9. Getting too many of your daily calories at night.
Yes, focusing on breakfast can help with metabolism, but it’s also important to take a look at your other meals throughout the day. For instance, people who eat a ton of calories for dinner or later at night may be negatively impacting their metabolism.
“Our bodies like to eat during daylight hours when we are more active and need proper fueling,” says Pincus. We don’t eat food while we sleep, because our bodies don’t need to, but what we eat during the day affects our evening hours, which in turn affects our metabolism!
“As the sun sets, your digestive system slows down to prepare for sleep, so people who skip breakfast, eat little during the day, and consume a large portion of their daily calories in the evening are working against natural biorhythms,” says Pincus.
To balance your metabolism based on your natural circadian rhythm, Pincus suggests eating a nourishing breakfast, a larger and hearty lunch, and a smaller dinner portion.
10. Not eating enough fiber.
Fiber is a crucial component in caring for your metabolic health. According to Nutrients, fiber not only helps you maintain a healthy metabolism, but it also helps fight things like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and even cancer.
When it comes to your metabolism, fiber can help in two main ways: the digestion process, and by keeping you full.
“Fiber can increase metabolism by requiring more energy to process,” says Pincus, “and fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, seeds, and whole grains that contain fiber help to keep you full and well-nourished throughout the day.”