When do you stop eating?

mammafrog

I have heard people say don't eat after seven. Well with hubbys work he doesn't get home till 10:30 and we eat together. Does it really make a difference? if so would it be different for people who work nights and sleep during the day? What is the point behind stopping at 7?

monty_williams

Time of day doesn't matter.

CMmrsfloyd

It only matters if you personally experience problems sleeping if you eat close to bed time. If it doesn't bother you in terms of sleeping habits/preferences, eat at whatever time you like. I often don't have dinner until fairly late, and I also continue snacking right up until bedtime. It hasn't hurt my weightloss. Calories at 11pm are worth exactly the same amount as the same calories at 5 pm. :-)

ETA: the whole 'don't eat after 7' thing is probably just an easy way to get people to stop gorging on snacks while sitting in front of the TV. You know, people that want to lose weight but either don't know about calorie deficits or just don't care to count calories. Helps keep them from consuming all those extra snack calories that may have been hurting their efforts before. But for someone who is tracking calories diligently and is aware of their limits, timing does not matter as long as you budget your evening calories into your day just like you budget all your other food into your day. If it fits into your daily goal, eat it whenever you like. :-)

cooter2533

When they say dont eat after 7 they are really saying "dont eat 3-4 hours before you go to bed" so depending on sleep schedule and such that doesnt really apply. Also like a previous poster said time of days really doesnt matter. Ultimately it comes down to Calories in vs calories out.

bprague

when the food is no longer in my apartment... I'm a poor example of proper eating habits.


However, I hear that time of day means squat unless you're a night binger, in which case you would just have to ... not binge.

visualsoul

i think it is because most people are not active after 7pm so there will not be a lot of calorie burning going on. but if you have to eat late just make good food choices.

andreacord

Doesn't matter. I eat late some nights because I'm a university student so I don't have any choice if I'm doing homework or studying and I get hungry.

LaurenAOK

I stop eating when I'm full for the day (or I've reached my calorie limit), haha.

I don't buy into all of that "dont eat after a certain time" stuff. A calorie is a calorie, no matter what time. I do understand why some people restrict themselves at night to prevent binges, but if that's not an issue for you, it shouldn't matter. I eat right before bed all the time and am still losing weight at a normal rate.

AnarchoGen

Last meal I have is 3 hrs before bedtime, no starchy carbs.

andrejjorje

I stop eating when I hit my macros. Time doesn't mater.

mamitosami

Um, almost never?! I eat and keep eating until my calories are all gone! Doesn't matter what time of day...

feduh86

Just like what was said above ... you're just not supposed to eat 3-4 hours before bed

MochaMixAZ

Time of day is irrelevant, unless it makes you uncomfortable to go to bed or lie down with a full belly. It's really calories in versus calories out, regardless of what time you eat those calories.

An exception, in my opinion, is timing food to your workouts. Then it seems to make a difference if you're eating carbs, proteins, fats, etc... and how far in advance off a workout... and what is most likely to give you energy.

cheninaerin

TIme of day isn't exactly irrelevant. If you eat too close to the time you go to sleep, your body wont metabolize it like it would during the day as you move. As you get close to sleep your body slows down, and therefore will not burn off the food you eat at night easily.

Of course, calories in vs calories out is the ultimate decider-- But from a health standpoint, you should give your body at least 3 - 4 hours of activity after eating and before sleep.

sarabig2fit

i try to be up atleast 2 hours after i eat. i don't eat after 7.

MyFeistyEvolution

I personally don't care about the time of day. If I have a calorie goal to eat and I can have something a hour or two before bed, I will.

The only thing to take into consideration is obvious foods that may upset you anyway. I certainly won't go out and have fast food or eat something super heavy before going to bed....I just won't sleep good and will wake up with an upset tummy. In regards to weight loss though, I don't believe time matters.

tanyaMax

i have din-din around 8-9pm and ALWAYS have a mid night snack and go to bed around 2am...DOESNT MATTER

JCN_1103

If I'm hungry I eat. Could care less what time of day it is.

engineman312

sometimes i may have my last meal around 9pm, like today. some days i eat dinner at 7ish, with a dessert or tea 30 minutes later. it really doesn't matter.

ffuunnnnyy__ggiirrll

I stop eating when I'm full.

SimplyShanRunning

I stop eating when I'm full.

Yeah me too ....usually its after I swallow the last bite

infamousmk

The best time to stop eating is before you're asleep.

TeresaC79

Just like what was said above ... you're just not supposed to eat 3-4 hours before bed

Actually this is another dieting myth. You continue burning calories asleep...after all, your body is still working to pump your heart, breath, process food, etc.

The only reason to set a time to stop eating is if you are a binger or boredom eater after a certain time.

tigersword

TIme of day isn't exactly irrelevant. If you eat too close to the time you go to sleep, your body wont metabolize it like it would during the day as you move. As you get close to sleep your body slows down, and therefore will not burn off the food you eat at night easily.

Of course, calories in vs calories out is the ultimate decider-- But from a health standpoint, you should give your body at least 3 - 4 hours of activity after eating and before sleep.

Not true. The body metabolizes food in exactly the same way 24 hours a day. Your body doesn't slow down on a metabolic level. When you sleep, that's when your body does all of it's repair and maintenance work, which actually takes a lot of energy, especially if you worked out during the day. You can burn anywhere from about 600-1000 calories while you sleep, depending on how long you sleep, and your metabolic rate.

IronmanPanda

I eat when I'm hungry and stop when I'm not.

MochaMixAZ

TIme of day isn't exactly irrelevant. If you eat too close to the time you go to sleep, your body wont metabolize it like it would during the day as you move. As you get close to sleep your body slows down, and therefore will not burn off the food you eat at night easily.

Of course, calories in vs calories out is the ultimate decider-- But from a health standpoint, you should give your body at least 3 - 4 hours of activity after eating and before sleep.

I respectfully disagree. While you can find research to support just about anything (and both sides of this story)... the majority of what I have read does not support your theory.

Here's just one example: "According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Weight Control Information Network web site, “it does not matter what time of day you eat. It is what and how much you eat and how much physical activity you do during the whole day that determines whether you gain, lose, or maintain your weight.”

beautifulbeast11

Just like what was said above ... you're just not supposed to eat 3-4 hours before bed

Actually this is another dieting myth. You continue burning calories asleep...after all, your body is still working to pump your heart, breath, process food, etc.

The only reason to set a time to stop eating is if you are a binger or boredom eater after a certain time.

Agreed. It totally is a myth. Research has shown in some cases you can burn more calories while sleeping than sitting awake. Though, this doesn't mean just sleep all day. So eat whenever! A calorie is a calorie, no matter what time of the day!

Nana_Booboo

The one rule is, don't eat when you're sleeping.

All other times is fine. :glasses:

sleepytexan

I stop when I'm done with my allotted calories for the day (usually).

It is a silly wives' tale that something bad will happen if you eat too late at night. The only thing to be concerned with is if certain foods may interfere with your sleep.

blessings.

HannahMarieMcDougald

I stop at 8pm

engineman312

I stop at 8pm

what if its been a busy day, and you just didn't have time for dinner, and you finally get home and its 815?