Time to stop eating?

Elleebell
Elleebell Posts: 56
edited September 30 in Health and Weight Loss
Hey, I'm having a problem with eating late at night. I'm staying in my calorie goal (usually) but my husband doesn't get off work until 9:30 pm so I usually eat dinner around 10 and I feel like that might be detrimental to my weight loss. Does anyone have any ideas about what time at night you should stop eating for the day?

Replies

  • morrowsarah
    morrowsarah Posts: 240 Member
    You should stop eating about 4 hours before you go to bed!
  • Brownski860
    Brownski860 Posts: 361 Member
    i agree, 4 hrs before bed is the rule i use
  • michaelaam18
    michaelaam18 Posts: 26
    Have your last meal whenever it suits you. I sometimes can't eat dinner until 9.30pm or 10.30pm because of work. I'm not going to let it stop me eating dinner though, what am I supposed to do - just not eat at all?
    Generally the time you eat doesn't hinder weight loss if you're eating the right foods.
  • spyro88
    spyro88 Posts: 472 Member
    It doesn't make any difference as long as you eat the right things. I heard it is a myth that you should stop eating hours before you sleep.
  • auryted
    auryted Posts: 9
    I have my dinner at 6pm, which is 5 hours before bed. My dinner is always low in carbs, which for me is even more important than when I have it. It does wonders to how I feel in the morning: more energetic and looking forward to breakfast. I have also read that if you can't avoid eating later than 6pm, then it has to be a no carbs meal (so nothing stodgy, lean fish or meat with veggies).

    Hope this helps!
  • Monica_has_a_goal
    Monica_has_a_goal Posts: 694 Member
    It doesn't make any difference as long as you eat the right things. I heard it is a myth that you should stop eating hours before you sleep.

    I agree.. My hubby eats at 3 am.. and hes lost 30 pounds in the last 7 weeks..

    Why do men have it easier than women? lol.. actually I'm really proud of him.. Rawr!! :love:
  • Fitzgeraldguy
    Fitzgeraldguy Posts: 48
    Hi,

    My trainer told me that if I have to eat late I should choose healthy fats, high protein, low carbs, and no starchy foods. As these can be used and broken down for maintenance during the night.

    Best.
  • jkestens63
    jkestens63 Posts: 1,164 Member
    It doesn't make any difference as long as you eat the right things. I heard it is a myth that you should stop eating hours before you sleep.

    I agree, I usually eat dinner between 8:30 pm and 9:30 pm. I also usually have a snack right before bed (skim milk & a 100 calorie "goodie"). I've always eating the bulk of my calories later in the day and it hasn't impeded my weight loss. I think it comes down to calories in vs. calories out. You have to burn more than you eat, and it doesn't matter when you burn them. I think the recommendation to cut off your eating by a certain time if you:

    - have heartburn/indigestion when you lay down to sleep; cut off at least 2 hrs prior to lieing down so the food can process out of your stomach.
    - don't have an appetite for breakfast in the morning; stop eating earlier at night so that by the time the morning arrives, you've gone longer without food and you're hungry
    - tend to be a nighttime binger/snacker. If you can't control what you're eating at night, it might be best to set a stopping time and stay out of the kitchen!

    Good luck!
  • amleigh79
    amleigh79 Posts: 1 Member
    I usually eat later in the evening and have a snack before bed. I can't sleep if my stomach is growling!! I think that as long as you aren't exceeding your calorie goal, it doesn't matter when you take your calories in!
  • Thamantha
    Thamantha Posts: 102 Member
    No idea if eating late at night would affect rate of weight loss. I am inclined to agree that calories in vs calories out is the main factor.

    There is another reason why your evening meal should be at least 3 hours before you go to sleep though. Eating too late is disruptive to your sleep, it can affect your sleep quality, and that has a knock on effect for your energy levels the next day. I used to work in sleep research. That said if you don't feel it is affecting you, then you are probably fine :)
  • bobbybdoe
    bobbybdoe Posts: 472 Member
    It doesn't really matter. Make sure you wait at least 1 hour before going to bed after you eat. I don't know why people believe in that 2-4 hour rule when there's barely any science behind it.
  • Qarol
    Qarol Posts: 6,171 Member
    I've heard conflicting ideas. Some say it's better not to eat at night, as your metabolism can slow. Others say a calorie is a calorie, and it doesn't matter.

    For you, if you're worried that it's negatively affecting you, try not eating so late for a few weeks. See what results you get. I bet it depends on the person.
  • anubis609
    anubis609 Posts: 3,966 Member
    It matters?

    *looks at my ticker loss*

    Guess not.
  • Heather75
    Heather75 Posts: 3,386 Member
    Yup. It doesn't matter. Eat whenever you want.
  • taso42_DELETED
    taso42_DELETED Posts: 3,394 Member
    Generally you should eat when you're awake and not eat when you're asleep.
  • crazymama2two
    crazymama2two Posts: 867
    Generally you should eat when you're awake and not eat when you're asleep.

    i vote this.
  • ickybella
    ickybella Posts: 1,438 Member
    Nevah! Seriously, though, I usually have a snack before bed. It's worked for me over two years and 110 pounds...
  • Cccaroline
    Cccaroline Posts: 196 Member
    I thought it's a myth that you shouldn't eat late. I think as long as you stick within cals you should be ok. I think you should't go to bed straight after a big dinner, better to let it go down for a few mins at least. I don't have dinner late but normally have a snack just before bed, and it doesn't seem to be a problem.
  • MissyFit08
    MissyFit08 Posts: 274 Member
    My bedtimes vary so much so I don't stick with that 4 hours before bed stuff. I stop EATING food around 6 at the latest if I can. If I feel hungry or something past that, I'll have some water or a little milk to hold me over til the next day for breakfast. If I'm absolutely STARVING before bed then I'll have a piece of fruit or something healthy that won't really affect my weight loss negatively.

    Think...your metabolism slows down usually in the late afternoon. If you're eating at 8 at night -2 in the morning, I don't think it would burn off nearly as quickly since you're sleeping...not moving around or exercising...
  • jennys33
    jennys33 Posts: 16
    It does not matter what time you eat, but only WHAT you eat. The total calories in the day is what matters. HTH
  • AnnaPixie
    AnnaPixie Posts: 7,439 Member
    Generally you should eat when you're awake and not eat when you're asleep.


    :laugh: this!! :bigsmile: 1200 calories is the same at 10am or 10pm. Indigestion aside :wink:
  • AnnaPixie
    AnnaPixie Posts: 7,439 Member

    Think...your metabolism slows down usually in the late afternoon. If you're eating at 8 at night -2 in the morning, I don't think it would burn off nearly as quickly since you're sleeping...not moving around or exercising...


    Food actually keeps your metabolism stoked!! (along with movement/exercise). You actually burn about 70-90 calories per hour asleep as your body is busy repairing and dreaming, tossing and turning, breathing.......... etc. Having inadaquate food/energy in your body while all this is going on can be counter productive.

    If you're hungry, eat! If you haven't consumed enough calories during the day, eat!

    Good luck :flowerforyou:
  • CharlieBarleyMom
    CharlieBarleyMom Posts: 727 Member
    It doesn't make any difference as long as you eat the right things. I heard it is a myth that you should stop eating hours before you sleep.

    I recently read the same thing. There was OLD news that eating just before bed means that your food sits in your stomach undigested because your body slows down when you are relaxing and especially when you are sleeping... but really? Who among us, even now that we're all on the same path to healthier living, is highly active after dinner?

    I work 2nd shift. I eat dinner while I'm at work... and I sit on my butt all night long! :smile:
  • tigersword
    tigersword Posts: 8,059 Member
    Your metabolism doesn't really slow down any appreciable amount throughout the day, as long as you are eating the proper number of calories a day. It doesn't make a difference when you eat, just what you eat, like has been said!
  • Elleebell
    Elleebell Posts: 56
    Thanks for the great feedback, everyone! I don't feel so bad for eating late at night with my husband now. Besides, eating at ten is still almost three hours from when I usually finish up my schoolwork and fall into bed anyways... :)
  • babyblake11
    babyblake11 Posts: 1,107 Member
    THERE IS NO RULE THAT YOU SHOULDNT EAT CLOSE TO BEDTIME.
    IF YOUR BODY IS HUNGRY, EAT! JUST MAKE WISE CHOICES. LETTING YOUR BODY GO WITHOUT WILL DO WAY MORE HARM THAN GOOD, THIS WILL MAKE NO DIFFERENCE TO YOUR WEIGHT LOSS.
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