A Trick of Time? Weight Loss and Meal Scheduling

Posted: Oct 01 in Weight Loss Blog by

There is a lot of talk at the moment about a weight loss strategy that has actually been around for a long time. The idea is that instead of limiting what you eat, you focus on when you can and cannot eat. According to the science behind this weight loss method, by restricting how often you allow yourself to eat, you can restrict how much you ultimately eat throughout the day without having to say no to any foods that you love.

However, this dietary plan isn’t as simple as it may seem at first. There are several core issues with relying on the clock to dictate whether or not you are going to lose weight. For example:

  • Simply adjusting when you plan to eat during the day doesn’t do anything to reduce your hunger during your non-meal times.
  • Eating foods that are high in fat or sugar will not encourage a healthier lifestyle, nor sustainable weight loss.
  • Relying on the clock to dictate your meals can lead to environmental obstacles that may require you to break from your dietary plan, especially on weekends and special occasions.

Time for Hunger?

The biggest problem with the time-restriction weight loss program is hunger. Plain and simple, as much as you may tell yourself that it is not time to eat, your body may still want food. Dealing with hunger is hard to do, and abiding by your dietary plan when you are hungry takes a lot of will power. Training your body to not be hungry during those designated times may take time, and may even cause you to overeat at meals.

Managing hunger is actually why weight loss surgery is routinely one of the most successful weight loss tools on the market. By reducing stomach capacity, weight loss surgery actually reduces how much food you can fit into your stomach. This has several effects that impact how much you will eat, including how much food it takes to feel full, how hungry you become in between meals, and how much food you consume throughout the day.

If you are looking to make changes to your eating habits that could help you lose weight, then talk with your weight loss surgeon. Bariatric surgery is a much more reliable and sustainable option, and may be the right choice for you.

Comments are closed.