Technically, the best time to eat dried fruit and nuts is whenever you feel like it.
However, there are certain times of day that the healthy fats and natural sugars can benefit you optimally.
Will that handful of raisins you reached for between Zoom calls be better suited for breakfast?
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Are a small cup of almonds best at bedtime or during that midafternoon slump?
Can blending dates and walnuts into a smoothie have benefits besides tasting really good?
While dried fruits and nuts are nutrient-dense powerhouses, theyre not a one-size-fits-all fix.
Their benefits shift depending on whenand whyyou eat them.
So when is the best time to eat dried fruits and nuts?
And does it really matter whether you pop those pistachiosbefore a workoutor after a nap?
According to experts, the answer is yes.
The timing can affect everything from energy and digestion to blood sugar and sleep quality.
The issue lies in the timing rather than the food.
Experts break through the noise to give us the facts.
In other words, its all about matching your consumption to your needs.
Active individuals are better able to utilize natural sugars and fats postexercise.
Dried fruit hasa higher glycemic loadand should be eaten in moderation, preferably in the morning or pre-workout.
Health conditions also shape the rules.
Sports nutritionist Nicole Linhares Kedia suggests iron-rich soaked raisins in the morning for those dealing with heavy periods.
For PMS relief, magnesium-packed pumpkin seeds, almonds, or walnuts stirred into dinnertime soups can help.
Cashews and raisins give you a mental boost tobeat the afternoon slump, says Rangar.
Avoid dried fruit late at night, says Mehta.
The natural sugars in dry fruits may ferment in the gut, leading to gas and discomfort.
Sleep quality
Certain foods work synergistically withmagnesium-richnuts to improve relaxation,melatonin production, andsleep quality.
Linhares Kedia advises having crushed pistachios or almonds in milk since milk contains tryptophan, which boosts melatonin.
Dark cherries with nuts also help boost melatonin production.
But avoid sugary nuts like honey-roasted or chocolate-covered ones that can cause energy spikes.
Salty nuts lead to dehydration and excess sodium in the body.
Similarly, caffeinated nuts can disrupt melatonin and affect your sleep cycle, she says.
This story originally appeared inVogueIndia.
