MEAL TIMING
When should I eat? Is there a “right” time? Does it matter? Optimization Tips? Tips for special digestive needs?
The way all the “sporty & exercisey people” talk about it, you’d think meal timing, which is also called nutrient timing, was a make it or break it variable when it comes to body goals.
Is it really important when it comes to health, fat loss, muscle building, or performance? Yes & no in the grand scheme of things in my opinion.
Ima lay this out as simple as possible y’all. This a question received on the reg from people of all diet camps! Meal timing or nutrient timing simply means eating specific food & thus nutrients (ex: protein, fat, carbs, etc) at specific times (ex: pre or post workout, OMAD vs 2 or 3 meals/d, etc).
**Reminder: All of this info along with basically everything I’ve learned along my weight loss, health, & carnivore journey is available in the 354 page Meat & Macros Guide HERE
You can always message me on IG or email at katieokelly2@gmail.com for more info & questions! Coaching FAQ’S HERE
It really comes down to the individual & their specific goal (or lack of). I’m not gonna get into all the complex science stuff & research around this topic, we’d be here forever, but I do want you to have a basic understanding on how specific meal timing can help you, when you really need to consider it, & when you don’t need to stress about it. I share my experiences & tips especially for those of you who have struggled with special digestive needs like autoimmune, IBS, IBD, & Crohn’s like myself.
As always, you do you, boo. This is a non-dogmatic safe space, these are generalities, & personal experience.
In general, by eating a healthy, well-considered meal 1-2 hours before exercise, & another healthy, well-considered meal within 1-2 hours after exercise, most people can meet their workout nutrition needs without anything fancy stuff.
In other words: if you’re a healthy person who exercises regularly, you probably don’t need special workout nutrition strategies. Most of us fall into this category.
SIDE NOTE…special timing considerations: You work out early af in the morning. You can do these fasted if you prefer & eat a well sized meal with plenty of protein after. If you’re hungry in the am, liquids (shakes) & easy to digest, low volume carbs (like cereal or rice cakes) if you eat carbs are more appropriate. I find people who follow a meat-based diet & workout early in the mornings prefer to fast & then eat their largest meal post workout.
Lets talk macros (your Carbs, Protein, & Fat)…
CARBOHYDRATES
There are few things in the fitness world more controversial than carbs. Will they make you fat? Do you need them? Timing? The questions are endless. Quality fuel is critical, which we get from carbs & fats. They are our energy sources, not protein. You pick which one you prefer.
Carbs in general are your body’s preferred fuel source when it comes to highly glycolytic (means it burns a sh*t ton of carbs) activities like HIIT, the “crossfits,” & Orange Theory-esque type workouts.
Optimal timing & portions are more important. You want every gram of carb you consume to be utilized as an immediate fuel source or to restore glycogen levels – you don’t want it to be stored as fat. I find them consumed around your workouts most optimal. Just remember the more active one is, the more carbs they can typically warrant consuming.
PROTEIN
Protein is essential for tissue growth & repair. Since the body is continuously breaking down proteins, our diet must provide sufficient quantities. Although recommended intakes vary & depend on so many different things like dieting/health history, activity, training modality, goals, digestion, allergies, etc, a post-workout protein is almost always universally helpful to kickstart muscle repair, recovery, & growth.
Shakes are convenient around workouts for high digestibility & absorption, but not necessary if you time your meals accordingly to your needs & preferences. I prefer real, whole foods for my nutrition vs supplements. To cover your bases most people do well consuming meals around 30-50g of protein per meal to meet optimal amino acid needs. Timing will differ based upon diet preference, workout timing, workout modality, & specific goals.
FAT
The body uses fat as a fuel source, & fat is the major storage form of energy in the body. Fat also has many other important functions in the body, & is needed in the diet for optimal health. Fats (cholesterol) are also the precursors to our hormones.
Fats in food come in several forms, including saturated, monounsaturated, & polyunsaturated. Quantity & quality are important. Fats do help to slow digestion, which maintains stable blood glucose & insulin levels. Fats also provide vitamins & minerals, aid in absorption & are important in everyone’s diet.
Some examples of foods that contain fats are butter, oils, nuts & seeds, meat, fish, & dairy products. Again, people will have different preferences as to whether they get their energy from carbs or fats. Most meat-based people prefer fats as fuel or they only consume a strategic amount of carbs around workouts only.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATION TIPS
Athletes may have special needs, for example…
An endurance athlete: You train for high level competition. You log a lot of high intensity miles each week. For you, carbohydrate & calorie needs are likely higher unless you do not digest them well & prefer fat as fuel. You could add a protein + carbohydrate drink or shake during your long training.
A bodybuilder: You lift weights with muscle growth as your goal. Your protein & calorie needs are likely higher especially in a building phase.
Getting ready for a fitness competition: You likely accumulate more exercise hours. Goal is to drop to a low body fat %. For you, carb intake (if you eat carbs) will likely be lower & protein higher especially as calories drop to maintain as much lean muscle mass as possible. Keto athletes will manipulate protein & fat macros to their preferences & needs.
Tips for those with special digestive needs like allergies, autoimmune, IBS, IBD, & meat based: This is simply to help you optimize from my experience as an athlete & someone who lives with Crohn’s & special needs
If you’re going to eat carbs, keep them around your workouts for more optimal utilization aesthetically & metabolically. Largest meals I prefer post workout & earlier in the day. Digestion is better in the mornings.
I did best with minimal digestive issues with easy to digest, gluten free, low volume carbs like rice cakes, gf oats, white rice, rice chex cereal if I was going to eat carbs. I don’t need them much anymore since going meat-based. Ground meat & seafood is easier to digest vs steak, ribs, & chewy cuts of meat.
If you workout early af in the am & you’re not training for a performance sport, I find fasted workouts more optimal as far as aesthetics & digestion. Protein shakes are great if you’re hungry early, training long periods, or don’t have time to eat a meal within an hour or so after your workout. Stop fasting until like noon before you eat after an early workout. “Tone” aka MUSCLE takes FOOD. You gotta build the body first!
People reverse dieting do better with 3 meals/day vs 1-2, especially if meat-based. It’s harder on your digestive system to cram more calories in larger, less frequent meals.
You MUST set yourself up for a successful cut by eating at maintenance or surplus for an extended period of time (like 6 months to a year realistically) BEFORE dieting for optimal, quicker results.
A HEALTHY body loses body fat. You shouldn’t be dieting more than 1-2x/yr for no longer than 12-16wks. Most maintenance levels for active females are around 1800-2100+ calories/d. (I eat 2000/d & am 5’1, 105lbs for example)
When dieting, I find larger, less frequent meals more satiating utilizing intermittent fasting. Fat cycling leaner, lower fat days with higher fat days is extremely effective & easier to sustain on a diet. Try 4 lean days/wk & adjust as you go for your needs. Higher fat days you should be consuming around maintenance calories. Leaner individuals don’t need as many lean days or need to do the Protein Sparing Modified Fasting (PSMF)
Don’t eat a high fat, heavy meal too close to working out. Digestion takes a lot of energy & you will be tired & sluggish. Eat 2+ hrs prior.
Stay hydrated! 1/2 your body weight in oz, more if you sweat a lot & workout frequently. I use Ultima Replenisher electrolytes. If you’re low carb, you require more electrolytes. If you’re having muscle cramps & sh*tty recovery, up your electrolytes. All my product/supp info/discount codes in LINK IN IG BIO!
If you’re having trouble sleeping, peeing a lot, hungry all the time, & tired, check your macros. You may need to decrease protein & up your fat. This is why I suggest at least loosely tracking your food! I find 170-200g of protein on the top end for females. 140g protein is an avg for most active females lifting weights. Most people who are hungry all the time need more fat & calories.
Carnivore Maintenance Macros: start with a 1:1 ratio of protein:fat as a baseline then tweak as needed. Use the TDEEcalculator.net to find your calorie needs 1st. I can help you with these & is something we discuss in your tailored plan on consult calls.
If you’re losing hair, tired all the time, gut messed up, hormones wonky, craving carbs/salt, waking up at night starving, sh*tty sleep & recovery, plateaus in the gym or fat loss – you’re most likely NOT EATING ENOUGH, not sleeping enough, fasting too much, over caffeinating, & stressed to the titties…y’all just chillllll & STOP.
I categorize my meals into PRE WORKOUT, POST WORKOUT, & ANYTIME MEALS.
PRE WORKOUT
I find I don’t need a pre workout meal or snack the majority of the time, especially if you’re working out:
1.) Super early in the morning like 5 or 6am
or
2.) Afternoon or evening when you’re in the fed state (you’ve eaten)
Most of my fellow early birds & I prefer to workout fasted if we’re hitting up the 5 or 6am gym time. If you struggle working out fasted & don’t feel you have the energy to do this, this is when a small easily digestible snack or a protein shake are helpful. You can also choose to consume a snack or smaller meal prior to bedtime if you’re hungry. Carbs at bedtime will help decrease your cortisol level & help you sleep. So if they don’t cause issues for you mentally or physically, there’s no need to feel like you have to cut them out of your diet.
My more gut friendly, easy to digest options as far as carbs & pre workout or pre bedtime fuel (everyone will be different so go your own way, these are just suggestions not an exhaustive list):
Gluten Free Rice Cakes
Nuethix Formulations MediPure or Iso-perfect Protein Powder
Gluten Free Rice Chex
Honey
White Rice
Gluten Free Quick Oats (If you’re not grain, lectin or fiber sensitive)
Sweet Potato (If you’re not lectin or fiber sensitive)
Here’s a blog on adding carbs back in your diet and what you should know
My carnivore & meat based folk, our meals are typically heavy & make our digestive systems work really hard to digest, which zaps our energy for digestion processes, so I don’t recommend eating a larger, heavier meat based &/or high fat based meal too close to workout time. I personally need at least 3-4 hrs after a heavier meal to feel like I even want to workout.
POST WORKOUT
This is one I feel people stress way too much about. If you’re eating a sufficient sized meal sometime close to after you workout, you’re gonna be fine! Make sure you’re getting adequate protein for muscle building & recovery. This is also when I prefer to time my carbs if I choose to consume some or I feel I need carbs for optimal recovery.
Times I choose to consume my carbs (My choice is typically 2-5 plain rice cakes, just depends on hunger level & workout volume & intensity):
In the evening after a harder, more intense, or higher volume workout like Crossfit or HIIT
Post workout at anytime of the day my workout is a harder, more intense, or a higher volume workout like Crossfit or HIIT & I feel I need them. This is totally intuitive for me.
I find I personally don’t need or crave carbs the majority of the time, & if I’m hitting up my typical 5am or earlier morning workout I never eat carbs, I stick to meat & eggs.
ANYTIME MEALS, GENERAL MEAL TIMING, BLOOD SUGAR, & FASTING
If you’re one that is not a gym or exercise goer &/or you stick to a low carb, keto, carnivore, or meat based way of eating (WOE), meal timing becomes less important, but I didn’t day not important.
Blood sugar regulation, optimal health, having a good relationship with food (mentally, physically, & emotionally), & eating to have stable energy should always be priorities.
Things I’ve used to check my blood glucose:
Keto Mojo: checks both ketones & blood glucose. Has app, blue tooth, syncs with phone, got mine off Amazon. On Amazon favorites list, link in bio & highlights.
Nutrisense Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM): my top pick. Painless application, has app, syncs with phone, no pricking your finger, continuous monitoring, access to their nutritionists. Link In IG bio, Discount Code: lilbitoffitCGM10
Helpful Times to Check Blood Sugar
Fasted 1st thing when you wake before any food or drink: to gain data & a biomarker of metabolic & hormonal health. This is when I weigh myself too.
2 hours after eating combo meals: to see how they interact with one another & affect your digestion & blood glucose. Quality & quantity matter. Ex: combos like carbs + protein +fat, high protein + low fat, high fat + lower protein, carbs + protein, carbs +fat, etc.
After eating singular foods: to see what spikes your blood sugar more than the other. Ex: like testing after eating carbs, diet pop, chewing gum, using sweetener, eating dairy, after a larger high protein meal, after a bolus of fat, etc.
After periods of stress: to see how your body handles stress. Ex: after a hard workout, a poor nights sleep, after a stressful life experience, etc.
BLOOD SUGAR FAQ’s
What can I use to track? I’ve used a keto mojo & my top pick is a NutriSense CGM. You can get a simple glucometer from your local drugstore too. Link in IG bio to CGM info, code: lilbitoffitCGM10
What range should my blood sugar be for optimal body fat loss? I like MINE in that 70-90/dL range fasting. Normal fasting ranges will vary but for most are in the 70-100 range. Mine tends to run higher, around 85-100 while others may be lower around 65-80. Lifestyle, genetics, & environmental factors all matter & can affect ranges.
How long should I wait after meals to check my glucose? I recommend checking prior to your meal then 1-2 hours after eating for your “peak” levels.
What diet works best for food/sugar addiction? Low carb & meat-based hands down in my opinion.
What are normal blood sugar levels?
They’re less than 100 mg/dL after not eating (fasting) for at least 8 hours. And they’re less than 140 mg/dL 2 hours after eating. During the day, levels tend to be at their lowest just before meals. For most people without diabetes, blood sugar levels before meals hover around 70 to 80 mg/dL. For some people, 60 is normal; for others, 90. Again, we’re all different.
Why does it matter if my blood sugar is high, like around 120-200ish sometimes?
It is very important to keep your blood sugar level under control. It affects everything really, mood, fat loss, weight gain, hunger, satiety, energy, performance, sleep, etc. When your blood sugar level is high, it can cause damage in your veins & arteries. This damage could lead to complications later such as heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease, neuropathies, vision problems, etc.
What foods spike my sugar most? What food has carbohydrates? Carbs typically spike blood sugar the most, then protein, then fat. Fruits, starchy veggies, milk, dairy, yogurt, rice, cereals, bread, grains, basically think anything sweet all have carbs. High glycemic foods affect glucose the most, ex: bread, cereal, candy, baked goods, fruit, honey, rice, crackers, cookies, rice cakes, sugar, pancakes, waffles, potatoes, corn, most processed foods.
If it is sugar free, I can eat as much as I want, right? SF foods can be part of your diet in moderation. Abstainers typically do better abstaining from any carbs, sugar, or SF substitutes. Many cause gut issues like bloating, constipation, & pain due to added fibers, fillers, gums, sugar alcohols & artificial sweeteners. Some of these foods still have carbs (in the form of other sweeteners such as sorbitol, isomalt, & mannitol) & may affect your glucose levels.
Things that may be increasing your blood sugar you’re overlooking:
Coffee: Increases adrenaline, cortisol (stress hormones) & blood sugar which can cause a release from our liver glycogen even when fasting. This was one thing I tested, luckily black coffee only affected my blood sugar like 2-5 points.
Fasting too long: Again, increases body stress which increases your cortisol level which will cause liver glycogen to be released & your blood sugar to rise. Are you waking up in the middle of the night? Is your fasting AM blood sugar high (>95)? Try eating more, shorten fasting windows
Dehydration: Less blood volume=higher concentrations of glucose in the blood. Shoot for 1/2 your body weight in Oz of water daily.
Over exercising, under eating, &/or eating trigger foods: All huge stressors on the body which increase cortisol & thus blood glucose. That gut brain connection is so impactful on our body function as a whole.
Carbs: No they’re not the devil. Typically it’s our relationships with them & our habits that are. Carbs do keep us calm by serotonin & cortisol. Our tolerances vary bioindividually. Typically in a healthy individual the more active the more carbs we require & tolerate. Carbs do spike your insulin higher than protein or fats. Carbs obviously spiked my blood sugar higher than any other food even experimenting consuming 2lbs of a high-protein meal. 3 rice cakes spiked my insulin to 160. The 2lbs of beef #meatbars spiked my insulin to 130.
Artificial sweeteners & sweet beverages: If it tastes sweet typically it will cause a reaction in your body & spike your blood sugar to some degree. I’m all about moderation but don’t have the majority of your diet full of diet foods & Splenda just to save a few calories & carbs. They lack in micronutrients which your body needs to function properly. In my experience with the CGM, they did elevate my blood glucose slightly but not very much, maybe 5 to 10 points max.
Alcohol: I’m just leaving this one there, y’all this is common sense. The higher the calorie, the higher the sugar, the higher the carbs the more it is going to spike your blood glucose. The “worst” options are beer, wine, sugary cocktails like White Russians, margaritas, Mojito‘s, Long Island iced teas, etc. I know it’s heartbreaking right ?! Vodka actually dropped my blood glucose when mixed in Diet Coke. Weird but it happens every time & I notice I get cold when this happens. This was not consuming any food with my drink.
Sleep: Not only does this disrupt your satiety & hunger hormones like a leptin & Ghrelin which can cause you to crave carbs & feel like a bottomless pit, it also spikes your blood sugar, & your performance, fitness goals & recovery suffer. I found lack of sleep, & high intensity workouts especially fasting were the biggest culprits that spiked my blood sugar & made me feel like trash.
Tips that helped me with more stable blood sugar & energy:
– Stick to meat & eggs & routine meal times. No snacking.
– If you’re gonna eat carbs &/or a large meal, eat them post workout.
– Pairing carbs with a fat &/or protein source will blunt the blood sugar & insulin spike.
– Reduce stressors like over exercising, chronic under eating & dieting, eating too many carbs &/or trigger foods, over caffeinating, not getting sleep, life stress, take more rest days.
– Have coffee or your caffeinated beverage AFTER you’ve eaten if you’re caffeine sensitive. The food will buffer it’s effects.
Personal preference always comes into play with meal timing in general. You can choose any number of meals you want. I find most people IN GENERAL considering all diet camps find it easiest to stick to 3 meals per day, minimal or no snacking.
My meat based people & low carbers, most of us choose anywhere from 1-3 meals per day, average being 2 meals per day & around 2lbs of meat for most. Some more sedentary people or people who prefer large meals may like one meal a day (OMAD). Pick what suits your preferences & needs. **A reminder it should align with optimal health, your goals, your schedule, & be easy for you to stick to.
Meal timing tips from my experience to help you decide what is “right” for you:
– I find digestion is better & it’s easier to maintain a “leaner” physique keeping your largest meal post workout & larger meals earlier in the day
– If you’re gonna eat carbs or feel like you have to have a “cheat” meal or “treat” (which I LOATHE saying btw because food should not be something earned or burned) I find digestion & nutrient utilization more efficient post workout
– If you’re reverse dieting, eating for performance, or muscle building, it’s easier to eat 3 meals per day vs trying to cram all your calories in 1 or 2 meals per day
-OMAD & fasting on occasion are totally fine & beneficial, just make sure you’re using them out of a place of love, using them with respect & not abusing them in excess.
-Fasting & OMAD work great on days you’re not as active, not as hungry, in a fat loss phase, in a “reset” whatever that means to you, or working on improving your gut healing & digestion.
-I feel everyone should be fasting at least 12 hrs overnight. No need to feel like you need to do extended fasting. If you’re fasting 12-16 hrs overnight, that’s FINE. You don’t need to fast at all if you don’t want to.
Typical Fasting Protocols
16/8, 14/10, 12/12 Protocols – Ex: Fast 16hrs/8hr eating window
OMAD – One meal a day, fast the rest
PSMF – Protein Sparing Modified Fasts: highly restrictive diet that involves severely limiting the intake of calories, carbs, & fat & consuming only lean (zero-low fat) protein
5:2 – Eat normal 5 days, restrict calories to 500-600 for 2 days
Eat Stop Eat – Eat normal for 5 days then fast for 24hrs for 2 days
4:3 or Alternate Day Fasting – Fast every other day, eat normal on non-fasting days
Skip Meals Spontaneously – skip meals when you’re not hungry
People who shouldn’t really be fasting:
Pregnant Women
Women who are nursing
People who are reverse dieting
People training for performance
People who have abused or overly fasted
People who have chronically under eaten for an extended period of time (aka you’ve made chasing a smaller body your hobby)
People who are trying to gain muscle
Women a week before their cycle
People healing &/or struggling with adrenal insufficiency & fatigue
People with eating disorders &/or disordered eating habits, poor relationships with food, exercise, &/or body image where restriction is a huge trigger
In conclusion, no matter what diet you follow, you should know that nutrition has a significant impact in every facet of your life, it is literally what you are made of. It can especially have a significant impact on your results in the gym. What you eat before, during, & after your workouts may be the difference between achieving your goals & falling short.
Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to the “right” way to eat, workout, or live. You choose what works best for you. 🙂
I hope you found this information helpful! Don’t hesitate to reach out via Instagram or email ( katieokelly2@gmail.com )
PDF Version of this Post Here for my fam that loves to print things out <3
Love y’all!
Oxox Coach K