Secret to get rid of your rigid, belly paunch: Check breakfast and dinner timings

Altering mealtimes can curb your appetite, thereby inducing weight loss.

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Reduction in body fat lessens our chances of developing obesity and related diseases
LONDON: Modest changes to breakfast and dinner timings can reduce body fat, lowering the risk of developing obesity and related diseases, according to a study.

During a 10-week study on 'time-restricted feeding', researchers from the University of Surrey in the UK investigated the impact of changing meal times on dietary intake, body composition and blood risk markers for diabetes and heart disease.

Participants were split into two groups - those who were required to delay their breakfast by 90 minutes and have their dinner 90 minutes earlier, and those who ate meals as they would normally (the controls).


The study, published in the Journal of Nutritional Sciences, found that those who changed their mealtimes lost on average more than twice as much body fat as those in the control group, who ate their meals as normal.

Serve The Best Meal At Your Luxe Destination Wedding
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If there's one thing that leaves a lasting impression on the minds of weddings guests, it's the food served. However, not everybody gets it right. Delhi-based chef and Indus Culinary director Marut Sikka says usually that's the case at destination weddings. So, if you're set to tie the knot at a luxury destination, Sikka lists out some pointers for the menu:
If there's one thing that leaves a lasting impression on the minds of weddings guests, it's the food served. However, not everybody gets it right. Delhi-based chef and Indus Culinary director Marut S..
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One of the first thing Sikka cautions is to avoid glassware at beach weddings as people tend to drop them or accidentally fall, thereby making the beach dangerous for guests to walk on. "I would suggest using disposable wares and cutlery like bamboo, degradable paper and some plastics." Going by the chill vibe of the beach, Sikka suggests serving cold foods and street food from across the world like pizzas, frittata, burgers, hotdogs, kebabs and chaat, rather than a formal sit-down dinner.
One of the first thing Sikka cautions is to avoid glassware at beach weddings as people tend to drop them or accidentally fall, thereby making the beach dangerous for guests to walk on. "I would sugg..
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The open space gives you a chance to keep things interactive — think open-air counters like barbeques, tandoors, grills and stir fries. "I would make everything off the fi re and on to the plate. Everything should lend to drama and an interactive feel," says Sikka. A formal, sitdown meal with beautiful table settings would be ideal here.
The open space gives you a chance to keep things interactive — think open-air counters like barbeques, tandoors, grills and stir fries. "I would make everything off the fi re and on to the plate. Eve..
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If it's a day cruise, Sikka suggests going qualitative over quantitative as space is a constraint. "It's important to have a variety of food inserted in time slots, if you can't lay it out in one spread," he says.
If it's a day cruise, Sikka suggests going qualitative over quantitative as space is a constraint. "It's important to have a variety of food inserted in time slots, if you can't lay it out in one spr..
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In foreign or exotic locations, attention should be given to local ingredients. "I would suggest planning a menu that is structured around local produce as much as you can." he says.
In foreign or exotic locations, attention should be given to local ingredients. "I would suggest planning a menu that is structured around local produce as much as you can." he says.
Considering the environment there is very sensitive, Sikka recommends simple, clean food that doesn't create a mess. "Opt for a sit-down dinner which creates minimal fuss and mess. Pastas, fondue and Japanese food would lend very well. If you want a buffet, the food can't be very oily and you can't have live counters as the smoke may damage the delicate interiors."
Considering the environment there is very sensitive, Sikka recommends simple, clean food that doesn't create a mess. "Opt for a sit-down dinner which creates minimal fuss and mess. Pastas, fondue and..
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The study provides "invaluable insight into how slight alterations to our meal times can have benefits to our bodies," said Jonathan Johnston from the University of Surrey.

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"Reduction in body fat lessens our chances of developing obesity and related diseases, so is vital in improving our overall health," Johnston said.

Also read: How to beat diabetes?

If these pilot data can be repeated in larger studies, there is potential for time-restricted feeding to have broad health benefits, researchers said.

Although there were no restrictions on what participants could eat, researchers found that those who changed their mealtimes ate less food overall than the control group.
This result was supported by questionnaire responses which found that 57 per cent of participants noted a reduction in food intake either due to reduced appetite, decreased eating opportunities or a cutback in snacking.
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It is currently uncertain whether the longer fasting period undertaken by this group was also a contributing factor to this reduction in body fat, researchers said.

They also examined if fasting diets are compatible with everyday life and long term commitment.
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When questioned, 57 per cent of participants felt they could not have maintained the new meal times beyond the prescribed 10 weeks because of their incompatibility with family and social life, researchers said.

However, 43 per cent of participants would consider continuing if eating times were more flexible, they said.
Do you Often Feel Tired? Include These Foods In Your Diet To Stay High On Energy
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Low immunity and dipping energy taking a toll on your health?

We often tend to become less active due to the changes in weather. Following a hectic schedule, we are often deprived of 'me-time', as a result of which we resort to an unhealthy diet.

Good nutrition, plenty of water, and an active lifestyle are a few habits you must adopt this season, along with the following tips:
Low immunity and dipping energy taking a toll on your health? We often tend to become less active due to the changes in weather. Following a hectic schedule, we are often deprived of 'me-time', as a..
Read More
Keeping your tummy full and nourished is very important. Start your mornings with muesli to be high on energy all day long!

Muesli is a healthy mix of rolled oats, wheat flakes and corn flakes in different flavours. It is rich in dietary fibre, protein, iron, and anti-oxidants.
Keeping your tummy full and nourished is very important. Start your mornings with muesli to be high on energy all day long! Muesli is a healthy mix of rolled oats, wheat flakes and corn flakes in di..
Read More
Say no to sweet, carbonated drinks, and rather opt for a warm cup of green tea. Packed with powerful anti-oxidants and nutrients, green tea helps regulate blood sugar, improve brain function, and enhance metabolism.

This superdrink also helps in increasing the detoxification process in the body and aids weight loss.

Add a dash of honey, squeeze a lemon in your cup of green tea and make your day a tangy and zesty affair!
Say no to sweet, carbonated drinks, and rather opt for a warm cup of green tea. Packed with powerful anti-oxidants and nutrients, green tea helps regulate blood sugar, improve brain function, and enh..
Read More
This blend of sugar, trace enzymes, minerals, vitamins, and amino acids is quite unlike any other sweetener on the planet. Honey is a great substitute for sugar, and helps in managing calories better while also adding many healthy nutrients in place of empty calories.

For a nutrition-filled, satisfying meal, dribble some multifloral honey over a bowl of muesli with skimmed milk.
This blend of sugar, trace enzymes, minerals, vitamins, and amino acids is quite unlike any other sweetener on the planet. Honey is a great substitute for sugar, and helps in managing calories better..
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An important habit is to keep yourself well-hydrated. If you find it hard to drink plain water, you can try adding lemon or fresh fruits to the water.

Water is important to keep the immune system healthy and to flush out toxins.

An important habit is to keep yourself well-hydrated. If you find it hard to drink plain water, you can try adding lemon or fresh fruits to the water. Water is important to keep the immune system hea..
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You can also indulge in a bowl of oats. Rich in dietary fibre and protein, oats are a low-calorie food that will keep you feeling full for a longer period of time. They also manage cholesterol levels, maintain healthy body weight, and reduce the risk of blood sugar and diabetes.


(Inputs: Dolly Kumar, Founder and Director, GAIA via IANS)

You can also indulge in a bowl of oats. Rich in dietary fibre and protein, oats are a low-calorie food that will keep you feeling full for a longer period of time. They also manage cholesterol levels..
Read More
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