When we work 24/7, we tend to eat 24/7 which can lead us on a downward spiral of all sorts of health complaints over the long-term.
This is because our innate timing system, or circadian clock, is essentially switched to the ‘ON’ position for a very long time.
Have you ever considered what time you take your first bite of food in the day, and then your last bite of food at night?
For example, if you have sugar with your coffee at 4am and have a biscuit before bed at 8pm or later, your Eating Window would be 16 hours or longer.
This means your circadian clock is running for 16 or more hours.
This is a very long time for your digestive clock to be switched onto the ‘ON’ position. It’s a bit like leaving the car engine running on idle, when you get home from work!
We all have an internal circadian clock embedded deep in our brain (pineal gland) that regulates a wide variety of processes including our metabolism, cellular repair, fat storage and so much more.
In order for the body to function optimally, our circadian clock needs sufficient time switched to the ‘OFF’ position.
According to studies performed by Dr Satchin Panda from the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, research has shown that consuming calories under a 9-hour period, earlier in the day could dramatically improve your health without having to reduce or change your calorie intake.
So the secret is not consuming less calories.
The secret is eating within a 9-hour or less period, earlier in the day, rather than later in the evening.
For example, when you’re working “normal hours” or perhaps you’re on days off, this could look like 11am through to 7pm.
Or if you’re working a 0400-1200 shift, stretch your breakfast out to 8am and aim to have an early dinner around 5-6pm. I know this may not be practical for everyone, but even if you end up doing this a couple of times a week it will help to keep the body clock finely tuned … well as finely tuned as possible whilst working 24/7!
If you’d like to learn more about this topic, I dive deep into circadian fasting in the 21-Day Kickstart Program. Our next intake starts on the 21st March 😊.
Audra x
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