Is eating a big/late dinner hurting my weight loss?

I tend to eat a lot of my calories at night time, and I've seen quite a lot of people do it
I don't know if it has affected me, because I have always done it so have nothing to compare it to


If you find it easier to stick to, carry on

No. I have my main meal between 9 and 10 pm. Timing has no relevance.

No. Nutrient timing is irrelevant. Calories in vs calories out.

This.

Also, from your profile pic. You're tiny already, so your weightloss is going to naturally slow down as it is.

Don't stress. Keep at it and you WILL see the number go down

If not, maybe try upping your calories slightly.

Naw, doesn't really matter when you're consuming your meals... I would avoid eating a rather large meal and going straight to bed if done so on a regular basis, but once or twice won't harm you.

Why would you avoid this? I do it frequently, hasn't hurt me at all.

OP: The only time this would be a problem is if you have problems sleeping with a full stomach.

No. Nutrient timing is irrelevant. Calories in vs calories out.

I just hate going to bed knowing I didn't use up all those nutrients I just consumed, and that I'm maybe even storing the food as fat or whatever since I'm not exerting any energy during sleep.

That isn't how it works.

No. Nutrient timing is irrelevant. Calories in vs calories out.

I just hate going to bed knowing I didn't use up all those nutrients I just consumed, and that I'm maybe even storing the food as fat or whatever since I'm not exerting any energy during sleep.

Everything about this is false. Your body does continue to burn calories as you sleep...it's during this time that your muscles are repairing, etc. Food doesn't magically become fat and digestion doesn't become something new just because you're sleeping.

No! Timing of meals has nothing to do with weight loss. Calories in vs. calories out. I tend to not eat until around noon and onward and I've lost plenty.

yes it does...you should eat a good breakfast a medium lunch and a small dinner...you will burn the calories during the day, but if you eat late you don't burn the calories...that has been my experience.

This is complete bull. Timing of meals is irrelevant.

No. I eat my 2500 cals from noonish to bedtime, and so almost half of them are consumed between 6 and 10 pm. I very rarely eat breakfast. It's calories in vs out.

As to the no energy burned during sleep...my fitbit flex begs to differ. I burn about 400-500 cals just sleeping, and that's an underestimate.

I believe this myth about not eating late is just another way for people to control their total calorie intake. Most people have more control in the morning and during the day than at night. So in an effort to control total calories consumed, nutritionists would advise to not eat at night.
I eat late and almost every single day have an apple or some other snack right before I go to bed. This hasn't stopped me from losing weight.

No. Nutrient timing is irrelevant. Calories in vs calories out.

I just hate going to bed knowing I didn't use up all those nutrients I just consumed, and that I'm maybe even storing the food as fat or whatever since I'm not exerting any energy during sleep.

You "burn" 24/7. The vast majority of your daily calorie requirements are just to keep you alive and all of your organs and everything else functioning properly. To boot, your sleeping hours are generally where you have the greatest fat oxidation.

You don't just store fat because you're sleeping. If I were to sleep all day or be in a coma, I would "burn" roughly 1780 calories with just my body functioning. Those calories are what as known as my basal calories or my Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR). On top of that number you have your NEAT (Non Exercise Activity Thermogenesis...you day to day stuff like getting out of bed, dropping a deuce, driving to work, walking around, cooking, cleaning, etc)...then you have your TEF (Thermic Effect of Food), yes...you burn calories digesting food...and finally when it's all said an done you have this tiny little calorie burn from your EAT (Exercise Activity Thermogensis). For most people, EAT makes up only maybe 10-15% of their total calorie requirements (obviously would be more for an athlete or someone training for an event).

So...again...you don't just store fat because you are sleeping...you are "burning" calories constantly.

i eat the bulk of my calories at dinner/evening time. i eat very light during the day. ive had zero issues with losing weight when sticking to my allotted calories for the day (a deficit)

The short answer is that it's highly unlikely. Calories in/calories out is the most important metric. And just because you don't exercise immediately after eating doesn't mean you aren't burning calories. You do still burn calories during sleep, assuming you still breathe, your heart stil beats, etc...

There are some studies that suggest late night eating, as in eating right before bed, might not be the best practice. Here's one such study: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/01/130129080620.htm One of the major problems with eating late at night lies not in the timing of the meal per se, but in what we tend to crave at night. As long as you are continuing to eat healthy foods in the evening, that should not be a concern.

There are some things to avoid at night because they may negatively impact your sleep. Alcohol late at night tends to disrupt sleep so if you want a glass of wine, drink it early in the evening (or morning, who am I to judge?). And of course, caffeine and other stimulants at night aren't great for restful sleep either.

BTW, no matter how many scientific studies show how people, on average, respond, you're kind of your own guinea pig and it's ok to decide what works for you.