Meal timing for bedtime hungries

susieoj

Hi guys,
I keep wondering whether it really matters if I eat before bed. I know the most important factor in leaning out is calories in versus calories out and maintaining a small deficit overall. However I hear so many opinions on the nutrition and fitness podcasts that I listen to regarding the benefit of giving your body 12 hours of fasted time to burn fat, not during the day but by stopping calorie intake 2 hours before bed and then waiting two hours after waking up to begin fueling. I'm not trying to adopt an IF lifestyle overall but I wanted to hear your opinions on eating right before bed since I really respect you guys. I tend to wake up really hungry during the night if I don't have my bedtime protein shake or similar snack (similar macros) before bed, but I don't know whether preventing that hunger may be slowing down my progress toward leaning out.
Thanks

mister_universe

Timing of food at night does not especially matter.

I find that eating something like an apple or other low glycemic food keeps morning headaches away and is usually low calorie enough and filling enough to be of help with nighttime cravings. So if you need a nighttime snack, that's probably a good bet.

susieoj

In the past when I've used a low GI carb like an apple or a serving of sweet potato I've still woken up around 2-3 am feeling raging hungry, so I started using protein like a shake or a serving of cottage cheese or plain yogurt as a bedtime snack, what advantages does the apple have? You think the blood sugar spike from the whey protein is counter productive? Thanks

mister_universe

Well *I* generally eat like a cow before bed, so I'm the worst person ever to ask. :laugh:

During cutting for me, however, just an apple seems to stave off some of the worst of it. Perhaps some other kind soul will jump in with a better suggestion.

Sarauk2sf

Eat in a way and to a cadence that is best for you, with regard to energy levels, adherence, satiety and preference.


http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/820577-meal-frequency-rev-up-that-furnace-lol

SideSteel

However I hear so many opinions on the nutrition and fitness podcasts that I listen to regarding the benefit of giving your body 12 hours of fasted time to burn fat

I think that's total nonsense.

I'm not aiming that at you as I know you're just asking the question.

See Sara's reply above.

susieoj

Thanks, ok, that makes me feel better. I'd rather have a shake before bed and not wake up with the hunger pains, but it was throwing my head into a tailspin hearing so much about the benefit of fasting and letting your body experience hunger lol. I shall continue to happily eat more later in the day

Chieflrg

I wouldn't put too much thought into it. Your body will react the way it wants to.

I routinely eat 1800-3000 calories the last two hours just before bed about every night whether I'm cutting, bulking, or comping.

It works for me. I don't wake up hungry & usually get a good run in fasted or hit the gym with something light.

It individualized on how your body feels or reacts with many things in life.

NovemberJune

I know Sara and SS already replied, but if anecdotes make you feel better... I generally save about 500 calories to eat right before bed, and it's often junky stuff like chips or ice cream (or both) and I haven't had any issues losing fat Good luck