Nutritionist reveals 3 restrictions why starting your day with fruits isn't ideal

Maintaining a balanced diet goes beyond simply meeting daily protein or fiber goals.

According to Deepshikha Jain, when and how you eat can be just as important as what you consume.

In a recent Instagram post on April 18, the nutrition expert outlined three common habits people should avoid to improve overall health, energy levels, and fitness outcomes.

One of her key recommendations is to avoid starting the day with carbohydrates, including fruits.

Instead, she suggests beginning the morning with healthy fats, which can promote satiety, provide sustained energy, and help stabilize blood sugar levels.

“Avoid starting your morning with carbs or fruits, and choose fats to enhance blood sugar stability and gut health,” she said.

Jain also cautioned against late-evening workouts, particularly after 6pm. She explained that exercising at night may elevate cortisol levels — a hormone that naturally peaks in the morning and declines throughout the day. Increased cortisol in the evening can disrupt sleep by keeping the body alert when it should be winding down.

“Exercising later can hike cortisol, increasing energy and alertness, disrupting sleep,” she noted.

Another habit to reconsider is consuming late and heavy dinners. According to Jain, eating large meals late at night can lead to spikes in blood sugar and insulin levels, potentially triggering inflammation and digestive discomfort.

“Late, heavy dinners cause drastic sugar spikes, raise insulin and cortisol, leading to inflammation and digestive concerns,” she explained.

The expert emphasised that achieving optimal health requires a balanced approach — combining proper nutrition, regular physical activity, and adequate rest, all timed appropriately.

As more people turn to social media for wellness advice, experts like Jain are highlighting the importance of simple, consistent lifestyle changes to support long-term health.