Eating Order Matters
Mason O'Donnell
| 17-06-2025

· Cate team
We've all heard advice about eating vegetables before rice or saving dessert for last. But does the order we eat actually affect how our body absorbs nutrients? Today, let's explore this idea together and see what happens inside our bodies during a meal.
Have you ever noticed how different eating habits make you feel? We want to hear from you too!
How Digestion Works
When we eat, our digestive system breaks down food to absorb nutrients. Different foods digest at different speeds—carbs, proteins, fats, and fiber all follow their own process. For example, fiber from vegetables slows digestion and helps regulate blood sugar. This timing can affect how nutrients enter our bloodstream.
Why Order Might Matter
We know eating fiber-rich foods like veggies or salad first can slow down sugar absorption. This helps avoid blood sugar spikes, which is good for energy and overall health. Eating carbs later might reduce the sudden sugar rush and keep us feeling fuller longer. So, the order can impact digestion speed and blood sugar levels.
Protein and Fat: When to Eat Them?
Eating protein and healthy fats early in the meal might slow digestion further and improve nutrient absorption. Protein requires more time to break down, and fats help absorb fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K. Combining these with fiber-rich foods can make the whole meal easier on our system.
What Science Says About Meal Order
Studies show that starting meals with vegetables or protein can lower blood sugar spikes compared to eating carbs first. This means our bodies handle energy better and avoid sudden insulin increases. So, yes, the order of food can influence how our body processes what we eat, especially if we want stable energy.
Practical Tips We Can Try
We suggest starting meals with a vegetable salad or soup, followed by proteins like chicken or beans, and then carbs like rice or bread. If we want a sweet treat, saving dessert for last is a smart move to avoid unnecessary sugar spikes. These small changes can help us feel better after eating.
Listening to Our Bodies
Even though the order can help, the most important thing is enjoying our meals and paying attention to how we feel. Some of us may find certain orders work better than others. We encourage trying different eating sequences and noticing any changes in energy or digestion.
What About You?
How do you usually eat your meals? Do you follow any particular order, or just eat what you want? We'd love to hear if you've noticed a difference when you change the order. Let's share our experiences and learn from each other!
Eating order can indeed influence how our body absorbs nutrients and manages energy. By choosing the right sequence, we can support better digestion and feel more balanced throughout the day. Let's keep exploring these simple habits together and enjoy healthier meals!