Eating the rest of my calories late at night?

jelkins2000

I guess I just need to start eating more throughout the day! Most days (when I'm eating well) I'll eat all my meals, and then at night I find that I still have like 300 - 500 calories left over. If this happens should I still eat them, even if it's like 9:00 pm or later?

Thoughts?

SezxyStef

calories do not tell time...if you have calories left and are hungry or even want a snack eat it...

the calorie deficet doesn't work on a 24 hour clock it's a long term thing....as long as you stay within your weekly/monthly goals you are fine...regardless of what time you eat the calories.

jelkins2000

Thanks, but what if I'm not hungry? I feel like I need to eat the calories even if I'm not hungry, but I've also heard you should not eat after a certain time (or so close to going to bed).

lesteidel

If you aren't hungry, it makes no sense to eat. Your body will tell you when it needs food.

Eating before bed doesn't make a bit of difference to weight loss as long as you are in a deficit. I always eat right before bedtime and have never had a problem.

Some people will get upset tummies if they eat right before bed, but it won't make you gain weight if you are in a deficit.

Branstin

What about more frutis, veggies, and a little low-sodium nuts during the day?

tiffd1000

I try to avoid eatting at night. Unless I am hungry then I have some nuts or something -- but I don't eat a ton.

mschicagocubs

Thanks, but what if I'm not hungry? I feel like I need to eat the calories even if I'm not hungry, but I've also heard you should not eat after a certain time (or so close to going to bed).

I'm not hungry sometimes, but I just want to have a scoop of ice cream.

If I have calories left to eat, I try to at least eat half of them.

Your stomach isn't the only way of determining hunger.

craftywitch_63

Eating that close to bedtime raises your risk of stroke and other health issues.

Sleeping Soon After Dinner May Raise Stroke Risk
People Who Wait an Hour or More After Eating Before Going to Bed Have a 66% Lower Stroke Risk

Once again, mom was right: Don't eat too close to bedtime. A new study suggests that waiting at least an hour after dinner before going to sleep reduces your risk of stroke by about two-thirds.

And for every 20 minutes more that you wait, stroke risk drops another 10%, says researcher Cristina-Maria Kastorini, MSc, a nutritionist at the University of Ioannina Medical School in Greece.

The study does not prove cause and effect -- only that there seems to be an association between waiting an hour or more between dinner and bedtime and reduced stroke risk.

The full article is at:
http://www.webmd.com/stroke/news/20110830/sleeping-soon-after-dinner-may-raise-stroke-risk

Edited to add: You would probably be better just letting the calories go or planning larger meals/snacks during the day.

jelkins2000

Lot's of great feedback. I think I just need to do a better job of planning out my meals ahead of time so I eat a little more throughout the day, but I like the fruit/nut suggestions.