What to eat when I'm forced to have a late dinner??

skydivelife

If you go home and eat cake, you will gain fat...the carb thing is not a myth

You will gain fat eating cake at night, even at a calorie deficit? :noway:

It depends on the person and how often. Most people in their 20-something's and early 30s will not. However, many people in their mid-30s and beyond begin having issues with their glut4 receptors, insulin transports and production, protein issues, lipase issues.

My statement may have been aunnecessary blanket (sorry) :-) but my point is, calories in vs. calories out tends to work for people whose metabolisms (thousands of molecular reactions), even though it may not be the exact solution.

However, if you understand the physiology, there's a LOT that can go wrong.

I know this idea is abstract if calories in vs. out worked for you but think about anyone you know who is diabetic, has gone through menopause or is on steroids or anti-depressants. Most of these people gain weight without either changing the type and timing of their food or taking another drug to counteract. That's the whole idea behind whey protein supplement, 7-keto, multivitamins, etc.


Thanks for the thoughts :-) I LOVE this stuff"

Wellfitlife.me

So for the average person who is not diabetic, has gone through menopause or is on steroids or anti-depressants.... eating cake at night, at a calorie deficit will not cause weight gain.

You sure are stuck on that cake thing, huh? Maybe you better hop off the computer for a bit and make a quick trip to a grocery store ;-)

chrisdavey

or replace cake with some low gi oats or how about some fruit? Wouldn't want too much fructose!

LorinaLynn

I learned from Pulp Fiction that any time is the right time for pie. But there was no mention of cake.

gregpack

For the record, I'm 46 and typically eat half my daily allotment of calories between supper and bedtime. I lost weight a a pretty good clip doing this last year, so I'm leaning towards the 'a deficit is a deficit "camp based on my personal experience.

Question: How does BMR fit into this equation? We talk about storage of unused energy as fat, but if my stats are correct I burn right at 100 calories per hour while asleep. If I eat an 800 calorie meal before bedtime and burn 800 calories during sleep the next eight hours how have I netted any fat? Also, are we assuming we are eating that bedtime meal with no excess glycogen storage capacity at mealtime? What if I've just worked out prior to my meal?

mystic_elegance

Eating late makes you gain weight is an myth, not true in the least bit. Eat as you normally would, so long as is fits calorie wise into your day then there shouldnt be any problems.

wbgolden

Dinner.

or food. whichever is most handy.

Chameleone

Calories don't know what time it is. As long as you stay within your calories I'd say eat whatever won't give you a tummy ache or acid reflux (since you'll be laying down that's pretty bad for you)...
But I've heard the reason they say not to eat late is because that's usually when people mindlessly snack on extra calories...

Hezzietiger1

Since after work I go straight to the gym, by the time I get back home It's around 9pm at night and I haven't eaten dinner yet! Usually I just eat yogurt and call it a night but my stomach usually hurts while I fall asleep because of this. Any suggestions on what I should eat??

Some of these answers are silly-The Carb thing is not a myth and it does matter what you eat, here's why

Serotonin and GABA are two of your primary neuroreceptors in your brain that affect mood, sleepiness, awake-ness, etc. Serotonin can be elevated by eating carbohydrate (i.e. late at night). When you eat the carb, insulin pops out of your pancreas and cleans your blood of a bunch of amino acids except for the TURKEY amino! (j/k, I mean tryptophan). Tryptophan hits the brain, turns in to serotonin and you get calm, satisfied, etc. it's part of the reason some people drink milk pre-bed (tryptophan).

NOW. between 11 pm and 1 am, your body clicks in to (CAUTION, CLICHE TERM AHEAD!!) "detoxify" your body. Your parasympathetic nervous system (the one that controls your organs, heart, digestion, etc) kicks in to high gear and nutrients start moving where they should.

If you go home and eat cake, you will gain fat...the carb thing is not a myth

some protein and carb will refuel you and put you to sleep.


WHAT SHOULD YOU EAT

Eat some protein for aminos for your muscles and some carb within 1/2 hourish of being done with your workout. make your meal relatively small and have COMPLEX CARBS like long-grain brown rice or some veggies. Sip down some lemon or lime juice in water to slow the glycemic index and you'll be all set and even add a little growth-hormone boost

check this out if you need more!

wellfitlife.me

^^ Smart man^^

MarincicS

Soo . . . this is all cleared up for you now, right?

:happy:

acs4162

I have experience in this area. If I'm trying to "lose" weight I eat just enough to not be hungry, but definitely not too much so I feel "full". Usually that's a handful of nuts and milk or almond milk OR half of a grilled chicken breast and green beans/broccoli/steamed green veggie OR any protein and veggie OR a banana and some nuts. There were times when I was really out of shape and trying to lose weight, I just drank some milk and went to bed or ate a small serving of protein and went to bed. If I'm not trying to lose weight then I eat a small dinner the same as above with maybe a small serving of carbs, in addition to the protein and veggies.

This is just my experience.

I CAN'T go to bed after eating a big meal. I have bad dreams, I wake up in the middle of the night, and I feel a little off in the morning when I get up. I just sleep better having not eaten within 2 hours of bedtime.

I've heard:
eat protein after you workout
eat carbs after you work out
don't eat sugar (even fruit or milk) late at night
don't eat within 3 hours of bedtime
eat carbs and protein after you work out

WHATEVER! Eat what works for you! Try something different each night for a week and see what you're happiest with! Just listen to what your body tells you!

Good luck!

Cait_Sidhe

Since after work I go straight to the gym, by the time I get back home It's around 9pm at night and I haven't eaten dinner yet! Usually I just eat yogurt and call it a night but my stomach usually hurts while I fall asleep because of this. Any suggestions on what I should eat??

Some of these answers are silly-The Carb thing is not a myth and it does matter what you eat, here's why

Serotonin and GABA are two of your primary neuroreceptors in your brain that affect mood, sleepiness, awake-ness, etc. Serotonin can be elevated by eating carbohydrate (i.e. late at night). When you eat the carb, insulin pops out of your pancreas and cleans your blood of a bunch of amino acids except for the TURKEY amino! (j/k, I mean tryptophan). Tryptophan hits the brain, turns in to serotonin and you get calm, satisfied, etc. it's part of the reason some people drink milk pre-bed (tryptophan).

NOW. between 11 pm and 1 am, your body clicks in to (CAUTION, CLICHE TERM AHEAD!!) "detoxify" your body. Your parasympathetic nervous system (the one that controls your organs, heart, digestion, etc) kicks in to high gear and nutrients start moving where they should.

If you go home and eat cake, you will gain fat...the carb thing is not a myth

some protein and carb will refuel you and put you to sleep.


WHAT SHOULD YOU EAT

Eat some protein for aminos for your muscles and some carb within 1/2 hourish of being done with your workout. make your meal relatively small and have COMPLEX CARBS like long-grain brown rice or some veggies. Sip down some lemon or lime juice in water to slow the glycemic index and you'll be all set and even add a little growth-hormone boost

check this out if you need more!

wellfitlife.me

The 11pm-1am thing happens even when I work overnights? Somehow I doubt that. It doesn't matter what you eat or what time you eat. Just make sure it fits into your calories and you're fine.

dvisser1

Since after work I go straight to the gym, by the time I get back home It's around 9pm at night and I haven't eaten dinner yet! Usually I just eat yogurt and call it a night but my stomach usually hurts while I fall asleep because of this. Any suggestions on what I should eat??

I am making dinner after 8pm and eating near 9pm on a regular basis, but I also don't normally go to bed until near midnight. A normal, balanced dinner that fits in my calorie plan is all I do, and it's working. I would guess your body is craving a bit more than some yogurt. Have a small dinner and see how you feel. No matter what anyone else says here, only you know your body. Keep listening to it and try different healthy options until your body is happy.

taso42

You sure are stuck on that cake thing, huh? Maybe you better hop off the computer for a bit and make a quick trip to a grocery store ;-)

Went for a banana muffin. The neighbor made them. It would be rude not to eat them

WifeNMama

Turducken.


How about a loaded sandwich and raw fruit and veg sticks? Or do a crock pot stew or meatballs, and make a quick pot of rice to go with it when you get back. Or prep everything you need for chili, spaghetti and meat sauce, corn chowder, and just cook it through when you need it. Or make giant batches of three different meals, portion them out into individual glass storage containers, freeze them, and you can cycle through them so you're not eating the same dish five meals in a row.