For readers who may want to try overnight fasting to potentially improve their cardiometabolic markers, like blood pressure and daytime blood sugar management, we asked Richard for her top tips.
“First, I emphasize this type of pattern is not about extreme fasting and does not work for every individual — there are a lot of factors, per person, to consider,” she advised. “It’s about creating a consistent overnight rest period for the metabolic system.”
Aside from getting sound advice from an RDN and your healthcare team about your individually tailored needs, Richard offered these general tips for exploring and implementing an overnight fasting pattern:
- Start gradually: If you typically snack at 10:30 pm, shifting to 9:30 pm consistently is progress forward until maybe you’re finished after dinner at 7:30 pm. Sustainable change is more beneficial than dramatic change.
- Prioritize dinner composition: To avoid late-night hunger, include a lean source of 3-4 ounces of protein, add a variety of fiber-rich carbohydrates like beans, grains, and vegetables, and include healthy fats, such as olive oil, avocado, nuts, and seeds.
- Ensure adequate overall daytime intake: Late-night eating is often the body trying to compensate for under-eating earlier in the day.
- Front-load nutrition earlier in the day: There’s something to be said about the age-old adage, “Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper.” Research consistently shows improved glycemic control when calories are distributed earlier rather than heavily at night. Strive for a balanced breakfast, a substantial lunch, and a moderate, satisfying dinner
- Protect sleep: Poor sleep drives late-night cravings by dysregulating the hunger and satiety hormones ghrelin and leptin. Improving sleep hygiene (quality and duration) supports metabolic pathways and regulation.
“Think of overnight fasting as metabolic housekeeping — your body needs uninterrupted time to reset,” Richard said. “Keep in mind, metabolic health is built on rhythm, quality, and consistency, not extremes. We also can not address what we don’t know. Tap into the expertise and resources of an RDN and healthcare team to find what would work best for your and your needs.”