CLEVELAND – As some say, in life, timing is everything.
Now, health experts say the same can be applied to your diet.
A new study claims the key to success weight loss is not about what you eat but about when you eat.
Researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital say that people who eat larger earlier in the day lose about 20 percent more weight than who eat a large dinner.
“I don’t know if I’d like eating bigger meals,” said David Roberts of Cleveland. “I would say you’d have to cut down on eating bigger meals. “
The 20-week study was conducted in Spain.
Dr. Ronald Magliola of Metrohealth Medical Center said while the study may be interesting, dieters shouldn’t change up their routines just yet. The study was with people who followed a diet vastly different than most Americans, he said. For example, he said if someone exercised late at night, they may want to have a later meal so they have energy to do so.
Magliola said for those who do want to drop a few pounds, he said the following have proven to work for long-term results:
– Eat a protein-rich breakfast (he suggests eating foods like eggs, cottage cheese or yogurt)
– Keeping a log of what you eat
– Cutting back on fats
– Cutting back on total calories
– Exercising.
“For a long time, we actually have been preaching to eat breakfast, and I still stand behind that,” Magliola said. “It’s probably a great idea to start the day off with enough fuel in your tank so to speak.”
Of all the tips, Magliola said the most successful key to a healthy lifestyle is keeping your body moving.
“The secret to long-term success is long-term exercise and not necessarily the timing of when someone eats or possibly as much of their food quality,” he said.