Is a late night snack feasible?

SugarFreeV510

In the past I always adhered to eating nothing after 7pm. But I want a late night snack of something unprocessed like fruit or veggies. Is it okay if I haven't went over my calories for the day? I don't want to be too strict on myself and quit.
Thanks in advance.

jayliospecky

It's fine. Meal timing is irrelevant for the purposes of general weight loss.

kellyskitties

If you haven't gone over your calories OR you are truly hungry - EAT. I don't consider times to be relevant.

Achrya

If it fits you eats!

I'm having Cheerios right now (7:30 pm) and I'll have some ice cream and cookies later (around 8:39 or 9) I almost always do a dessert before bed

xplosion80

I think its fine. I generally have nuts or yogurt at midnight.
So far no issues.

SugarFreeV510

I respect all of your opinons!! I see success with all of you, and that is reassuring. I am under my calories for the day, and because of all of you I'm not afraid to EAT!!! Lol thanks to all of you so much!!! =]

Stopin_da_yoyo

Generally if its past 11 and I get hungry I drink water or milk and this helps. Sometimes I need more so I would eat something like an egg white boiled or chobani greek yogurt. Log it all!!!

SeattleRaven

Yes, just don't overeat and then lie down.

Ruckus85

In the past I always adhered to eating nothing after 7pm. But I want a late night snack of something unprocessed like fruit or veggies. Is it okay if I haven't went over my calories for the day? I don't want to be too strict on myself and quit.
Thanks in advance.

Of course as long as your in the right macros. I try not to eat after 8 but sometimes that doesn't always work. My favorite night time snack is something on the sweet side tonight I blended a cup of frozen fruit with a splash of juice, it was thick like sherbet. It was delish. Or another favorite of mine is reduced fat pb with fat free cool whip, mixed together it taste just like a white chocolate pb cup. Amazing! Or there is always veggies/almonds are good 23-26.

Ryhenblue

Or another favorite of mine is reduced fat pb with fat free cool whip, mixed together it taste just like a white chocolate pb cup. Amazing! .

That does sound interesting I'll have to keep it in mind when looking for something sweet to eat. But yea I never restrict myself from eating after a certain time.

Oi_Sunshine

I eat half my calorhies for the day at dinner and afterward. I know I will be hungry without fail at around 9, so I make sure there is room for that. Not huge on breakfast.

Auna37

If you haven't reached your calorie count then go for it. Just don't eat something that will keep you up all night XD

KameHameHaaa

I tend to eat most my cals later in the day, but i always make sure to leave some left over for late night. I had a mug cake about an hour ago

Auna37

Can I eat that picture? It looks really yummy!

LoupGarouTFTs

I always plan a bedtime snack, which I usually eat sometime between 11:00 and 1:00 (depending on when I go to sleep). I tend to have a glass of milk with sugar-free cookies or cheese melted on toast or, if I need the protein, a protein bar. I need to take my metformin at bedtime, so snacks like these tend to reduce the nausea I get from the pill and help me wake up feeling decent in the morning.

yogicarl

I agree, time is irrelevant to your eating pattern so long as you are eating within your calorie quota. However, I find I can make bad food choices when I am closing down towards sleep and that is the danger time when I may go over, so I avoid late night snacking.

43mmmgoody21

It's always about calories in vs. calories out (whether you are trying to lose, maintain, or gain weight). So as long as you hit your targets (I prefer weekly average caloric goals) it doesn't matter when you eat.

When losing weight i frequently ended my night (at about 10:00 with a few servings of ice-cream). The idea that late night snacks make you fat is B.S. Calories in vs calories out.

LoupGarouTFTs

I agree, time is irrelevant to your eating pattern so long as you are eating within your calorie quota. However, I find I can make bad food choices when I am closing down towards sleep and that is the danger time when I may go over, so I avoid late night snacking.

I agree. That's why I plan my meals in advance for the day, including my bedtime snack. Since I'm already avoiding sugar and trying to keep to about 120 mg carbs/day, I think it's easier for me to avoid going over than it is for some people without those restrictions. It's all about knowing what you can eat and sticking with it, just like any other part of developing a healthy eating style.

CuteAndCurvy83

as long as your mouth doesn't magically close, then yep Right now I am snacking on pepperoni and a cheese stick.

yogicarl

I agree, time is irrelevant to your eating pattern so long as you are eating within your calorie quota. However, I find I can make bad food choices when I am closing down towards sleep and that is the danger time when I may go over, so I avoid late night snacking.

I agree. That's why I plan my meals in advance for the day, including my bedtime snack. Since I'm already avoiding sugar and trying to keep to about 120 mg carbs/day, I think it's easier for me to avoid going over than it is for some people without those restrictions. It's all about knowing what you can eat and sticking with it, just like any other part of developing a healthy eating style.

Yes - I think for me, I would need to factor in the late night snack and prepare it in a box in the fridge early on and then go to it and nothing else for the late night snack. That way it would form part of my daily eating routine.

The problem with that - for me - is that would most possibly trigger a feeding frenzy as I find late night is the weakest part of the day. ................ "Do not feed the Yogi after 9pm"

edit: one solution could be to prepare say 50g of a good quality muesli with some fresh grapes, strawberries in season, or whatever and eat that with milk, which would satisfy the late night munchies without overstimulating the appetite fro stronger flavoured high calorie stuff.

AzaleaNicole38

If it's within my calories, yes.
I'll eat at 3 am for all I care. However, I won't eat an hour or 2 before bed because the food doesn't digest properly.

LoupGarouTFTs

If it's within my calories, yes.
I'll eat at 3 am for all I care. However, I won't eat an hour or 2 before bed because the food doesn't digest properly.

Food digests the same while you're sleeping or while you're running a marathon. As long as you've got no other physical issues, such as acid reflux, there's no reason to avoid eating before bed. I have my snack, feed my dogs, and go to bed, so probably no more than 20 to 30 minutes passes after I eat before I'm lying down.

43mmmgoody21

If it's within my calories, yes.
I'll eat at 3 am for all I care. However, I won't eat an hour or 2 before bed because the food doesn't digest properly.

That is a myth. I love eating just before bed-- the food lulls me to sleep (and i digest just fine, ice-cream and all)/

laineybz

I work shifts and sometimes eat around 10pm. Every night i have a hot choc and snack in bed just before sleep.

earlnabby

I always work in a bedtime snack.

SugarFreeV510

All of you ladies and gents are the BEST!! Thank you for the great advice. Btw, I'm going strong and doing great--snacks when I get hungry late at night and all =]