Too few calories. Late night dilemma.

jenthestrawberry
jenthestrawberry Posts: 93 Member
edited September 22 in Food and Nutrition
When I got home tonight at almost 10 PM I realized that I was WAY under my calories for the day. Tonight I'm just going to go to bed without eating again, but do any of you have suggestions on what to do if this happens again? I understand that the best course of action would be to do a better job budgeting calories for the day, but not always possible.

Which is worse: risking "starvation" mode from a low day or eating late night calories that won't be burned? Would love your feedback or the way you'd handle it!

Replies

  • catcrazy
    catcrazy Posts: 1,740 Member
    Apparently it makes NO DIFFERENCE when your calories are consumed, if you have burned more than what is going in you will still lose weight, I think the main problem is when you start eating "normally" again that you're likely to come unstuck.

    That said everyone has heard or has their own theories and people are pretty hard to change the minds of (myself included) Personally I don't like eating a large meal at night (because of what i've heard) and also because I find I just don't sleep well. I think if you are way under calories late at night and you are feeling hungry then eat something easily digestible while staying under calories. It probably is better if you eat little and often, it will help you maintain when you finish your diet.
  • robin52077
    robin52077 Posts: 4,383 Member
    Starvation mode takes an extended period of time at very low calories. One day of not eating enough does not put you at risk for anything except being lethargic and perhaps extra hungry at breakfast time!
    Just don't make a habit of it. It's even ok if you go a little over on another day this week, or if you HAVE gone over in the last few days, this makes up for it.
    I don't like to stuff myself before bed because I end up with heartburn, gas, acid reflux, weird dreams, ect. But if you must add more calories late in the day go for a piece of healthy multigrain bread/toast with peanut butter. An easy 300 calories that won't make you feel like crap all night.
  • joleanrook
    joleanrook Posts: 117
    The truth about starvation mode!

    http://www.healthscience.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=512:are-you-in-the-starvation-mode-or-starving-for-truth&catid=102:jeff-novicks-blog&Itemid=267
  • xXmimiXx
    xXmimiXx Posts: 564 Member
    Yeh I read in Women's Fitness that the whole eating after 7pm being bad for you was a total myth!
  • tymberwolf
    tymberwolf Posts: 16
    I second the bread with peanut butter suggestion. It doesn't make any difference what time you eat.

    Or if you don't want to eat anything, a glass of milk is awesome...helps fill you up, and good for you!

    Jenn
  • Minoesh
    Minoesh Posts: 105 Member
    The truth about starvation mode!

    http://www.healthscience.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=512:are-you-in-the-starvation-mode-or-starving-for-truth&catid=102:jeff-novicks-blog&Itemid=267

    Thank you for this comment, it's really good to see a different opinion on this theory :-)
  • lilyinlove
    lilyinlove Posts: 441 Member
    The truth about starvation mode!

    http://www.healthscience.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=512:are-you-in-the-starvation-mode-or-starving-for-truth&catid=102:jeff-novicks-blog&Itemid=267



    Aha....very interesting....thanks for that.
  • brockly25
    brockly25 Posts: 150
    i was the same and what i did is have a big breakfast .... 700 to 900 cal if you can do that ( i can lol ) bring snack to work or set them out on the kitchen table ... your going to see them and eat them MUhahaha !!!! lol if you are on the go power bar is 200 cal give are take .... never try to feel hungry ... have a apple or bannana or somethng good for your body :)
  • jenthestrawberry
    jenthestrawberry Posts: 93 Member
    Thanks for all the feedback. I'm an information addict and found a number of articles on eating at night from a quick google search! You guys are amazing! (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3263249.stm) My *doctor* was the one who first told me eating at night was incredibly horrible! I'm glad to know the truth about that.

    Also regarding starvation mode that article has a good point. The thing that I worry about is not "not losing weight" because I ate too little, but having my body store calories as fat the next time I eat. I'm no doctor, though. And I'm pretty sure that even the medical community has a lot to learn about how the body works!

    Thanks for all the feedback. I guess the takeaway is, if I feel really hungry I'll have a snack. If not, I won't worry about being under!
  • stellamari
    stellamari Posts: 1
    Eating a tiny bit at night is fine from what I've read. A glass of milk or something like these 50 cal jerky strips would probably be the way to go. These jerky strips have been coming with my Bistro MD plan and they're SO nummy: http://www.igourmet.com/shoppe/prodview.aspx?prod=A723&src=froogle

    Also, small serving of fruit with small serving of lean protein would be good. Maybe try to keep it at or under 100 cal and you won't have anything to worry about.
  • fitbot
    fitbot Posts: 406
    UMMM OF COURSE eating late at night matters. don't do it.
    have a more substantial breakfast the next day but do not eat super late / right before going to bed. it is counterproductive.
    If work finishes super late, just bring an apple of pita with peanut butter to have as a quick snack while at work- if possible.
  • joleanrook
    joleanrook Posts: 117
    You're welcome, I love that article - there are others too, because so many people refer to the "starvation mode" theory like it's the gospel truth and it just isn't! If that's how our bodies worked then people in work camps or concentration camps would have hit a point where they quit losing weight and that's just not the case. It's simple science... eat more calories than you burn = gain weight. Burn more calories than you eat = lose weight. You will have plateaus along the way but that is just your metabolism catching up to what you are doing - not slowing down to conserve.

    And Jen, as a medical professional myself, you are absolutely right that the medical community has a lot to learn about how the body works. My friend (whose a doctor) always says jokingly "When all else fails just trust the patient"... WE know our bodies better than anyone. And as a former weight loss counselor I will tell you this, if you are hungry - eat. Just be smart about WHAT you eat and stop the moment your full.

    By the way congrats on your 15 # loss!!
  • jenthestrawberry
    jenthestrawberry Posts: 93 Member
    @Stellamarie ! Those look tasty! I might order some and no gluten: so a bonus!

    @Joleanrook, thanks again. I really appreciate hearing all sides of the "truth", so I can make my own choices!
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