400 cals left. Should i eat them this late at night?

TwentyTen

My workouts are at night. Many days I will find myself with hundreds left over.
I also expect to sleep late tomorrow.
also I wonder if so many cals this late in the evening is a good idea

Just over 100 of those calories were left over before the exercise. I usually try to get as close as I can, just wondering if it matters if I am taking in mr e calls, when its getting late and I am not really 400 calorie hungry.

Whatcha think?

courtney_love2001

If you're not hungry, don't eat. If you wish, you could drink a glass of milk before bed, might be soothing actually. I never force myself to eat if I'm not hungry, if anything I'll do the milk. Yay for working out and burning cals!

ChrissiJ98

I agree that a glass of milk is very soothing before you go to bed and you shouldn't eat if you're not hungry. If you ARE hungry, go ahead and have a little something. There's been research to show that the time of day that you consume calories does not have any significant impact on whether you store it. Remember it's really just "calories in" minus "calories out" over the long run. Also, if you DO go way under your day's calories, I'd eat a bit extra the next day. Not only does it "trick" your metabolism, I think it's also healthy to average a certain number of calories over the week.

imagymrat

I agree that a glass of milk is very soothing before you go to bed and you shouldn't eat if you're not hungry. If you ARE hungry, go ahead and have a little something. There's been research to show that the time of day that you consume calories does not have any significant impact on whether you store it. Remember it's really just "calories in" minus "calories out" over the long run. Also, if you DO go way under your day's calories, I'd eat a bit extra the next day. Not only does it "trick" your metabolism, I think it's also healthy to average a certain number of calories over the week.

I totally agree...I got 846 left over today...but i'm not feeling well, not hungry and not going to worry about eating them.

firegirlred

Jane-
There are two prevailing schools of thought on your question. The first and most prominent right now is that you shouldn't eat late a night. The thought behind this is that any calories not burned are stored as fat. People think that if you are sleeping, you don't burn as many calories. (There's an interesting study out right now that says that sleeping burns more calories than sitting on the couch watching TV). Typically, you see late night snacking elevate someone's daily calorie count over what they will burn. Most late night snacking is akin to "binging." That is why many people say it is a bad idea.

The other school of thought is that if you are within your calorie limit for the day, eating this late is not bad, in fact it makes sense to try and maintain the body's glucose levels. Waking up is easier because your glucose levels have not dropped to levels that make you exhausted. Eating around the clock keeps your metabolism fired up, and helps to keep burning calories.

The key to eating late is staying within your "calorie budget." Many people who have successfully lost weight don't worry about when they eat (frequent small meals), just that they eat and eat right. Eating this late is actually good for you if you can keep from binging.

Energy in must be less than energy out in order to lose weight-no matter what time that energy goes in. Your body won't store it as fat if you are in a deficit.

If you aren't 400 calorie hungry, eat most of your exercise calories in nuts, avocado or other healthy calorie dense food.

fooja

lol, im over 380 cals, maybe u can give me ur cals and we can call it even!!!

whyflysouth

I'm in the same boat as you, just got back from the gym, took down a protein shake and milk, and I've still got 999 calories left! I'll have some almonds but there's no way I can make a big dent in that number after downing that shake.

TwentyTen

Well thanks for all your input!

I am not a binger so that is not a concern. I just ate 70 back in a little dark chocolate square, and .. i am out of milk. i am thinking a little peanut butter if the tummy talks to me. Since I am down 1.5 lbs this week, I just want to do it right, so I can keep the trend going. Weekends i have a harder time getting the calories in, since I sleep later, I often skip a meal. Anyway.. a little protein, and I should be good I think.

coronalime

Jane-
There are two prevailing schools of thought on your question. The first and most prominent right now is that you shouldn't eat late a night. The thought behind this is that any calories not burned are stored as fat. People think that if you are sleeping, you don't burn as many calories. (There's an interesting study out right now that says that sleeping burns more calories than sitting on the couch watching TV). Typically, you see late night snacking elevate someone's daily calorie count over what they will burn. Most late night snacking is akin to "binging." That is why many people say it is a bad idea.

The other school of thought is that if you are within your calorie limit for the day, eating this late is not bad, in fact it makes sense to try and maintain the body's glucose levels. Waking up is easier because your glucose levels have not dropped to levels that make you exhausted. Eating around the clock keeps your metabolism fired up, and helps to keep burning calories.

The key to eating late is staying within your "calorie budget." Many people who have successfully lost weight don't worry about when they eat (frequent small meals), just that they eat and eat right. Eating this late is actually good for you if you can keep from binging.

Energy in must be less than energy out in order to lose weight-no matter what time that energy goes in. Your body won't store it as fat if you are in a deficit.

If you aren't 400 calorie hungry, eat most of your exercise calories in nuts, avocado or other healthy calorie dense food.

There is an article about the whole "late night eating" in Runners World this month. They say the same thing. Calories in for the day are calories in no matter when you eat them as far as weight gain. But eating at night can lead to acid reflux or sleeping badly for some.
My thing is just because MFP says I have an extra so many calories does not mean I have to eat them. Not everything is accurate and work out calories are not accurate so..if its time for bed and your not hungry dont eat

Fieldsy

Eating foods high in protein/healthy fats are beneficial for you around bed time....especially if you workout

They help repair and restore your muscles while you are resting.