Snacks after 6

jordy89x
jordy89x Posts: 22 Member
in Getting Started
Hey I don't know if this has been posted already but anyway, I'm new to this. I've always heard that when trying to lose weight that you are not supposed to eat anything after 6, but I find that I get so hungry at night, (that's when I used to always be picking at rubbish food), so I'm just wondering if you really had to eat after 6, what would be the best thing to snack on?
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Replies

  • toronto_j
    toronto_j Posts: 206 Member
    Doesn't matter. I've seen plenty of posts from people whose biggest meal is dinner, who like to have a snack before bed etc. It's whatever works best for you and keeps you within your calorie deficit. Too many myths/rules around weight loss.
  • craftywitch_63
    craftywitch_63 Posts: 829 Member
    As long as you're in a calorie deficit, I don't think it matters. I usually don't snack after dinner but that's just because I'm most hungry early in the day. Breakfast is my biggest meal, lunch is second and most of my snacks are on or before 2 pm. If I'm hungry after dinner and I have the calories to spare, I might eat some popcorn or something like that and it never seems to interfere with my weight loss.
  • YukiValentine
    YukiValentine Posts: 45 Member
    I midnight snack all the time! either on some chips, or fruit. I think you're fine as long as you keep it in the calorie limit~
  • JoshD8705
    JoshD8705 Posts: 390 Member
    Time is relative lol some times I don't eat dinner until after 7pm. I even have a snack near 11pm. Bed by 2am. Losing about 2.5lbs a week currently.
  • Boogage
    Boogage Posts: 739 Member
    I eat all times of the day and night and it has made no difference to my weight loss. If I have something heavier at night like a sausage sandwich or a pitta pizza then I weigh in heavier the next morning but it's only because the food hasn't digested properly. As long as you eat at a deficit you will lose weight. Some people would also argue that it keeps your metabolism working.
  • knra_grl
    knra_grl Posts: 1,568 Member
    Eat whatever you want whenever you want as long as it fits into your goal :drinker:
  • _Zardoz_
    _Zardoz_ Posts: 3,987 Member
    Hey I don't know if this has been posted already but anyway, I'm new to this. I've always heard that when trying to lose weight that you are not supposed to eat anything after 6, but I find that I get so hungry at night, (that's when I used to always be picking at rubbish food), so I'm just wondering if you really had to eat after 6, what would be the best thing to snack on?
    I eat my main meal at around 10pm so my weightloss blows that one out of the water.
  • LoveInnocent
    LoveInnocent Posts: 44 Member
    Hey I don't know if this has been posted already but anyway, I'm new to this. I've always heard that when trying to lose weight that you are not supposed to eat anything after 6, but I find that I get so hungry at night, (that's when I used to always be picking at rubbish food), so I'm just wondering if you really had to eat after 6, what would be the best thing to snack on?
    I eat my main meal at around 10pm so my weightloss blows that one out of the water.
    ^^ True that! Good Job!!!

    And yeah I actually eat dinner between 7 and 8, with a healthy snack around 9 to 10 and I am losing weight fine. I've always lost weight despite eatting late. Just make sure you are sleeping well and as far as things to snack on what do you like? If you like chocolate, eat half a dark chocolate bar and break it up into pieces and eat it with strawberries or grapes. Or my new thing is cottage cheese with fruit you can put some fat free whipped cream on there too and its really good and has protein in it. If you want something salty, maybe eat a portion size of hummus with lightly salted pretzels or lentil chips.
  • ProfessorCurlz
    ProfessorCurlz Posts: 72
    There are many different opinions on this. Set a reasonable goal for you, based on your schedule and what will keep you from cheating yourself. I personally dont eat meals after 7pm and no snacking after 8. Give your belly plenty of time to rest! Do what works for you, build a system for yourself.
  • CyberEd312
    CyberEd312 Posts: 3,536 Member
    I have lost a couple pounds and have never used any kind of meal frequency... I just make sure to hit my calorie goals for the day, if that means eating 1100 calories in bed at 10 at night then that is what I do...... Best of Luck :drinker:
  • MelissaPhippsFeagins
    MelissaPhippsFeagins Posts: 8,063 Member
    I have lost a couple pounds and have never used any kind of meal frequency... I just make sure to hit my calorie goals for the day, if that means eating 1100 calories in bed at 10 at night then that is what I do...... Best of Luck :drinker:

    312 is more than a couple of pounds...I am in awe. I've lost around 40 and am at maintenance. I just finished dinner (It's 5:40 pm where I am) and have over 300 calories left for the day. There are yogurt & walnut pieces in my kitchen that I will eat before bed. I'm not sure when exactly, but definitely after 6. :wink:

    What you snack on it something you'll have to figure out for yourself. If you need protein, cottage cheese & fruit is good. Or my Greek yogurt & nuts. Or ice cream or even bacon (Yes, I've done that.)
  • MrsRatfire
    MrsRatfire Posts: 102
    The word Breakfast came from two words, Break Fast. Technically, most of us fast the longest at night. Hence the night time eating. I changed my categories of my food diary on this site. I left the one for "snacks" in, and there were two more slots. I have one for " Before Bed" and "Overnight Eating". If I do not eat something that metabolizes slowly before going to bed, I will wake up to eat. Lately, I am trying a protein shake before bed. That seems to be working. I add 1/2 cup almond milk, scoop whey protein isolate (NOW Brand), 1/2 cup of any kind of fruit (I buy it in freezer section), 2 tablespoons chia seeds, and water. If I do not eat something that digests slowly, such as protein, I will eat whatever I find in a half asleep stupor. If I do overnight eat, I am recording it on the next day in the overnight spot. I am experimenting now to end the overnight eating. So far, the only thing that has worked is the protein mix before bed. I will continue and keep my log and determine if this works for me. Believe me, a scheduled protein shake will be more controlled than eating anything I can find half asleep. Many people, including me, have diseases that make it impossible for them to fast that long. Specifically, some diabetics and FOD (Fatty Oxidation Disorders). I am FOD, I can't do the fast or I go into a metabolic crisis- it can and has almost killed me many times.
  • C3001
    C3001 Posts: 28 Member
    It doesn't matter when you eat your daily calories. I don't think there is much debate there. The debate comes from whatever works for you and if you have certain medical conditions requiring you to follow food frequency patterns. For example... If you tend to eat more at night then plan ahead eating the majority of your calories at that time (meaning eat less during the day). Some people prefer to eat their calories during the am hours and therefore need to plan ahead as well. Others like the poster above need to make sure to fuel there body more frequently. Listen to your body. I skip breakfast, works for me. I was gaining weight listening to "others" trying to eat breakfast and ultimately adding to my daily calories for no reason.

    Edit-
    To answer your exact question: the best thing to snack on would be fruits and veggies (at anytime during the day/evening). I am trying to keep hummus, pretzels, grapes, peaches, bananas, nuts, etc. around for snacks.

    The more informative question: do I have to stop consuming calories at 6pm? The answer is a resounding, no.

    Look up intermittent fasting plans... Made a lot of sense to me once I did the research. Note, some medical conditions may prevent you from being able to follow these lifestyle plans. If you have one, you would likely know and should probably consult a doctor if you don't have much knowledge of your specific condition.
  • Branstin
    Branstin Posts: 2,320 Member
    As long as you don't have any indigestion or health issues and stay within your calories limit, you are free to snack away.
  • SnickersMaggie
    SnickersMaggie Posts: 13 Member
    After 6 p.m. snacking was always my issue! That's when I have my cravings for sugar - cookies and chocolate usually...

    I've found that the individual portion paks of unsweetened applesauce, apple/peach and assorted fruits, topped with some nuts and cinnamon and a cup of Warmth Tea get me thru the night!
  • lorim200
    lorim200 Posts: 38 Member
    I pop my own popcorn almost every night and add 2 tsp of melted margarine.
  • walkingmywaytohealth
    walkingmywaytohealth Posts: 21
    A calorie is a calorie....a lot of people have "rules" about not eating after a certain time. I try to eat heavier in the morning and lighter by evening, but don't always succeed. The less rules you have about eating the more successful, and if you are hungry eat. It's what you take in the whole day that counts not what time.
  • stevwil41
    stevwil41 Posts: 608 Member
    I have 1/2 of a cup of low-fat cottage cheese mixed with 1/4 of a cup of pineapple tidbits before bed just about every night. It keeps me from waking up at 2 a.m. and diving face first into the refrigerator. Work in a snack or two that is reasonably healthy that fits within your calorie budget and don't worry about it.
  • Chieflrg
    Chieflrg Posts: 9,098 Member
    As I'm sure other have said, the time you eat has nothing to do with weight loss. Its how many calories you eat. I average anywhere from 1600-3000 calories within two hours of going to sleep. It has absolutely no bearing on weight loss or gain...
  • Travelbug1955
    Travelbug1955 Posts: 61 Member
    It doesn't matter what time of the day you eat as long as you don't go over your alloted calories for that day. I eat after 6pm almost every day. If you are hungry, then you should eat something.

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