Nutrition
This Is The Best Time To Eat Dried Fruit & Nuts To Maximize Their Benefits
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Nutrition
This Is The Best Time To Eat Dried Fruit & Nuts To Maximize Their Benefits
To reap all the benefits of nuts and dried fruits, experts recommend eating them at this specific time of day.
Almonds, dates, hazelnuts, raisins, dried apricots—dried fruits and nuts are rich in fibre, healthy fats, and minerals. Add them into a bowl of yogurt, blend into a smoothie, or nibble on the go—there are tons of ways we can easily incorporate them into our diet. But did you know that the time of day you eat dried nuts and fruits that can influence their effects on your body?
This is when to eat dried fruits and nuts
For an energy boost
Certain dried fruits and nuts are perfect for getting a boost, whether in the morning, before working out, or when you're feeling a bit sluggish in the afternoon.
In the morning: almonds, hazelnuts or walnuts provide stable energy thanks to their content of good fats and proteins.
Before training: dates, dried figs or pistachios provide quickly assimilated carbohydrates, perfect for supporting the effort.
In the afternoon: raisins or cashews provide a little mental boost, ideal for countering fatigue.
Recipe idea: a smoothie made with dates, plant-based milk, and blended nuts is an excellent energizing snack…and delicious!
To manage weight
Dried fruits and nuts are filling, especially when eaten in small amounts at the right times.
In the morning or early in the day: A small handful of soaked almonds or raisins helps stave off cravings. The body then has all day to metabolize them.
As a snack: a balanced mix (dried fruit + nuts) can satisfy hunger without causing blood sugar spikes.
Avoid: Consuming large quantities in the evening, especially if you are not very active, because excess can be stored as fat.
To Improve Digestion
The fibre found in some dried fruits and nuts can support good bowel movements, but it all depends on what type you eat and when.
In the morning: prunes, figs, raisins, and almonds stimulate intestinal transit.
In the evening: snack on fruits that are less rich in fibre, such as dried apricots or soaked nuts, which are gentler on the stomach and less likely to cause bloating.
To improve sleep
Certain dried fruits and nuts, rich in magnesium or amino acids, promote relaxation and the production of melatonin (the sleep hormone).
In the evening: A few crushed pistachios or almonds in a cup of warm milk (plant-based or cow) can provide a relaxing effect. Milk contains tryptophan, a natural precursor to melatonin.
To relieve PMS
Heavy periods: Soaked raisins, rich in iron, should be eaten in the morning to promote better absorption of the mineral.
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS): Pumpkin seeds, almonds, or walnuts, rich in magnesium, can be incorporated into evening soups to help relieve symptoms.
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