Who hasn't heard of Ori Hofmeikler and his famous Warrior Diet? In the popular book Ori explains that under eating during the day stimulates the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), which promotes alertness, competitiveness and energy expenditure. During this time: insulin falls to baseline, human growth hormone is elevated, and glucagon starts mobilizing fat. All of these hormonal traits are desirable as well as have anti-aging effects.

On the flip side, Ori makes the argument that over-consuming during the evening triggers the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), which promotes relaxation, digestion and recuperation. This controlled overeating is said to promote the body into an anabolic state, switching on one of man's most prized hormones, testosterone.

How legit is the science of Ori's Warrior diet? I'm not qualified in anyway to draw a conclusion, but based on my research and anecdotal experience, I would suggest that this way of eating is highly beneficial.

I've flirted with the one meal a day protocol for quite some time. I'm not quite sure why, but I have this romanticized view of it. Originally in my paleo days, I attempted to incorporate a warrior style meal plan. I would get off work at 6pm and rush home as fast as possible to gorge on my regimented 2000 calorie meal (planned on Fitday of course). My blood sugar and insulin still must have been out-of-control during this time, because waiting until 6pm in the evening to eat was pure agony. Only after more than a year and half on a zero-carb diet have things changed enough to where this pattern seems very appropriate and even natural.

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