Getting calories vs. late night

corcor90
corcor90 Posts: 10
in Health and Weight Loss
Hello, just looking for some general tips. Height is 6'3 and weight is 195. MFP says I should be eating 2100 calories to lose a pound a week. I can usually get to about 1500-1600 comfortably by the end of dinner time (generally 5-6 at night). Is it healthier for me to try to force those 500ish calories later at night (when I won't be exercising) or call it quits and settle for 1600ish per day. I don't want my body to think it's starving. Any help would be appreciated.

Replies

  • mgobluetx12
    mgobluetx12 Posts: 1,326 Member
    I would love to hear some input from successful losers on this topic because I'm having exactly the same problem!
  • Culley34
    Culley34 Posts: 224
    I'm a big proponent of not eating late at night (or within 3 hours of going to bed).

    The problem is that calories (i.e., carbs / sugar) which go unused, turn to fat -- which tends to contradict a strict calories in / calories out model. Try to add in a Greek yogurt, a handful of nuts, or maybe some milk throughout the day to up your calories in a healthy way.
  • geekyjock76
    geekyjock76 Posts: 2,720 Member
    Whatever calorie goal you need to reach, do your best to hit close to it. And do not be concerned with eating late as it does not affect body composition. Furthermore, think of it from a weekly, not daily perspective. If you fall short one day, then you can just make up the difference - if you wish - the next day.
  • CyberEd312
    CyberEd312 Posts: 3,536 Member
    There is no cut off point of when you need to stop eating. The only peole that would need to worry about this is those with acid reflux or have a problem with eating close to bedtime time that being said your main goal everyday should be to hit your Macro's and your Daily Caloric intake.... I have lost 311 lbs. taking a 600 calorie snack to bed every night.... Best of Luck....
  • Pebble321
    Pebble321 Posts: 6,423 Member
    I suggest that you start looking at your meals earlier in the day and add a few extra cals in there. That way you won't feel like you are "forcing" yourself to eat at the end of the day just to reach a healthy amount of energy.

    Not that there is anything wrong with eating late in the day, but that doesn't sounds like a very rational way to plan your meals or to eat.
  • emzmc
    emzmc Posts: 85 Member
    There is now cut off point of when you need to stop eating. The only peole that would need to worry about this is those with acid reflux or have a problem with eating close to bedtime time that being said your main goal everyday should be to hit your Macro's and your Daily Caloric intake.... I have lost 311 lbs. taking a 600 calorie snack to bed every night.... Best of Luck....

    This x a million
  • LaurenLite
    LaurenLite Posts: 87
    I tend to take in 1/2 of my calories after dinner. It's funny, my metabolism just seems to start slow (breakfast is usually my lowest cal meal) and build up as the day goes on. If I eat a big breakfast, I feel so sluggish and exhausted. I snack throughout the day with most of my snackage happening between 8-midnight (cereal with unsweetened flaxmilk, small chicken wraps, salads, veggies, fruits, dry cereal, maybe a 1/8-1/4 cup of froyo in there).
  • corcor90
    corcor90 Posts: 10
    Thanks so much for the responses. Guess I'll be having some late night snacks the next few days and see what happens =)
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,331 Member
    I often eat until just before I head to bed. Unless you have problems with acid reflux which would be aggravated by eating too close to bed time due to lying down with a full stomach there is no reason not to eat later in the day as long as you stay within your calories.
  • Danam48
    Danam48 Posts: 129 Member
    I tend to eat more of my calories later in the day than earlier. I am terrible about eating breakfast, and on the days that I do, I notice that I run out of calories at the end of the day and I go to bed hungry. I have always been a late night grazer and while I have gotten much more mindful of it, I still like to snack at night. So, instead of snacking at night with no calories left and going over,, I have decided to save more of my calories later in the day. So far it's working fine for me and I stay within my allowance. Lost 2 more pounds in the last 10 days... Woot!
  • IronSmasher
    IronSmasher Posts: 3,908 Member
    Some good advice here, except for that one involving magic.
  • repertoire
    repertoire Posts: 53 Member
    My trainer has talked to me a lot about this. Basically, in her opinion...you try to eat enough calories most days. You want to have energy! But if once or twice a week you are under...but you are still feeling satisfied, not to worry about it. Shoving food into your mouth to hit a number isn't necessary. You won't go into 'starvation' mode from a low day here and there. Good luck!
  • Gramps251
    Gramps251 Posts: 738 Member
    I have never seen a scientific study that claimed when you eat has anything to do with how much you gain or loose weight but have seen many that claim it has no effect.
  • stefanieanne14
    stefanieanne14 Posts: 119 Member
    I planned to ask this type of question today actually. I am totally a late night eater and wonder if it hinders my weight loss at all. I know it's basically calories in vs. calories out. I am pretty confident that I am eating at a deficit of around 500 cal/day because I use a bodybugg, but I'm not losing (it's been about 4 months with no significant changes). So, if anyone has any proof/studies that they've found sharing whether it matters when you eat, please share! I'll look online as well but honestly, I'm at work so it would be easier if you all did it for me :happy:

    I am generally of the mind set that you don't want to force yourself to eat if you're not hungry. Do you feel like you are shorting yourself during the day? Maybe you could tack on a 100 cal to your breakfast and lunch to get you closer to your daily intake?
  • eviegreen
    eviegreen Posts: 123 Member
    From what I've read, it's a myth that your body will turn late night food into fat. The problem is that people who tend to snack at night reach for the unhealthy foods -- ice cream, chips, candy, etc -- which, of course, causes weight gain and continues to perpetuate the myth. As long as what you're eating at night is healthy, your weight shouldn't be affected.

    Though if anyone here has acid reflux, definitely stick to eating before 4 hours prior to sleep. I have acid reflux and can't eat anything before bed, or I'll be awake most of the night.
  • zaph0d
    zaph0d Posts: 1,172 Member
    Meal timing doesn't matter. You can eat late at night and it won't affect your weight goals. It's good to learn this early on.
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    eat them, time of day is irrelevant, if you are in a deficit you will lose weight.
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    From what I've read, it's a myth that your body will turn late night food into fat. The problem is that people who tend to snack at night reach for the unhealthy foods -- ice cream, chips, candy, etc -- which, of course, causes weight gain and continues to perpetuate the myth. As long as what you're eating at night is healthy, your weight shouldn't be affected.

    This may be true if you were in a caloric surplus for the day, but if you are eating at a deficit then no fat will be stored as you have a negative energy balance for the day.
  • escloflowneCHANGED
    escloflowneCHANGED Posts: 3,038 Member
    I would say eat back as much as you can, I've found recently that if I don't eat at least 2000-2400 calories a day, I can't lose my 2lbs a week. If I go to low, I don't lose any weight at all. Eating at night will not do anything to weight loss, I eat 10-20 minutes before bed everyday.
  • jillybeanruns
    jillybeanruns Posts: 1,420 Member
    I'm a big proponent of not eating late at night (or within 3 hours of going to bed).

    The problem is that calories (i.e., carbs / sugar) which go unused, turn to fat -- which tends to contradict a strict calories in / calories out model. Try to add in a Greek yogurt, a handful of nuts, or maybe some milk throughout the day to up your calories in a healthy way.

    This.is.pure.nonsense.

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