In addition to determining your eating style, it’s a good idea to figure out how many times a day you need to eat to keep yourself energized. It’s always a good idea to eat breakfast before your day starts getting busy. Skipping meals is never a great idea. If you tend to eat bigger meals, try to forgo snacks in between. If you prefer to eat smaller meals, it’s a good idea to have a small snack in between meals to hold you over and to ensure you are getting all the nutrients your body needs. Find what works for you and be consistent: that’s the key.

Lastly, try to eat your meals within a 14 hour (or less) window (e.g., between 7am-7pm). During a daily period of fasting (i.e., in the hours you’re not eating), many physiological processes take place that work to support healthy digestive and microbiome functions.