{"id":38386,"date":"2025-04-21T13:11:08","date_gmt":"2025-04-21T13:11:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/38386\/"},"modified":"2025-04-21T13:11:08","modified_gmt":"2025-04-21T13:11:08","slug":"first-protein-then-fiber-the-science-behind-meal-sequencing-and-how-to-do-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/38386\/","title":{"rendered":"First protein, then fiber. The science behind meal sequencing and how to do it."},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Dietitians and doctors have been touting for years the importance of eating a <a data-i13n=\"cpos:1;pos:1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/lifestyle\/most-americans-arent-eating-an-ideal-diet-according-to-a-new-study-heres-how-you-can-improve-210023943.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:balanced diet;cpos:1;pos:1;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">balanced diet<\/a> to fuel your body properly and lower the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and obesity. That means eating a variety of foods to get in key nutrients like vitamins and minerals, and typically consists of <a data-i13n=\"elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:2;pos:1\" class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu\/healthy-eating-plate\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:lean protein, fruits and vegetables, healthy fats and whole grains;elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:2;pos:1;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\">lean protein, fruits and vegetables, healthy fats and whole grains<\/a>. But did you know that the order in which you eat your food also matters?<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Meal sequencing, or eating your food in a specific order, can have a significant impact on blood sugar control, cravings and more. Some researchers say meal sequencing is an effective dietary strategy, especially for the <a data-i13n=\"elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:3;pos:1\" class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC7551485\/#sec6-nutrients-12-02502\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:prevention and management of diabetes and obesity;elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:3;pos:1;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\">prevention and management of diabetes and obesity<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cThis approach isn&#8217;t just trendy \u2014 it&#8217;s grounded in real science,\u201d naturopathic doctor <a data-i13n=\"elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:4;pos:1\" class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/www.glownaturalwellness.com\/pages\/team\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Michelle Sands;elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:4;pos:1;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\">Michelle Sands<\/a>, the founder and chief executive officer of <a data-i13n=\"elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:5;pos:1\" class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/www.glownaturalwellness.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Glow Natural Wellness;elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:5;pos:1;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\">Glow Natural Wellness<\/a>, tells Yahoo Life.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How does meal sequencing work?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Meal sequencing is a relatively simple strategy. The idea behind it is that you should eat foods in a specific order \u2014 namely, having protein, healthy fats and <a data-i13n=\"cpos:6;pos:1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/lifestyle\/fibermaxxing-dietitian-approved-heres-more-090046055.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:fiber-rich;cpos:6;pos:1;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">fiber-rich<\/a>, nonstarchy vegetables before consuming refined carbohydrates like white bread and white rice, or foods that are made with white flour or <a data-i13n=\"cpos:7;pos:1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/lifestyle\/5-simple-ways-to-cut-back-on-added-sugar-145457495.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:added sugar;cpos:7;pos:1;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">added sugar<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><strong>For breakfast or brunch, try this:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"mb-4\">\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Start with protein-rich eggs prepared to your liking<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Next, eat some fresh or frozen fruit for fiber<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Lastly, end with a slice of whole wheat toast, pancake or biscuit<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><strong>At lunch, you may want to eat:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"mb-4\">\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">A small green salad or some roasted veggies<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Following that, eat a tuna or turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><a data-i13n=\"elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:8;pos:1\" class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/lisa-shah-4a297b19\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Dr. Lisa Shah;elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:8;pos:1;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\">Dr. Lisa Shah<\/a>, chief medical officer for <a data-i13n=\"elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:9;pos:1\" class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/usa.twinhealth.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Twin Health;elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:9;pos:1;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\">Twin Health<\/a>, tells Yahoo Life that she\u2019s a fan of meal sequencing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><strong>For dinner, she recommends something like this<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"mb-4\">\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Start with a salad or other fiber-rich, nonstarchy vegetable<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Next, eat a bunless burger or another source of protein<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Follow that with a small portion of french fries or other carbohydrate-rich food<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">End with dessert, if desired<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>What\u2019s the benefit of eating foods in a certain order?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">By \u201cpreloading\u201d with protein, healthy fat and fiber, your body can delay gastric emptying, enhance <a data-i13n=\"elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:10;pos:1\" class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org\/health\/body\/22601-insulin\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:insulin secretion;elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:10;pos:1;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\">insulin secretion<\/a> and reduce blood sugar spikes. Here\u2019s a look at the benefits of meal sequencing:<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><strong>It improves blood sugar control<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) is a risk factor for the development of diabetes. Improving major shifts in glucose (blood sugar) levels after a meal reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Meal sequencing can also <a data-i13n=\"cpos:11;pos:1\" href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC7551485\/#sec6-nutrients-12-02502\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:improve blood sugar control;cpos:11;pos:1;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">improve blood sugar control<\/a> in people with existing diabetes.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Sands adds: \u201cThis matters for metabolic health, hormone balance, weight management and even mental clarity.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><strong>Meal sequencing can help prevent overeating<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">By filling up on protein and fiber first, you may have improved satiety or fullness from your meals, making it less likely you\u2019ll overeat. Ingesting protein first also increases GLP-1 secretion (the same GLP-1 stimulated by <a data-i13n=\"elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:12;pos:1\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/lifestyle\/prescriptions-for-weight-loss-drugs-are-skyrocketing-especially-among-young-women-experts-think-they-know-why-100013729.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:popular weight loss medications;elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:12;pos:1;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">popular weight loss medications<\/a> like Ozempic), which plays a role in appetite regulation.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cThis is a powerful strategy for weight management, especially in midlife, when appetite signals can become dysregulated due to hormonal shifts,\u201d says Sands.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><strong>It helps decrease food cravings<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">With better blood sugar control, you may experience fewer cravings. Rapid increases in blood sugar can trigger dopamine release, which makes you feel good. This can cause cravings for highly palatable foods that are high in fat and sugar and in some cases, can lead to <a data-i13n=\"cpos:13;pos:1\" href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC5912158\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:food addiction;cpos:13;pos:1;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">food addiction<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cStable blood sugars reduce hunger fluctuations and cravings for sweets or snacks,\u201d Shah says.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><strong>Meal sequencing aids weight loss efforts<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The eating strategy may improve obesity thanks to enhanced GLP-1 secretion, which suppresses appetite and may reduce energy intake. So meal sequencing can be beneficial for those looking to lose weight. A small study out of Japan found that <a data-i13n=\"cpos:14;pos:1\" href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/31648850\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:meal sequencing was more effective at weight reduction;cpos:14;pos:1;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">meal sequencing was more effective at weight reduction<\/a> than interventions aimed at balancing meals in people with prediabetes.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><strong>It can help lower chronic inflammation<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Persistently high blood sugar levels can lead to <a data-i13n=\"cpos:15;pos:1\" href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC4888494\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:chronic inflammation;cpos:15;pos:1;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">chronic inflammation<\/a>, which is linked to <a data-i13n=\"cpos:16;pos:1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/lifestyle\/inflammation-double-edged-sword-protect-101111303.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:conditions such as heart disease;cpos:16;pos:1;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">conditions such as heart disease<\/a> and may compromise the immune system. Eating healthy foods in a certain order, however, can help keep blood sugar levels steady, potentially reducing inflammation.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The bottom line<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Meal sequencing is a simple tool anyone can utilize that may improve health if practiced regularly.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cChanging the order in which foods are eaten \u2014 without eliminating carbohydrates \u2014 can lead to measurable improvements in glycemic control,\u201d says Shah. \u201cMeal sequencing is a simple, low-effort and cost-effective strategy that may be especially valuable in real-world diabetes management.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><a data-i13n=\"elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:17;pos:1\" class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/katiedrakeford.my.canva.site\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Katie Drakeford;elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:17;pos:1;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\">Katie Drakeford<\/a> is a registered dietitian and freelance nutrition writer based in Oklahoma City, Okla.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Dietitians and doctors have been touting for years the importance of eating a balanced diet to fuel your&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":38387,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4318],"tags":[1298,105,21912,21914,4434,21913,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-38386","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nutrition","8":"tag-blood-sugar","9":"tag-health","10":"tag-lean-protein","11":"tag-michelle-sands","12":"tag-nutrition","13":"tag-sequencing","14":"tag-uk","15":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/114376126521219353","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38386","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38386"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38386\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/38387"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38386"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=38386"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=38386"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}