Eating and time of day?

FunSkittles
FunSkittles Posts: 39 Member
edited November 10 in Food and Nutrition
I find that I eat lower calories for breakfast, lunch and snack throughout the day. There are times when it is the end of my day and I still am only at 900 or so calories. I will have a glass of wine, as I typically try to avoid eating later at night, especially ifI'm not hungry. I don't want to deprive myself by not eating the calories, nor do I want to top myself off if my body is telling me I'm not hungry. I try to keep my calories lower during the day in case I get super hungry at night (as that's my typical snacking time, but not as of late...) I will typically have a cheat day once per week so I kind of feel that running at a deficit during the week is okay, if I'm eating them on the weekend (which I can never seem to track being so busy...)

Advice? Should I always eat the min. 1200 calories even if it means eating a snack at 10:00 at night?

Replies

  • Chief_Rocka
    Chief_Rocka Posts: 4,710 Member
    When I eat at 10 pm I make sure I don't got to be until 2 am, so it will be just like stopping at 6 and going to bed at 10. I've lost 10 lbs in three weeks so it must be working.
  • FunSkittles
    FunSkittles Posts: 39 Member
    ha, going to bed at 2am would be my choice of bedtime, but getting up at 5:45am would not by my choice of wake up time. I aim to be asleep by 10:00 each night...
  • acheben
    acheben Posts: 476 Member
    I tend to plan my meals and snacks to make sure that I meet my goals. I usually prelog the night before while I'm putting together my lunch and snacks for the next day. This way, I can prevent the dreaded "it's only 2pm and I only have 300 calories left," but it can also work to make sure you're eating enough.
  • amtru2015
    amtru2015 Posts: 179 Member
    Honestly you really want to turn that around. One trainer told me eat breakfast like a king and dinner like a pauper. People argue all the time that time of day doesn't matter, math doesn't lie, etc etc. For me personally, eating a solid breakfast and then eating small throughout the day and evening has the best results. Lost 20 lbs that way and starting on my next goal. My two cents =)
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    I think your question is should I always eat at least 1200 calories? Yes.
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  • EmmaFitzwilliam
    EmmaFitzwilliam Posts: 482 Member
    Calories cannot tell time.

    For me, the rare occasion when I eat late is no big deal. Neither is a one-off (or two-off) on logging fewer than 1200 calories. One study suggests metabolic shutdown only happens with sustained starvation mode eating. I recommend researching metabolic shutdown/slowdown if you're worried and pick the research you agree with.

    As with anything, there are strong opinions on all sides.

    As a general rule, I would say eat a late snack rather than miss the (1200) calorie benchmark, but that's because I have trouble sleeping if I'm actively hungry.

    On the flip side, I've blown off a late snack because I was tired and it smacked of effort.

    Worry about trends, not days, and see what works for you.
  • neanderthin
    neanderthin Posts: 10,266 Member
    Yes, it's a good idea. Your muscle mass will thank you and there's nothing worse then losing weight and looking fatter.
  • jnv7594
    jnv7594 Posts: 983 Member
    There's nothing wrong with eating at night unless you have something like acid reflux that flares up when you eat too close to bed. Eating right before bed will not hurt weight loss. It's more important that you get your calories in, so if you're hungry at night and you have calories left then eat something. I'm a night eater myself. I'm usually not hungry in the a.m. I usually don't eat my first meal until around 11 a.m. or noon, and I eat my last meal around 9:30 p.m....usually my biggest meal of the day. I'm in bed asleep by about 10:30 or so. This just works for me as it keeps my munchies at bay when I get them the most, in the evenings, and it has done nothing to stall my weight loss. I've lost 65 pounds and have been eating on this schedule the whole time.
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  • FunSkittles
    FunSkittles Posts: 39 Member
    I should have clarified a bit more, if I'm hungry, I will eat. I'm not one to deprive myself. My concern more so is should I eat if I'm not hungry to hit the 1200 minimum.
This discussion has been closed.

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