Diet by the Clock + Eat Right for Your Body Type

Diet by the Clock

date:20020521

Diet by the Clock

(and boost your metabolism!)

You have a 6:00 P.M. workout and it's 5:00 P.M. You're so hungry that even a New York City street vendor's choices look like gourmet food. What to eat? a) candy bar b) apple or c) protein shake? If you chose (a), then we have a lot of work ahead of us. Although (c) might not seem like a bad choice, (b) is definitely the more correct between the two.

At 7:00 P.M., however, after your workout, the protein shake would win out over the apple. You see, the best food choice changes depending on the circumstances and the time of day. The following 24-hour schedule of Sound Eating will help you better understand what to eat -- and when to eat it.

6:00 A.M. to 9:00 A.M.

Eat breakfast. It's a cliché, but it's true. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Don't skip it. Make your breakfast high in protein, as this will help get you through the morning hunger-free. Good choices include eggs, turkey sausage, and yogurt. If you're the type of person who needs some carbohydrate, try some fresh fruit or oatmeal (minus the sugar, raisins, and cream.)

10:30 A.M.

If you're starving, have a low-carbohydrate snack such as a little yogurt. If you're not hungry mid-morning, skip the snack.

Noon to 2:00 P.M.

Eat lunch. Make this a balanced meal that includes a protein source such as chicken or fish and a carbohydrate such as a salad. A little bit of healthy fat from nuts or olive oil is fine.

4:30 P.M.

Have some carbohydrates such as a side of steamed broccoli or spinach or an apple.

5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.

Eat dinner. Make your dinner a balanced meal with a protein and a carbohydrate with a little bit of fat. For example, have sesame-encrusted salmon with a side of asparagus.

9:00 P.M. to 6:00 A.M.

This is the RED ZONE. Eating during this time tends to be mood-related, not hunger-related. Try to get in control of what's driving you to the cupboard, fridge, or freezer. If you need to eat something, make it high in protein. When I'm craving food late at night, I have a teaspoon of all-natural peanut butter. It stops the cravings every time.

Eat Right for Your Body Type

(And burn more calories!)

Your eating choices should be slightly different depending on your body type.

Pick your type:

Apple

Pear

Round

Stick

Fit

If you're an apple, pear, or round type and are trying to lose weight, you should never eat in the RED ZONE. Try to make your food choices as pure as possible, especially the carbohydrate choices, and try not to snack during the morning.

If you're a stick trying to gain weight, protein shakes are a must. You need to eat a lot of food, probably more than you feel comfortable eating. Three square meals are a must, as well as two or three snacks. Have a protein shake after your workout, and another just before bedtime. You're the only body type that's allowed to eat in the RED ZONE. Take an amino acid supplement as well as some Korean ginseng to boost your appetite.

If you're the fit type, you'll find that you'll see more definition if you cut out starchy carbs and slightly increase your protein intake.

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