Abstract

Background/Objectives We assessed the association between the timing of meals across the day with diet composition and metabolic parameters in patients with type-2 diabetes (T2D). Subjects/Methods Eighty adults (55.2 +/- 6.8 years, 45% males) patients with T2D (without insulin therapy) were included. Three non-consecutive dietary records assessed food intake. The onset time of each consumed meal/beverage was identified and assigned to one of three periods of the day: Period 1 (P1, 06:00-11:59 h), Period 2 (P2, 12:00-17:59 h), and Period 3 (P3, 18:00-00:30 h). Results Energy intake in P1 was lower compared to P2 and P3 (22.8 +/- 7.9%, 37.5 +/- 9.6%, and 39.7 +/- 9.9%, respectively, P 0.001). The same pattern was found for both total protein and fat intake, but carbohydrate intake was similar among periods. Patients with greater daily energy intake (as % of total energy) in P3 showed increased total food consumption, total energy, protein, and fat intake (all P 0.05). The opposite pattern was observed in patients with greater daily energy intake in P1 (all P 0.05). Regression analysis showed that daily energy intake was significantly reduced when a higher proportion of carbohydrates was eaten in P1 (vs. P3, P 0.04). Conclusion Increased energy intake late during the day is related to increased total food and daily energy intake in patients with T2D. A greater proportion of total carbohydrates eaten early during the day relates to lower total energy intake. Our results suggest that earlier food intake may be a nutritional tool for dietary and metabolic control in these patients.