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Different foods affect us in different ways – what and when we eat can influence how we think, feel, and even sleep.
With this in mind, we’ve put together a list of the best and worst foods to eat at different times throughout the day. We hope you find it useful.
Breakfast foods that’ll keep you fuller for longer
The best breakfasts are those that give us enough energy to face the day.
Generally, foods that contain a balance of protein, fat, and complex carbohydrates do this best. Unlike simple carbohydrates that provide short bursts of energy, complex ones keep us feeling fuller for longer and release energy more slowly.
Some good breakfast options include…
Porridge
Oats are complex carbohydrates containing plenty of fibre, protein, and fat to provide lasting energy. They’re also delicious and extremely versatile – for example, you can bake, microwave, and even chill them overnight.
You’ll find plenty of good ideas in our list of 8 ways to enjoy oats for breakfast.
Eggs
Eggs are one of the most nutritious foods on the planet. One egg contains approximately six grams of protein and five grams of healthy fats.
Research has also found that eggs can help to sustain energy levels and keep you satisfied for longer – potentially contributing to healthy weight loss. For example, this study found that people who eat eggs for breakfast are more likely to lose weight than those who eat bagels.
Plus, eggs can be enjoyed in so many different ways. Scrambled, hard-boiled, in an omelette…the list goes on.
Why not check out these 10 quick and easy egg recipes for inspiration?
Chia seeds
Chia seeds contain lots of fibre and are water-absorbent, so when they move through your digestive system, they expand. This means that adding even a small spoonful of chia seeds to your breakfast can make it more filling.
For more information, check out our article: 7 health benefits of chia seeds and different ways to use them.
Breakfast foods to avoid
To start the day right, it’s generally best to avoid foods that cause blood sugar spikes, as this can lead to a sudden drop in energy soon after.
This includes simple carbohydrates made from refined flour (like pancakes); refined cereals, pastries, and waffles; and foods that are low in protein and high in saturated fat, such as buttered toast.
Other breakfast foods to avoid include pre-made smoothies, low-fat yoghurts, and breakfast bars with lots of added sugar.
Lunch foods to beat the afternoon slump
Lunch is the time to refuel and boost energy levels. And research shows that focusing on lean protein and healthy fats is generally the best way to avoid an afternoon slump. This is because healthy fats and protein are filling and have minimal impact on blood sugar levels.
It’s also important not to consume too many or too few calories at lunchtime, as this has been noted as a common reason that many of us feel tired in the afternoons.
Below are some top lunch options to consider…
Protein-rich salads
Salads are refreshing, light, voluminous, and filling. Adding a topping of healthy fats like nuts, seeds, or avocado provides a healthy dose of omega-3 fatty acids, and proteins like chicken, fish, or lean beef offer an extra energy boost.
From Nicoise salad to sardine and tomato panzanella, check out these 10 flavour-packed salad recipes to get inspired.
Vegetable pasta
If you’re craving some carbs, consider swapping regular pasta for a vegetable version. These days, you can find pasta made from chickpeas, legumes, and even courgettes – all of which can offer a healthy dose of fibre and leave you feeling satisfied.
It’s generally best to stick to a sauce that’s rich in healthy fats, like this avocado one from Taste of Home, rather than pasta sauces with lots of added sugar.
Frittata
Similar to an omelette, a frittata is a baked egg dish with various fillings that can be served hot or cold.
Eggs are protein-rich, easy to digest, and provide sustained energy. Plus, frittatas are simple to customise using other energy-boosting foods.
For example, this vegetable and salmon frittata recipe from Tesco Real Food is packed with nutritious veg and omega-3 fatty acids.
Lunch foods to avoid
To see you through the afternoon, it’s generally best to avoid refined carbohydrates and high-sugar foods like pasta, pizza, pastries, bread, chips, rice, sugary pasta sauces, energy drinks, and condiments like BBQ sauce and ketchup.
Foods like these are rapidly digested, release energy quickly, and can leave you feeling sluggish and tired come mid-afternoon. If you’re craving a hit of carbs, simply swap white bread, pasta, or rice for whole-grain versions.
Afternoon snacks to keep energy levels up
It’s normal to feel a bit sleepy in the afternoon; research shows that the ‘sleep signals’ of our circadian rhythm peak at night and during the afternoon, around one to four pm.
Many snacks are high in refined carbohydrates and added sugars, but low in energy-boosting nutrients like fibre and protein. So it’s important to be mindful of what you’re snacking on and how it makes you feel.
Some good afternoon snack options include…
Bananas
Bananas are a fantastic, quick snack that’ll provide sustained energy. They’re a natural source of sugar and are rich in fibre (which helps slow the digestion of sugar and provides a steadier supply of energy). Bananas also contain generous amounts of vitamin B6, which our bodies use to create energy.
In this study, eating one banana before a long bicycle ride improved performance and endurance as much as a carbohydrate drink. So, a banana can help give you the energy you need to avoid an afternoon slump.
Hummus, veg sticks, and whole grain crackers
Made mostly from chickpeas, hummus is rich in soluble fibre, healthy fats, and protein. Plus, it has a low glycemic index, meaning the body digests and absorbs it slowly.
This study found that white bread releases four times more sugar into the bloodstream after a meal than hummus, despite containing the same amount of carbohydrates.
You can enjoy hummus with a side of carrots, peppers, cucumber sticks, or whole-grain crackers.
Green tea
Many of us rely on a caffeine boost to see us through the day. But next time you reach for a coffee, consider swapping it out for a mug of green tea instead.
As well as its caffeine content, green tea also contains the amino acid L-theanine. Research has found that caffeine and L-theanine together have a powerful synergising effect and can improve brain function. As a result, many people have reported feeling significantly more productive and energised when drinking green tea instead of coffee.
If you’re a fan of tea, you might enjoy our article on the health benefits of 9 different types of tea.
Afternoon snacks you might want to avoid
Anything high in sugar or refined carbohydrates (like chocolate, sweets, pastries, and white bread) is best to avoid as an afternoon snack. While these might provide a good short-term fix, sudden energy drops won’t be far behind.
It’s also worth considering snacks like granola bars. While made with healthy ingredients like honey, oats, and fruit, these products often contain lots of added sugar.
Dinner foods to help you relax before bed
At dinner time, most of us are looking forward to a hearty meal that’ll help us wind down after a busy day. And the good news is that some foods contain vitamins and nutrients proven to help you relax.
Below are some of the best dinner options to consider…
Fatty fish
Fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and tuna contain high amounts of omega-3s, which research has shown can increase the amount of serotonin produced by the nervous system and help us sleep better. However, some studies show that certain omega-3s may decrease energy, too.
For meal inspiration, check out these tasty fish recipes – you’ll find everything from fish tacos to ceviche.
Chickpeas
Studies continue to link sources of plant-based protein, like chickpeas, with health benefits. When it comes to winding down, chickpeas’ main draw is their vitamin B6 and amino acid tryptophan content.
Vitamin B6 helps the body convert tryptophan into serotonin, and then melatonin (the hormone responsible for regulating the body’s internal clock), which helps us relax and prepare for sleep. In fact, research suggests that consuming vitamin B6 from foods like chickpeas daily can encourage uninterrupted sleep.
Chickpeas are very versatile and can be added to most dishes. For example, this list of delicious chickpea recipes from BBC Good Food contains everything from fajitas to burgers.
Turkey
Research has found that people tend to feel sleepy after eating turkey. Experts have put this down to turkey’s tryptophan content – an amino acid that stimulates the production of melatonin.
Turkey’s protein content may also promote tiredness, as there’s evidence that consuming moderate amounts of protein before bed may improve sleep quality – including waking up less in the night.
Dinner foods to avoid
Some foods can leave us feeling uncomfortable in the evening.
For example, spicy foods are best avoided at dinner time – especially if you’re going to be lying down soon after eating because they can cause heartburn. Equally, greasy, fatty foods like burgers, sausages, and pizza are trickier to digest and can disrupt sleep.
It’s best to avoid alcohol, too, because it can trigger the release of cortisol (the stress hormone), increase anxiety, and impact sleep quality. Plus, research shows that drinking alcohol can make you hungrier.
Pre-bedtime snacks to improve sleep quality
Various strategies can help promote good sleep, like journaling and limiting screen time. However, what we eat before bed can also have an impact.
Below are some of our favourite pre-bedtime snack options…
Almonds
Research suggests that almonds may help boost sleep quality because they’re a good source of melatonin.
Plus, almonds are rich in magnesium (one ounce provides 19% of the daily requirement), which can improve sleep – especially for people with insomnia. Experts believe that magnesium’s role in improving sleep is related to its ability to reduce inflammation and cortisol levels, which are both known to disrupt sleep.
Chamomile tea
There’s evidence to suggest that drinking chamomile tea can reduce anxiety and depression – two conditions often linked with insomnia. Chamomile tea also contains the antioxidant apigenin, which can increase feelings of tiredness.
For example, in this study, adults who consumed 270g of chamomile extract for 28 days fell asleep 15 minutes faster and woke up less during the night compared to those who didn’t consume it.
Kiwis
Kiwis are low-calorie, highly nutritious fruits and, according to studies, may be one of the best foods to eat before bed.
In this four-week study, adults who ate kiwis an hour before bed each night fell asleep 42% more quickly than those who didn’t eat anything. What’s more, they were 5% more likely to sleep without waking and total sleep time increased by 13%.
These effects have been linked with kiwi’s serotonin content (known to regulate sleep) and the presence of vitamin C and carotenoids, which have strong anti-inflammatory properties.
For further ideas, check out our article: 10 foods and drinks to help you sleep better.
Pre-bedtime snacks to avoid
Anything containing high levels of caffeine – like chocolate, coffee, tea, and energy drinks – is best to avoid before bed. Research shows caffeine consumption can cause more rapid eye movement (REM) during sleep, which reduces deep sleep and can make us feel groggy in the morning.
Strong cheese and preserved meats like ham, pepperoni, and bacon are also worth avoiding as they contain high levels of the amino acid tyramine. Tyramine can increase alertness by stimulating the production of ‘fight or flight’ hormones.
Any foods containing high amounts of sugar or salt – such as ice cream, sweets, crisps, and salted nuts – can also disrupt sleep by causing dehydration and blood sugar spikes.
Final thoughts…
What we eat can affect us more than you might expect. Taking the time to consider what you’re eating at different times in the day could affect how you think, feel, perform, and even sleep.
For more healthy diet tips, head over to our diet and nutrition section. Here, you’ll find everything from vitamin and mineral guides to information on boosting your metabolism.
Do you avoid eating certain foods at particular times of day? We’re interested to hear from you in the comments below.
* Links with an * by them are affiliate links which help Rest Less stay free to use as they can result in a payment or benefit to us. You can read more on how we make money here.
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