Eating at night...how bad is it, really?

meldaniel

Ok, I am doing great so far with my diet except for one thing...I really want a snack at night! I have 2 small children so I can't workout until the evenings when the hubby is home and everything winds down, and since I run and walk outdoors I don't even do that until 8 or 9 when it cools down a little. When I get home I want a snack but I am worried that eating before bed will ruin all the work I have done. If I am not going over my calorie goal for the day does it really make a difference when I eat the calories? Has anyone tested this? Thanks!!!

TiffyBear415_xx

I'm wondering the same day. I love me some night time snacks!

peacestar84

I've personally never found it made any difference at all. I think it is what you eat not when you eat that makes a difference.

funkyspunky871

Eating at night should not affect your weight loss in any negative way. This a very common weight loss myth.

jbucci1186

from my experience, it doesn't matter how late/what time you eat, though I think what matters more is what you're eating at those times. I eat a snack every night between 10 and 11pm (sometimes later) and I've been doing that since I before started trying to losing weight (so about a year/my whole life). I noticed though, that if I was consistently eating a lot of carbs (i had a cream of wheat kick for a while), my weight loss would slow down, but it i switched to more protein (honestly it was sugar free pudding haha) i would start losing like i was before. i don't know why that it is or anything, but that's how it is for me. i think it's more about calories in vs. calories out per day.

also, if you're trying not to eat, you could try ice water/tea/even diet pop or maybe a couple baby carrots, or chew sugar free gum. Oscar mayer makes pretty low calorie lunch meat that i think is pretty good. obviously water and tea are better options, but whatever satisfies you, right?

hope that helps!

dragonbug300

It's fine. It won't ruin you. In fact, many schools of thought say that having protein right before bed is great for your muscles and helps you metabolize food better the next day.

People misunderstand why it's bad to eat at night... it has to do with self-control, not metabolism (the metabolism thing is a myth). The tireder you get, the less self-control you have around your favorite snack foods, and thus are more likely to go over calories. If you still meet your goal, it's no harm done.

cheshirechic

I've read that it doesn't really matter when you eat, just what and how much. Make sure that you don't go above your calories.

I, however, have absolutely no credible source for this, except my own experience. I eat when I'm hungry, and stop eating when I've hit (or are just below) my calories for the day. I also try to space them out-- so, for example, if I know that I'll want to have a snack when my fiance comes home from work, I'll reserve 200 cals so we can have popcorn together. If you know exactly what you want to eat after walking/running, just account for it during the day.

I've done this and have still had results (two pants sizes). I just don't eat an hour before bed because I know I'll feel gross in the morning. BUT...keep in mind that every body is different, and you have to find what works for you. If you have a later-night snack, and find that you've hit a plateau, it may be time to reevaluate it. I hope this helps!

quietlywinning

I snack at night - healthy snacks without going over on my calories. I'm a little over a month in and have lost 5# so for now I'll just keep doing what I'm doing. Watch to see how *your* body responds. If you're doing okay, don't worry about it. If you feel that you aren't making the progress you should after several weeks, experiment a bit.

bjclaywell

I also work out in the evenings and eat dinner after, and then sometimes even a snack before I go to bed. I like to have yogurt, when I've got it, or something that makes me really chew (carrots, celery with peanut butter, etc). Just something little to tide me over. When I first started, I was very strict about not eating after like 7 pm - but in the last 4-6 weeks, I ditched that, and my weight loss has been exactly the same. I think (and I'm no expert - it's just what works for me) that its ultimately about the calories in vs calories burned.

Good luck!!

bjohs

Personally, I snack at night all the time as long as I don't go over my calories. Sometimes right before I go to bed. I just make sure it's something light like a pudding cup, piece of fruit, cheese stick, etc. I think I sleep better if my stomach has something in it.

eeeekie

I don't think it has any effect on your total weight loss or ability to lose. Only advice I have is the night before you weigh in, don't eat a heavy meal. It will reflect on the scale if you eat super late and weigh in 8 hours later, the next morning. It's not a true gain, just the food hasn't been digested yet.

I eat 11pm some nights...I have night class and dinner is when I get home.

sharleengc

Overall, I think it depends on the person. I've heard it's bad for you and I've heard it's good/doesn't matter. Personally, I don't eat dinner until 10pm at the earliest due to my work schedule. It doesn't affect my weight loss at all.

JoniBologna

It doesn't matter what time we eat, just how much! Definitely a myth. Personally, I like having a little snack a few hours after dinner. I used to eat a ton at night and usually unhealthy foods. Now, I allow myself 4 or 5 chocolate covered almonds or some cashews. It helps satisfy that urge, but it's not detrimental to my hard work for the day.

porksiopao

I always have had a meal at night (between 9 and 11pm), I get hungry since we are early dinner eaters (5:30 or 6pm). This is allocated in my daily calorie intake, so as long as you incorporate it as part of your calorie plan, you should be fine.