We all know how important it is to fuel our bodies throughout the day – but at a time when many of us are used to grabbing food on the go, it can be hard to keep up a regular eating schedule. For those who practise intuitive eating, the idea of eating to a schedule may even feel outdated – especially if it requires you to ignore hunger cues in favour of consistency. But according to the experts, eating at the same times every day could be good for us.

Like many areas of health, it’s all to do with the body’s circadian rhythm – the physical, mental and behavioural changes that coincide with a 24-hour schedule.  

Research suggests having regular mealtimes could have significant benefits for our health. A 2019 paper published in the Journal of Biological Rhythms found that eating at consistent times is important for a robust circadian rhythm and they also optimize our metabolism. The study also showed that irregular eating patterns have been associated with type two diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Just like with sleep patterns, according to this research, our bodies favour consistent routines when it comes to food.