Meal timing in general is a polarizing topic within the fitness realm, and particularly within bodybuilding circles. There are those who think it's completely pointless and makes zero difference, and those who feel there is some validity and benefit. Read the following small excerpt and discuss:
The Best/Worst Times to Eat Fruit
Written by Amanda Ennett
I love, love, love a bounty of beautiful fresh fruits. They are Mother Nature’s ultimate multivitamin and a powerhouse of antioxidants and enzymes, but did you know that there are optimum strategies and times to eat fruit?
Digestion and Nutrient Uptake
Food combining practices state that fruit should be eaten alone or with other fruit on an empty stomach to allow for optimum digestion. The digestion of fruit uses specific enzymes and is a very quick process but the simple sugars contained in fruit need time to be completely absorbed by your body.
When fruit is combined with other foods it will often sit in the gut and ferment causing indigestion, heartburn, burping and other digestive discomforts. To avoid this, eat fruits alone so the stomach can more easily process all of the nutrients, fiber and the simple sugars contained in them.
Exceptions
A tiny amount of healthy fats consumed with fruit will facilitate fat-soluble vitamin uptake.
Ideally, it is best to consume fruit alone. However, using a small amount of fruit as a sweetener for a green smoothie or juice should not create problems.
Best Times
Other than food combining practices, there are optimal times to eat fruit to maximize its energy potential. Fruit is a carbohydrate which means that it is converted to simple sugars for immediate energy. Essentially, when these sugars are not used they are converted and stored as fat. To fully utilize this energy, eat fruit around these times:
Breakfast
When you are breaking your night’s “starvation” cycle and the stomach is fully empty. This is especially important because your body will be able to fully absorb all of the vitamins, fiber and healthy carbohydrates that it needs to function in good health.
Pre-/Post- Workout
Another fantastic time to eat fruit is either right before, right after, or both pre- and post- working out. Our bodies will use fruit sugars for immediate energy and for refilling depleted energy stores.
Worst Times
Like previously stated, when energy from fruits is not used, it leads to weight gain. For people striving for weight loss it may be best to avoid this possible side effect by not eating fruit during these sedentary times:
Before Bed
Obviously you will not need quick energy while you are sleeping. Some people find that they have restless sleep if they eat fruits and carbohydrates too close to bed. A good rule of thumb is not less than 3 hours prior to lights-out.
During Weight Loss Plateaus
If you are really struggling overcoming weight loss issues it may be a good strategy to employ a “no fruit after lunch” rule. This might just give your body the edge and caloric deficit it needs to utilize fat stores as energy. With this being said, look for other weight loss inhibitors within your diet and don’t necessarily blame fruit right away.
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