Having the right time between meals is very important for staying healthy and helping our bodies digest food properly. In today’s fast-paced world, we often choose convenience over nutrition, which can make us forget how important meal timing is. Knowing how long to wait between meals can greatly affect our health, energy levels, and even how we manage our weight.
Eating too often can cause stomach discomfort and prevent our bodies from absorbing nutrients well. On the other hand, waiting too long between meals can make us feel very hungry and lead to poor food choices. Explaining the time differences between meals, an expert shared how our body needs time to digest our previous meal before we eat again.
Recommended Time Gaps Between Meals
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Understanding the right time gaps between meals is crucial for maintaining good health and proper digestion. Dr Ashutosh Shukla, Managing Director, Indian Sages Ayurveda Pvt. Ltd, Delhi, explained that when the first meal is digested completely, then the next meal should be eaten. If you eat the previous meal again before it is digested, then it will increase the dosha.
According to the expert, a gap of 4 to 6 hours between meals is recommended. This allows your digestive fire (Agni) enough time to process the food and prepare for the next meal.
But if you eat the second meal after the first meal is digested, then it is like nectar for the body. He further emphasised that the body needs time to digest your previous meal before you eat again. This ensures proper digestion and keeps your doshas balanced. Eating too soon can disrupt this process, but eating after digestion is complete is like nectar for your body.
But how do we know that the first meal is digested? The expert shared, “There are some signs of proper digestion. For example, after the meal is digested, you will naturally feel hungry. There will be a clear burp and there will be no smell in it.”
What Are Natural Signs of Digestion?
Knowing the natural signs of digestion can help you understand when your body is ready for the next meal. Here are some easy ways to tell if your last meal has been digested, according to the expert.
- Feeling Hungry: When your body has digested the food, you will start to feel naturally hungry again. This is a good sign that your digestive system has processed the previous meal.
- Burping: A clear burp without any bad smell indicates that your stomach is working well. It shows that the gas produced during digestion is being released properly.
- Light and Energised: After digestion, you should feel light and full of energy. If you feel sluggish or heavy, it might mean that your food hasn’t been digested yet.
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Conclusion
The timing of meals plays a crucial role in overall health and well-being. The expert highlighted the importance and added that sipping warm water or herbal teas between meals supports digestion. He advised to keep dinner light and eat early, preferably before sunset, to align with your body’s natural rhythm. “Healthy digestion means better energy, mood, and overall health!” added Dr Ashutosh Shukla. Listening to the body's natural hunger cues and digestive signals further enhances this balance, promoting a healthier lifestyle overall.