Carbs at Night?

ItsLessOfMe
ItsLessOfMe Posts: 374 Member
edited October 5 in Health and Weight Loss
For the past week I've been experimenting with not eating carbs after lunch. It is SO hard!!! I did loose weight this week but I wanted to get some feedback from others. Oh, and I workout in the morning.

What do you eat before bed? Do you see any difference in weight loss when you stick to protien late in the day.

Thank you for any input
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Replies

  • epona_mus
    epona_mus Posts: 207 Member
    I had great success several years ago not eating carbs after noon. I found I was less hungry and I could still have my carbs in the AM. I still try to "frontload" my day with carbs and not eat bread, potatoes, rice etc. after mid day. I also have a protein snack (1T of peanut butter, a dozen almonds, etc.) right before I go to bed because it helps keep me satiated so I'm not starving first thing in the morning (my weakest moments are before coffee...)
  • ItsLessOfMe
    ItsLessOfMe Posts: 374 Member
    Thank you. Yes I am doing a protien snack before bed. I just CRAVE my carbs. Will I get over it?
  • stanvoodoo
    stanvoodoo Posts: 1,023 Member
    Protein and yes it does get better!!!
  • alz6690
    alz6690 Posts: 44
    No carbs after 3pm has definitely been working for me! if i need a snack before bed i have a few nuts or seeds but i try not to eat after 8pm so drink water or fruit tea
  • doccwood
    doccwood Posts: 2
    Protein and YES!
  • UponThisRock
    UponThisRock Posts: 4,519 Member
    It's a dietary myth that doesn't stand up to the scientific research
  • _GlaDOS_
    _GlaDOS_ Posts: 1,520 Member
    It's a dietary myth that doesn't stand up to the scientific research

    ^^ This.
  • saraann752003
    saraann752003 Posts: 65
    It's a dietary myth that doesn't stand up to the scientific research

    Pretty much agree with this one, chances are, because you are restricting your time frame for eating carbs you are eating less of them.
  • killagb
    killagb Posts: 3,280 Member
    Timing of nutrient types doesn't matter. What matters is that you maintain a caloric deficit when compared to your total daily energy expediture(TDEE). Eating protein heavy most of the day will keep you satisfied, and if you stick to getting lots of protein, eating the carbs you can fit in along the way won't hurt you one bit. Just keep the calories on target!
  • CaptainGordo
    CaptainGordo Posts: 4,437 Member
    Eating at night? Not an issue.
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/390149-should-i-eat-at-night

    Spreading those calories out throughout the day? Not necessary.
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/397321-should-i-eat-lots-of-smaller-meals
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member
    It's a dietary myth that doesn't stand up to the scientific research

    This.
    <---- Eats carbs right before bed, often times 100g+, not that anecdotes are meaningful.
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    Don't waste your time. I eat whatever I want, whenever I want and it doesn't affect a thing - as long as I stick to my net caloric intake goal of course. Most nights I eat (drink) pure carbs (beer) right before bed and it doesn't change anything from when I drank no beer at all for weeks at a time.
  • Scott613
    Scott613 Posts: 2,317 Member
    I eat a majority of my carbs at night usually within an hour or two before I go to bed.
  • epona_mus
    epona_mus Posts: 207 Member
    Anecdote ARE meaningful and the reason many of these questions are asked (and re-asked) on forums. People WANT to hear real-life experiences, not read journal articles.

    My anecdote: I find eating carbs late in the day results in feeling hungrier in the evening and that protein before bed helps keep me satiated.

    So there ya go...
  • killagb
    killagb Posts: 3,280 Member
    I eat a majority of my carbs at night usually within an hour or two before I go to bed.
    I dunno, your hands look sort of bulky, probably the carbs I'm thinking? :bigsmile:
  • UponThisRock
    UponThisRock Posts: 4,519 Member
    My anecdote: I find eating carbs late in the day results in feeling hungrier in the evening and that protein before bed helps keep me satiated.

    So there ya go...

    It's not an either/or scenario
  • killagb
    killagb Posts: 3,280 Member
    Anecdote ARE meaningful and the reason many of these questions are asked (and re-asked) on forums. People WANT to hear real-life experiences, not read journal articles.

    My anecdote: I find eating carbs late in the day results in feeling hungrier in the evening and that protein before bed helps keep me satiated.

    So there ya go...
    Eating carbs to satisfy hunger is a bad approach. Eating them to satisfy a craving is the way to go. If you try to eat a good amount of protein in most meals, the carbs won't effect being sated at all.
  • ItsLessOfMe
    ItsLessOfMe Posts: 374 Member
    I have read that WHAT you eat before bed does matter. From the Mayo clinic and others....I was just hoping there were people who have tried it. I just didnt want to reinvent the wheel. I was eating a little ice cream or cake. ALL within my calories. But I wasn't loosing weight some weeks. Now I'm just trying to shake things up. I was told that those sweets at the end of my day were causing me to stall.
  • killagb
    killagb Posts: 3,280 Member
    I have read that WHAT you eat before bed does matter. From the Mayo clinic and others....I was just hoping there were people who have tried it. I just didnt want to reinvent the wheel. I was eating a little ice cream or cake. ALL within my calories. But I wasn't loosing weight some weeks. Now I'm just trying to shake things up. I was told that those sweets at the end of my day were causing me to stall.
    That is incorrect. Do you have a link to this information from Mayo clinic? It does not matter AT ALL for weight loss. As long as you are at or under your calorie goal.
  • UponThisRock
    UponThisRock Posts: 4,519 Member
    I have read that WHAT you eat before bed does matter. From the Mayo clinic and others....I was just hoping there were people who have tried it. I just didnt want to reinvent the wheel. I was eating a little ice cream or cake. ALL within my calories. But I wasn't loosing weight some weeks. Now I'm just trying to shake things up. I was told that those sweets at the end of my day were causing me to stall.

    If you already have your mind made up, why create the thread?
  • steffiejoe
    steffiejoe Posts: 313 Member
    For the past week I've been experimenting with not eating carbs after lunch. It is SO hard!!! I did loose weight this week but I wanted to get some feedback from others. Oh, and I workout in the morning.

    What do you eat before bed? Do you see any difference in weight loss when you stick to protien late in the day.

    Thank you for any input

    Do what works for you!!

    I'm not sure if it matters but I'm not eating carbs at night to find out. Yea I said it carb phobia at night, LOL!!!

    Seriously, when I was younger I could eat/drink what ever I wanted and it had no effect. Now that I'm older it seems harder to keep the weight off. I'm not sure if its a hormonal thing or what.
  • CaptainGordo
    CaptainGordo Posts: 4,437 Member
    I have read that WHAT you eat before bed does matter. From the Mayo clinic and others....I was just hoping there were people who have tried it. I just didnt want to reinvent the wheel. I was eating a little ice cream or cake. ALL within my calories. But I wasn't loosing weight some weeks. Now I'm just trying to shake things up. I was told that those sweets at the end of my day were causing me to stall.
    That is incorrect. Do you have a link to this information from Mayo clinic? It does not matter AT ALL for weight loss. As long as you are at or under your calorie goal.
    Googling "eating before bed site:mayoclinic.com" produced some hits for articles about foods that can help you sleep better, but that's about all I got.
  • sonnyless
    sonnyless Posts: 142 Member
    Congrats for trying this out! Reducing carbs is very challenging. I actually tried a "no-carb" diet to help me break a plateu last month. I ate lean meats, fish, apples and veggies. I dropped a lot of weight doing that. But I knew I couldn't make a lifestyle out of it, so I introduced carbs back. Like you, I try not to have any after lunch. It takes time to get used to it, but it will get more easier. And you will drop weight because it's a shock to your body. Protein is the best thing for your body. Some days I just eat chicken breast all day. Best of luck! :)
  • epona_mus
    epona_mus Posts: 207 Member
    My anecdote: I find eating carbs late in the day results in feeling hungrier in the evening and that protein before bed helps keep me satiated.

    So there ya go...

    It's not an either/or scenario

    When I have about 90 cal to spare at 9 pm, it usually is for me... I opt for a tablespoon of nuts or nut butter. YMMV
  • ItsLessOfMe
    ItsLessOfMe Posts: 374 Member
    So they do recommend granola and fruit as well.
    The Mayo Clinic recommends cereal with low-fat milk or yogurt topped with granola, which often contains oats, as valuable bedtime snack options

    Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/282294-healthy-foods-to-eat-before-bed/#ixzz1dubPd5vP

    So maybe it was the fact that I was eating too much before bed. I really am afraid of running out of calories. So I eat light all day then have TONS of calories left at the end of the day.

    I guess your right I have to find what works for me. I wish it wasnt so difficult to figure out. I definelty know 120 g of protien a day has help with all the cravings. Now to the choices I make with the rest of the calories.
  • epona_mus
    epona_mus Posts: 207 Member
    And look how well you're doing!!! Only 19 lbs to go... so you're definitely doing something right!
  • ItsLessOfMe
    ItsLessOfMe Posts: 374 Member
    Congrats for trying this out! Reducing carbs is very challenging. I actually tried a "no-carb" diet to help me break a plateu last month. I ate lean meats, fish, apples and veggies. I dropped a lot of weight doing that. But I knew I couldn't make a lifestyle out of it, so I introduced carbs back. Like you, I try not to have any after lunch. It takes time to get used to it, but it will get more easier. And you will drop weight because it's a shock to your body. Protein is the best thing for your body. Some days I just eat chicken breast all day. Best of luck! :)

    Thank you SO much sonny and epona_mus. Thats what I wanted to her just someome who has done it.
  • HMonsterX
    HMonsterX Posts: 3,000 Member
    OP, it sounds like you're overcomplicating it.

    Simply eat what you want, when you want, but make sure you keep that calorie deficit.

    It really is as simply as that. I eat my main meals of protein/carbs right before bed, normally around 900/1k cals. Just focus on the things that really matter! :)
  • killagb
    killagb Posts: 3,280 Member
    Congrats for trying this out! Reducing carbs is very challenging. I actually tried a "no-carb" diet to help me break a plateu last month. I ate lean meats, fish, apples and veggies. I dropped a lot of weight doing that. But I knew I couldn't make a lifestyle out of it, so I introduced carbs back. Like you, I try not to have any after lunch. It takes time to get used to it, but it will get more easier. And you will drop weight because it's a shock to your body. Protein is the best thing for your body. Some days I just eat chicken breast all day. Best of luck! :)

    Thank you SO much sonny and epona_mus. Thats what I wanted to her just someome who has done it.
    People do it...but there is honestly NO REASON. I guess all you wanted here was someone to tell you that you should? Clearly that's the only information you find useful, rather than the FACTS. Good luck anyhow.
  • CaptainGordo
    CaptainGordo Posts: 4,437 Member
    So they do recommend granola and fruit as well.
    The Mayo Clinic recommends cereal with low-fat milk or yogurt topped with granola, which often contains oats, as valuable bedtime snack options

    Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/282294-healthy-foods-to-eat-before-bed/#ixzz1dubPd5vP
    That article is about tips for foods to eat before bed that can help you sleep better, not avoid weight gain.

    "What you eat before bed can influence your ability to sleep and your wellness in positive and negative ways. According to the Mayo Clinic, eating large, high-fat meals, caffeinated beverages or spicy foods before bed can cause discomfort, alertness and heartburn. Modest-sized healthy snacks, on the other hand, can heighten relaxation and prevent hunger pangs during the night. If you have difficulty improving your bedtime sleep habits, seek guidance from your doctor or nutritionist."
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