If snacking isn’t recommended by nutritionists, is there a good time for that little extra?
Eating balanced and at a fixed time is part of the recommendations to stay in shape. However, it happens that a small craving can occur during the day. It can be due to a light meal and then helps to hold on until the next meal. But most of the time she leads to nibbling when there is no feeling of hunger.
Depending on individual preferences, this snack can be sweet or salty. It can occur at 4 p.m. for a snack with sweets or cupcakes. But it also arrives around 6-7pm with the aperitif. Crisps and sausage can also be considered snacks if taken outside of meals.
In any case, snacking is not a good eating habit. This one would lead to the development of abdominal fat and promote obesity in the youngest. However, an American study devoted to energy expenditure gives clues to the best time to give in to the temptation of indulgence.
More calories (and therefore small pleasures) eliminated at the end of the day
For this study, the researchers called on 7 volunteers. They observed for 37 days their eating habits but also the daily calories eliminated. Nevertheless, the volunteers were tested under specific conditions. Indeed, they had no clock, Internet access, telephone or even a window. He was therefore impossible for them to know what time it was.
In addition, they were assigned different sunrise and sunset times each day. The aim of the study was to determine the energy expenditure of each volunteer. The so-called periods of slow burning (ie where the body eliminates the least calories) occurs at night and upon waking. While the phase of fast burning occurs at the end of the day.
The study therefore suggests rather snack at the end of the day so that the calories are eliminated more easily. Conversely, it shows that it is not advisable to snack during the night, even if our rhythm is off.
Are there healthier alternatives to adopt while snacking?
Even if snacking has a little less impact on our body at the end of the day, it is not an element to add to our daily routine. The ideal is therefore to control the impulses linked to nibbling.
Some people drink a large glass of water to appease the feeling of hunger. While others are followers breathing exercises or meditation. However, snacking is not necessarily bad.
If you like to snack, replace cookies, crisps or chocolate bars with other products such as fresh fruit, cottage cheese, a square of dark chocolate or a few almonds.