Not consuming enough calories (should I eat after 8)

Lydbell

:flowerforyou: Ok so I have just started and yesterday my chart told me I wasn't consuming enough calories. I don't feel deprived and the only time I get really hungry is after I exercise. The question is I usually exercise at night...should I eat anything if my calorie count is low or try to not eat and go to bed hungry. I always thought there was a rule to not eat after eight but I do my exercise after that time. I would appreciate some opinions on this. Thanks for all who could help

BethanyMasters

I TRY not to eat about 2 hours before I go to bed. That doesn't always work out though. I tend to like to have a small snack before bed. And if Im genuinely hungry I eat regardless of the time.

It hasn't really been a problem for me personally but everybody is different.

louiseei

Why not have somethig easily digestible like a fruit (I love bananas myself)? You should try to eat your recommended calories or close to.

jAdorelife

calories are calories no matter when you eat them. the reason they say don't eat at night is because most people do all their high calorie burning activitiy during the day. it's best to eat after working out (no matter what time) for two reasons, one is to give your body nutrients after a workout & the other is because you boost your metabolism after working out so youll burn off the cals faster. i work out & night & i always eat after & i haven't noticed a difference in my results from my friend who doesn't eat after 7.

GURLEY_GIRL3

You should atleast eat 1200 calories from what i understand. and I dont think a light snack would hurt if you still have calories left.

Lydbell

thanks all!!! Wow this place is great I am so glad to have found it.:laugh:

WarmDontBurn

I eat a bag of popcorn every night around 9pm. I am a HUGE night snacker and as long as I am under my calories it has never hindered my weight loss.

eftacas

You really should try to workout earlier in the day. It's not good to workout before bed because working out, wakes your body up. So, it may make it harder for you to go to sleep or workout before dinner. When your finished you'll be hungry and you can eat your dinner. Also, get your water intake up. The more water you drink the fuller you'll feel. (<---That has really been a challenge for me).

dirty_diana

You should eat! The "rule" about not eating at night is not a hard and fast one. Many people will tell you that your body won't metabolize these calories properly, but if you are working out at night, guess what? Your body will do just fine. Just make sure what you eat is good, quality food. Plus, the difference in your overnight metabolism is definitely a lesser evil than the long term impact of not eating enough calories to sustain yourself.

vfinkenstadt

First of all, I would make sure that the calorie counts are accurate. I've found that many of the "member contributed" items are wrong or missing information. It's easier for me to enter the information myself in "my foods" and calculate the nutritional value of "my recipes" in order to ensure proper values. I personally don't see anything wrong with not eating if you're not hungry. The key, though, is to not binge or make bad food choices because you skipped a meal and are now ravenous.

Warmbloodwear

I was having this problem as well. I was starving the last 2 nights and when I woke up! So last night I read to try a banana and I did. It wasn't enough. So I tried a protein shake and that did the trick. I wasnt eating all my exercise calories back and I guess I should:)

Lydbell

so I decided that as long as I stay in my calories for the day eating at night is not a bad thing. As long as it is something light so I won't have to go to bed hungry. I will let you know how it goes. Thanks everyone for your help it's nice to know there are other people out there.

hpsnickers1

calories are calories no matter when you eat them. the reason they say don't eat at night is because most people do all their high calorie burning activitiy during the day. it's best to eat after working out (no matter what time) for two reasons, one is to give your body nutrients after a workout & the other is because you boost your metabolism after working out so youll burn off the cals faster. i work out & night & i always eat after & i haven't noticed a difference in my results from my friend who doesn't eat after 7.

The other night I had to have 2 small meals because dinner didn't do it - part of that was 2 tbsp of natural peanut butter - 16g of fat but good for you fat. We burn calories in our sleep too. I'm 5'2" and 126 and I burn roughly 430 calories in eight hours of sleeping - of course I don't get to sleep like that during the week.

Have something light and nutritious and you'll be fine.