More evidence for Not Eating Late

Krizzle4Rizzle

meh. I eat late (and carbs at that, GASP!) and I'm the leanest I've been in years... And I don't eat right when I wake up either!! I'm such a rule breaker. :drinker:

You rebel. :devil:

TR0berts

Not being able to read the full study sucks. But, then again, if this is true, it doesn't matter: Participants (49.5% female subjects; age (mean±s.d.): 42±11 years; BMI: 31.4±5.4 kg m−2)

What, exactly, was the energy expenditure? Sitting on the couch all day? Working out? And the write-up at NPR states that things were "roughly" and "similar"ly the same. Define "roughly" and "similar." If the early eaters ate 1375 Cals/day, and the late eaters ate 1425 Cals/day - which both are "roughly" 1400 Cals, then no kidding, the early eaters will likely end up weighing less. And what types of controls did they use? Did they weigh the participants at the same times - and preferably at multiple times, to account for mass of food in the system? Was there a significant difference in sodium intake between the two groups? Again, the study uses the word "similar" for dietary composition. And with an age group spanning 23 years (31-53yo), you're not likely to really glean much useful information anyway, unless there is the same percentage of each age in both groups.

In short - unless the diets and energy expenditure was the same - not "similar" or "roughly" the same, this study is all but worthless. I really wish I had access to the full study, but I'm not a member and don't feel like doling out $32.

LoraF83

I expect it is different for different people. I lose weight much more easily if I eat my biggest meal earlier in the day. It's challenging, though, because of social and family obligations that revolve around dinner.


"Every time the meal timing question comes up, I have to ask: what if you're eating dinner on a plane and you cross time zones? Or what about daylight savings time? If I have to stop eating at 6PM, does that get pushed back to 7PM when we spring forward? "

Most likely it isn't the exact time that matters so much as the number of hours between your last meal and when you go to bed.

Why do you feel that the "number of hours between your last meal and when you go to bed" matters?

Duck_Puddle

Not being able to read the full study sucks. But, then again, if this is true, it doesn't matter: Participants (49.5% female subjects; age (mean±s.d.): 42±11 years; BMI: 31.4±5.4 kg m−2)

What, exactly, was the energy expenditure? Sitting on the couch all day? Working out? And the write-up at NPR states that things were "roughly" and "similar"ly the same. Define "roughly" and "similar." If the early eaters ate 1375 Cals/day, and the late eaters ate 1425 Cals/day - which both are "roughly" 1400 Cals, then no kidding, the early eaters will likely end up weighing less. And what types of controls did they use? Did they weigh the participants at the same times - and preferably at multiple times, to account for mass of food in the system? Was there a significant difference in sodium intake between the two groups? Again, the study uses the word "similar" for dietary composition. And with an age group spanning 23 years (31-53yo), you're not likely to really glean much useful information anyway, unless there is the same percentage of each age in both groups.

In short - unless the diets and energy expenditure was the same - not "similar" or "roughly" the same, this study is all but worthless. I really wish I had access to the full study, but I'm not a member and don't feel like doling out $32.

Exactly. I'd like to see some p values >.05 for caloric intake & energy expenditure before I place any stock in this. And I'm not paying $32 just to see that data (assuming it's in an appendix) when that particular data comparison was the only one listed without a p-value (even the one that wasn't statistically significant).

escloflowneCHANGED

<---- Eats right before bed every night! 91 lbs...

sleepytexan

Ya, well, I eat late every night. Never ever before 8 pm; in fact last night I was eating Mexican food at 11 pm after dancing 2 hours of Argentine Tango, so there.

The entire continent of Europe eats dinner around 9 pm, and they're not near as fat as Americans, so . . .

Onesnap

Yes, eating late has just made me into a tub of lard.

Yeah, you look HUGE

Onesnap

Ya, well, I eat late every night. Never ever before 8 pm; in fact last night I was eating Mexican food at 11 pm after dancing 2 hours of Argentine Tango, so there.

The entire continent of Europe eats dinner around 9 pm, and they're not near as fat as Americans, so . . .

Yep, that's what I said in my post.

MissJanet55

I expect it is different for different people. I lose weight much more easily if I eat my biggest meal earlier in the day. It's challenging, though, because of social and family obligations that revolve around dinner.


"Every time the meal timing question comes up, I have to ask: what if you're eating dinner on a plane and you cross time zones? Or what about daylight savings time? If I have to stop eating at 6PM, does that get pushed back to 7PM when we spring forward? "

Most likely it isn't the exact time that matters so much as the number of hours between your last meal and when you go to bed.

Why do you feel that the "number of hours between your last meal and when you go to bed" matters?

I was responding to the poster who asked about the exact time to stop eating, and having a temporary struggle with the quote function. I was surmising (like all of us here who haven't carried out a study). It makes no sense to me that there is an actual time, ie 6 pm of whatever. It makes much more sense to measure the time in terms of hours since the last meal. But as I said, surmising.

Colleen118

I think the ultimate point isn't necessarily the time of the last meal per-se as it is a general message about eating too much before calling it a day... growing up the general rule was not to eat less than 3 hours before you go to bed. I try to stick to that rule of thumb, but I take my synthroid at night rather than morning and I have to stope eating at least 2 hours before taking it....

The time between when you last eat and when you go to sleep has an effect on both digestion and quality of sleep in many people. Too heavy of a meal can cause indegestion interupting quality of sleep, also a heavy stomach, digestion slows when you are sleeping, like most other functions your body performs....

LoraF83

I expect it is different for different people. I lose weight much more easily if I eat my biggest meal earlier in the day. It's challenging, though, because of social and family obligations that revolve around dinner.


"Every time the meal timing question comes up, I have to ask: what if you're eating dinner on a plane and you cross time zones? Or what about daylight savings time? If I have to stop eating at 6PM, does that get pushed back to 7PM when we spring forward? "

Most likely it isn't the exact time that matters so much as the number of hours between your last meal and when you go to bed.

Why do you feel that the "number of hours between your last meal and when you go to bed" matters?

I was responding to the poster who asked about the exact time to stop eating, and having a temporary struggle with the quote function. I was surmising (like all of us here who haven't carried out a study). It makes no sense to me that there is an actual time, ie 6 pm of whatever. It makes much more sense to measure the time in terms of hours since the last meal. But as I said, surmising.

So you are surmising that it matters that you have a window of time between your last meal and the time you go to bed?

MissJanet55

I expect it is different for different people. I lose weight much more easily if I eat my biggest meal earlier in the day. It's challenging, though, because of social and family obligations that revolve around dinner.


"Every time the meal timing question comes up, I have to ask: what if you're eating dinner on a plane and you cross time zones? Or what about daylight savings time? If I have to stop eating at 6PM, does that get pushed back to 7PM when we spring forward? "

Most likely it isn't the exact time that matters so much as the number of hours between your last meal and when you go to bed.

Why do you feel that the "number of hours between your last meal and when you go to bed" matters?

I was responding to the poster who asked about the exact time to stop eating, and having a temporary struggle with the quote function. I was surmising (like all of us here who haven't carried out a study). It makes no sense to me that there is an actual time, ie 6 pm of whatever. It makes much more sense to measure the time in terms of hours since the last meal. But as I said, surmising.

So you are surmising that it matters that you have a window of time between your last meal and the time you go to bed?

For me, it makes a difference. I don't know about anyone else, although the study would indicate that I'm not the only one. I find it very hard to sustain, though, unless I'm away from my normal life and routine.

Now that I think about it, it might also have to do with darkness and circadian rhythms. Who knows?

nickiog

i skip breakfast most days specifically so i can eat candy and cookies in bed, at 11 , and come in under goal. ive lost more than 70lbs.

just sayin.

merzback

I'd rather lose 17lbs and NOT be starving than 22 and be miserable and have my stomach growling all ngiht- period!

mag2906

I'm 36 years old. For first 25 years of my life I lived in Europe (sadly not Spain lol) and ate my main meal before 3 PM.
Guess what? I struggled to lose weight because - no matter how much I eat during the day - I'm always hungry in the evening!
I've lost 45 pounds eating dinner after 6 PM (while living in Canada).

Let me add that I'm a night person and have to force myself to go to bed by 11PM so there is at least 4 hours gap (not intentional) between my dinner and going to bed.

Fit_Vixen1

From the study linked in the story.

Surprisingly, energy intake, dietary composition, estimated energy expenditure, appetite hormones and sleep duration was similar between both groups. Nevertheless,

The bold part could be one of the reasons for the 5lb variance in 20 weeks.

I like your ticker!!!! Hodgetwin fan?!

mag2906

Every time the meal timing question comes up, I have to ask: what if you're eating dinner on a plane and you cross time zones? Or what about daylight savings time? If I have to stop eating at 6PM, does that get pushed back to 7PM when we spring forward?

So far, I have yet to receive a satisfactory answer, which tells me that meal timing doesn't matter much.

That's called over analyzing the process
I don't think it really matters when you eat. Just do what works for you and lets you stay as fit and as healthy as possible.

samlankford

I try to stick to a "lean and green" for dinner (pretty much vegetables and protein) then have some sugar free jello later on at night... I find that I sleep better.. :bigsmile: play around with different things, see what you and your body like the best... it is different for everyone

drchimpanzee

Every time the meal timing question comes up, I have to ask: what if you're eating dinner on a plane and you cross time zones? Or what about daylight savings time? If I have to stop eating at 6PM, does that get pushed back to 7PM when we spring forward?

So far, I have yet to receive a satisfactory answer, which tells me that meal timing doesn't matter much.

I feel like I'm watching Gremlins all over again. I always wondered that as a kid. If you can't feed Gizmo after midnight then when does the clock reset? 1pm the next day is still after midnight.

Synapze

I'd rather lose 17lbs and NOT be starving than 22 and be miserable and have my stomach growling all ngiht- period!

Exactly. And having done this in the past only to give up, i now know (for me) this doesn't work.

People on here must look at my diary in disgust. No Breki and eat late.

I dont know how i live with myself.

strikerjb007

Nothing shocking about this. And for 5 lbs., I rather stick to a schedule that works for me. Having said that, I eat most of my food by 4p. That's because of my schedule. I am also single and live alone so dinner is not necessary. My body is used to that.

Phrakman

A study founded on obese people recalling their dietary intake and energy expenditure is not a study id take seriously.

ldrosophila

I didnt read the article cuz I'm lazy but think you all need my 2 cents for some reason. I think with most obese people the throw on a late night binge because they are relaxed, usually alone, and they are hungry so they eat and eat a lot. Then you wake up the next day and guess what you arent hungry for breakfast or lunch so it sets you up again for late night eating.

iplayoutside19

I file this under: "It MAY make a difference, but if it does, it's not significant enough for me to care about".

tressieazbill

More people snack and vegg in front of the tv at night. So they are less active and burn less calories. Also they tend to eat more calories then people who stop eating after dinner. I stop eating after 6:30 if i am really hungry i have lemon water or cucumbers with vinager. I am doing really well with weightloss and im sure this has helped.

blancafh

I'm from Spain and living in the UK now and I can't for the life of me eat at 6 or 7pm like most people do here. And I never eat dinner before 9pm and I'm still losing weight consistently so I still don't believe in this. If I'd eat at 6-7pm I would be so hungry by midnight that it it would be quite easy to end up snacking too much.
We usually have a snack around 11am, then we have lunch around 2-3pm, another snack around 6pm and dinner at 9-10pm. I just think is quite sensitive, instead of having a big time gap between dinner and bed time you get to eat every 3 hours or so, so you don't risk overeating.

CM9178

the ony way this study could even be close to valid, would be if both groups ate the same exact food every single day as each other, except at different times - and had the exact same energy expenditure every day as each other.
and even then, it isn't really that accurate, because everybody's body is different. Really, unless you could clone yourself and test it out, you don't know what is "better" and that again, would only be for YOU and not everybody in the world.

CM9178

I'm from Spain and living in the UK now and I can't for the life of me eat at 6 or 7pm like most people do here. And I never eat dinner before 9pm and I'm still losing weight consistently so I still don't believe in this. If I'd eat at 6-7pm I would be so hungry by midnight that it it would be quite easy to end up snacking too much.
We usually have a snack around 11am, then we have lunch around 2-3pm, another snack around 6pm and dinner at 9-10pm. I just think is quite sensitive, instead of having a big time gap between dinner and bed time you get to eat every 3 hours or so, so you don't risk overeating.

Yes, but this all depends on what time you go to bed. If you eat a large dinner at 9 and go to bed at midnight, you are eating 3 hrs before bedtime. If someone eats a large dinner at 6pm and goes to bed at 9pm, it is the same thing. the times aren't the issue - it is the time between your largest meal and bedtime. Are you eating dinner as your largest meal?

EmilyOfTheSun

I eat the majority of my calories in the evening. I'm doing just dandy.

alanlmarshall

They should do a study to see which group kept the most wieght off. Better to lose 17 pounds permanently than 22 pounds temporarily.