Arguing Over Calories!! Help!

PShep17

Right, I need help of all MFP. Arguing with a friend about what time of day you should eat more calories or whether it matters at all.

Is it better to eat less at night (eg stop eating after a certain time) or is it an overall intake v output when it comes to calorie consumption?

Help me please!!!

BlueMacaroniArt

I think it mostly matters overall. Your body doesn't know what time it is. And you still burn calories while you sleep. But I'm sure you will get both answers.

montana_girl

I think everyone is different, but for me, it doesn't matter when I eat. What matters is how much and what I eat.

I am a night time eater and I eat a majority my calories between 5 and 9 pm and I have been able to maintain my weight loss eating like that.

spigenerb

I personally eat right before I go to bed every night. I don't think it matters at all unless you are already over what you need for the day. My final meal is usually about 300-400 calories. Its the same if I am dieting for summer or trying to gain weight.

Glucocorticoid

The latter. Focusing more calories around your workout may also make a marginal difference.

MissesJai

I think everyone is different, but for me, it doesn't matter when I eat. What matters is how much and what I eat.

I am a night time eater and I eat a majority my calories between 5 and 9 pm and I have been able to maintain my weight loss eating like that.

same here.

cmriverside

Meal timing does not matter.

Lizlicious2187

My dinnertime meals always seem to be more calories than the other meals mainly because I actually have time to sit down and enjoy it. With that being said it hasn't had a negative impact on my weight loss either; I think it's more about what you're eating and making sure it's a balanced meal. And don't forget to drink water!

DavPul

If you eat a large meal very late your body has no chance to burn off any of the calories and there's a much greater chance of them being stored as fat while you're sleeping. I tend to have my heaviest meals earlier in the day and try to have a lighter dinner and snack. When I'm trying to lose weight I try to stop eating by 8pm.

PShep17

Thanks everyone! Appreciate your thoughts

Athijade

If you eat a large meal very late your body has no chance to burn off any of the calories and there's a much greater chance of them being stored as fat while you're sleeping. I tend to have my heaviest meals earlier in the day and try to have a lighter dinner and snack. When I'm trying to lose weight I try to stop eating by 8pm.

False. This is a MYTH!

Meal timing and frequency have NO impact in weight loss! You can eat IN bed if you want and it won't hurt you in any way. Your metabolism does not stop when you go to bed and will continue to burn calories as you sleep.

mes1119

I think it matters over time.

i.e. if you hit your goal for the week you're good, regardless if that was really high one day and really low another.

japruzze

I do t thinkit matters when you eat. How much and what are the key. That beings said, I don't like to eat close to bedtime because I feel yucky lying down with a full stomach.

imthelobster

It doesn't make a difference.

ItsPheebs

I think everyone is different, but for me, it doesn't matter when I eat. What matters is how much and what I eat.

I am a night time eater and I eat a majority my calories between 5 and 9 pm and I have been able to maintain my weight loss eating like that.

This is true for me, too. I eat pretty close to bed time and always have. I've tried it both ways and it doesn't make a difference with me. I find that eating every few hours during the day is best for me (or even every couple), so I never bought into that I had to put my body into starvation mode by not eating for not eating for 10 or 12 hours (from early evening to early morning). Although, eating too much too close to bed time can make you not sleep as well.

Kybelle132

I have heard you should eat a high protein snack before bedtime because it stabilizes your blood sugar through the night till morning...

CyberEd312

Makes absolutely no difference when you eat your calories as long as you get them in..... I go to bed every night with a 600 calorie snack (a glass of Chocolate Milk, 24 Almonds, Kelloggs Crave double chocolate cereal (1 cup dry and eat with the almonds) and have managed to lose a few pounds.... As long as you get in your caloric intake for that day it makes no difference....

slindsey137

I dont think it effects the weight loss so much as it does your sleep. If you eat to close to bed time your body is busy digesting your food and you wont get as much rest.

ItsPheebs

Makes absolutely no difference when you eat your calories as long as you get them in..... I go to bed every night with a 600 calorie snack (a glass of Chocolate Milk, 24 Almonds, Kelloggs Crave double chocolate cereal (1 cup dry and eat with the almonds) and have managed to lose a few pounds.... As long as you get in your caloric intake for that day it makes no difference....

A few! Holy cow. Sorry to briefly hijack, but that is so outstanding. I couldn't eat the sugar though (I'm really sensitive to it). Instead of snoring you'd hear *boink boink boink* as I bounced around the room. (Not that I snore. Girls don't snore.

slindsey137

: (Not that I snore. Girls don't snore.

I love that!!!

wackyfunster

Time of day doesn't matter at all. Time in relation to workout is all that matters.

Fasted cardio is infinitely more effective than non-fasted cardio.

Not eating sufficient carbs/protein after a weight workout will severely impair recovery and results.

ItsPheebs

Fasted cardio is infinitely more effective than non-fasted cardio.

I was just discussing this with someone. Anyone know why that is?

Dagoth

Fasted cardio is infinitely more effective than non-fasted cardio.

I was just discussing this with someone. Anyone know why that is?

Hmm... well because your body uses fat stores instead of food in your stomach.

maryjay51

if you are a beginner in all this, try to just get used to your lifestyle changes ..try to balance out your meals calorie wise . as you learn more about your body as well as learn more about different approaches , you will find what works for you. ive tried every angle out there . what works best for me is six meals a day with the three major meals being more calories than the three smaller ones . you are fueling your body so you need to figure out what works for you best during the day . as long as i have food before and after my workouts im happy.

maryjay51

I have heard you should eat a high protein snack before bedtime because it stabilizes your blood sugar through the night till morning...

i try to have a protein shake of whey and casein before i go to bed.. i was told it keeps your metabolism up through the night while you are sleeping. whether that holds true or not i really dont know..i did lose 80lbs though so i must be doing something right

RonSwanson66

Fasted cardio is infinitely more effective than non-fasted cardio.

No.

It can be moderately better for mobilizing stubborn fat (if you're already very lean), but for the majority of trainees it doesn't make a whit of difference.

http://alanaragon.com/myths-under-the-microscope-part-2-false-hopes-for-fasted-cardio.html

tbetts23

Makes absolutely no difference when you eat your calories as long as you get them in..... I go to bed every night with a 600 calorie snack (a glass of Chocolate Milk, 24 Almonds, Kelloggs Crave double chocolate cereal (1 cup dry and eat with the almonds) and have managed to lose a few pounds.... As long as you get in your caloric intake for that day it makes no difference....

No. 1 you sir are amazing.
No. 2 I have always been a late eater and have still managed to lose some weight. We are all different. I don't like to eat early and always want something later. If I did both....not a good idea. Just my opinion !

Pebble321

There is no "right" answer to this question.
The only thing to do is to try different eating patterns and see what works for you - you want to find a pattern that keeps you satified and full of energy when you need it.
For me, eating a decent sized breakfast stops me feeling hungry later in the day... but other people have a different experience.

wackyfunster

Fasted cardio is infinitely more effective than non-fasted cardio.

No.

It can be moderately better for mobilizing stubborn fat (if you're already very lean), but for the majority of trainees it doesn't make a whit of difference.

http://alanaragon.com/myths-under-the-microscope-part-2-false-hopes-for-fasted-cardio.html

Thanks! Being in the 'very lean' category, I have noticed a substantial difference, but it is good to know that this is not relevant for people with higher body fat levels.

agthorn

Fasted cardio is infinitely more effective than non-fasted cardio.

I was just discussing this with someone. Anyone know why that is?

Hmm... well because your body uses fat stores instead of food in your stomach.

I know there's hormonal effects with regards to insulin and such which come into play when someone is fairly lean and wants to get leaner, but from a caloric standpoint both scenarios end up with the same numeric result:

Burn 400 calories first thing in the AM - must come from body fat stores. Eat 1900 calories the rest of the day, body uses an additional 1770 keeping me alive and going. 130 calories put back into storage, net loss 270 cals.

Eat 1900 cals and then work out, burning 400 cals. Cals come from food - only leaving me 1500 to run on. Since I still need 1770 to keep me going, body takes 270 cals from storage. Net loss is still 270 cals.

wackyfunster

Fasted cardio is infinitely more effective than non-fasted cardio.

No.

It can be moderately better for mobilizing stubborn fat (if you're already very lean), but for the majority of trainees it doesn't make a whit of difference.

http://alanaragon.com/myths-under-the-microscope-part-2-false-hopes-for-fasted-cardio.html

Thanks! Being in the 'very lean' category, I have noticed a substantial difference, but it is good to know that this is not relevant for people with higher body fat levels.

Although the article you posted definitely points to a more complex picture:

Summing Up the Research Findings

• At low intensities (25-50% VO2 max), carbs during exercise reduce fat oxidation compared to fasted trainees.
• At moderate intensities (63-68% VO2 max) carbs during exercise may reduce fat oxidation in untrained subjects, but do not reduce fat oxidation in trained subjects for at least the first 80-120 minutes of exercise.
• Carbohydrate during exercise spares liver glycogen, which is among the most critical factors for anticatabolism during hypocaloric & other conditions of metabolic stress. This protective hepatic effect is absent in fasted cardio.
• At the established intensity level of peak fat oxidation (~63% VO2 max), carbohydrate increases performance without any suppression of fat oxidation in trained subjects.