also, be wary of juice cleanses or detoxes, Huntriss said. 'We have organs in the body that do this,' including your liver. Plant-based meat replacements Cutting back on meat can benefit your health, said Shere, who is vegan. But many plant-based meat replacements contain excess sugar, salt and fat, and some may even fall into the ultra-processed category, Nelson said. As previously reported by HuffPost, Beyond and Impossible burgers contain coconut oil, giving it comparable saturated fat levels to beef: Beyond has 6 grams, Impossible 8 grams and beef 7.6 grams. Instead, Shere suggested choosing avocado, beans, tempeh or tofu, which are highly nutritious plant-based proteins that are minimally processed. Organic snack foods Cookies, chips and other snacks labeled as 'organic' may give the impression that they're healthier than they are, Shere said. However, these items are often just as high in sugar, unhealthy fats and calories as non-organic versions. They also likely lack essential nutrients, like vitamins, minerals and fiber. Here's an example: Annie's Organic Cheddar Bunnies contains 140 calories per 51 crackers (30 grams), 260 milligrams of sodium, 6 grams of fat and 18 grams of carbs. On the other hand, Pepperidge Farm's Goldfish Original crackers have 140 calories per 55 crackers (30 grams), as well as 6 grams of fat, 230 milligrams of sodium and 20 grams of carbs.
