Dawn til dusk

It’s not just what you eat, but when you do it. Here’s a nutritionist’s guide to the best foods to eat at what time

We all know we need to be eating a healthy, balanced diet, but knowing what to eat at certain points of the day can be confusing if you’re not in the know. The good news is that we asked nutritionist Cassandra Barns to guide us on what we should be eating, and when.

7–8am

Scrambled eggs on rye toast with rocket and cherry tomatoes

“Breakfast should always focus on protein. Protein helps to wake you up in the morning, as well as helping to balance your blood sugar for steady energy throughout the day. The eggs provide the protein, and this is combined with some slow-releasing carbohydrates in the rye bread,
and one to two servings of vegetables in the rocket and tomatoes.”

10–11am

2 teaspoons of almond or peanut butter on 2 oatcakes

To keep your energy levels balanced Cassandra advises: “If you’re peckish mid-morning, go for a snack that combines some more slow-releasing carbohydrates, like Nairn’s superseded wholegrain oatcakes with protein and/or healthy fats. The carbs are provided by the oatcakes and the protein and fats by the nut butter.”

1pm

Salmon salad with quinoa, avocado and green beans (or other mixed salad veg)

“A focus on protein is important at lunch, too. Keeping protein levels up and limiting carbs to a smallish serving will help keep your blood sugar levels steady and help prevent the afternoon ‘slump’. Salmon provides not only protein, but also vital healthy omega-3 fats for your brain.”

3–4pm

Matcha Green Tea with 1 or 2 chunks of raw dark chocolate

“Many of us feel like an afternoon pick me up, even if we’ve eaten healthy meals at breakfast and lunch. But coffee can keep you buzzing for hours and may affect your sleep” says Cassandra. “Try Clearspring’s Matcha Shots; you’ll get a much smaller dose of caffeine for a gentle lift, together with theanine – a natural substance found in green tea that can help you feel calmer and more focused. As an afternoon treat, you could have a couple of chunks of dark chocolate – as long as it’s at least 70% cocoa, to limit your sugar intake. Raw chocolate is a great option as you’ll get higher levels of antioxidants compared to standard chocolate.”

6.30pm

Chicken and veggie stir-fry with buckwheat soba noodles

“For your evening meal, you can put more focus on the carbohydrates by having a good serving of wholegrain noodles or wholegrain pasta. Opt for Clearspring’s Japanese Soba Buckwheat Noodles. Eating more slow-releasing carbs in the evening can help to calm the nervous system and aid sleep. Buckwheat noodles are ideal for this. Emphasise the veggies too, with just a small to moderate serving of chicken or other protein.”

9pm

A small bowl of oats

“If you tend to feel a bit hungry before you go to bed, or you have problems sleeping, then an extra small serving of slow-releasing carbohydrates an hour or so before bed can be helpful. Try a half bowl of porridge made with Nairn’s Scottish Porridge Oats. Oats may also have natural calming properties – in herbal medicine, they’re classed as ‘nervines’, meaning they can support the nervous system – ideal before bed.”