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Late Eating...

BrittneyIU08
BrittneyIU08 Posts: 13
edited November 2024 in Food and Nutrition
I will be the first to admit one of my biggest struggle is late night snacking. Being in college, I am constantly changing my sleep schedule. I have tried to stop eating before 8pm but sometimes it's 1am when I am going to bed. I will never fall asleep with stomach growling so if I am ABSOLUTELY going to eat something, what should I eat? A trainer once told me greens but asparagus, brussel sprouts, green beans before bed... yumm?? Not so much. Any information is appreciated! :)

Replies

  • Cathleenr
    Cathleenr Posts: 332
    if you are hungry and you have the calories to spare, eat. it makes no difference when you eat. the difference is how much.
  • Gioooo
    Gioooo Posts: 301 Member
    I eat my last meal at 11 or 12. I really don't think it matters, calories are still calories no matter when you eat them!
  • Sublog
    Sublog Posts: 1,296 Member
    Here's the trick...

    Eat less earlier in the day and save more calories for later in the day.

    Meal timing/frequency has no effect on net body composition changes. Just stay under you calorie goals and try to hit your macronurtrient goals and you'll lose weight over time.
  • beemcbe
    beemcbe Posts: 22 Member
    Fighting that urge as we speak. I too am in college and I totally know what you mean... I'm literally envisioning the kitchen cabinet right now to think about what I can go grab. My rule is this: if I don't have it, I can't eat it. So as far as snack foods go, I stock up on stuff like fruits, yogurt, pudding (for when I have a sweet tooth) baby carrots, and peanuts. Peanuts are actually a favorite of mine because I buy them in the shell, so I eat less since I have to pick them.

    Also... it's not completely true that timing has no effect. Your body isn't happy if you eat something then jump into bed ten minutes later. It is, however, okay to eat late if you plan on being up for a bit.
  • lmalaschak
    lmalaschak Posts: 346 Member
    Here's the trick...

    Eat less earlier in the day and save more calories for later in the day.

    Meal timing/frequency has no effect on net body composition changes. Just stay under you calorie goals and try to hit your macronurtrient goals and you'll lose weight over time.

    This is true. I completely ignore all of the diet advice I've ever heard and have a very modest breakfast and lunch, then I have a good-sized supper and snacks in the evening. I can't speak for whether it's the best way to do it or not, but I CAN say that I am doing it this way and losing the weight that I want. I actually save a large portion of my calories for late in the day!
  • bunsofsteele77
    bunsofsteele77 Posts: 7
    I have this problem too! I am always so hungry at night and I eat way more than I should. I would just go to bed but I'm a student so I have work to do :(
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member
    Here's the trick...

    Eat less earlier in the day and save more calories for later in the day.

    Meal timing/frequency has no effect on net body composition changes. Just stay under you calorie goals and try to hit your macronurtrient goals and you'll lose weight over time.

    /thread.
  • CyberEd312
    CyberEd312 Posts: 3,536 Member
    If you have the calories to eat it makes no difference how late you consume them. I just polished off a cup of mixed nuts and a glass of 1% chocolate milk, (around 500 calories) now I am ready for some sleep and I won't be starving before. I wake up.... :drinker:
  • gp79
    gp79 Posts: 1,799 Member
    What sublog said.
  • takingnameskickingbutt
    takingnameskickingbutt Posts: 231 Member
    I relate OP! I tend not to eat a lot during the day, just a small breakfast and lunch (usually fruit and veg) and a lot of water. Then I have more wiggle room. It is is still my biggest struggle.
  • ReginaM49
    ReginaM49 Posts: 65 Member
    Every person is different. Do what works for you. I find it easier during the day so save some calories for the evening. I have insomnia often and when I'm up at 3 a.m. and my stomach growls I'll grab a handful of almonds. High fiber fills you up and is good for you. Good Luck!
  • atjays
    atjays Posts: 797 Member
    If you're like me and do your weigh in in the morning when you wake up, eating later will kinda throw it off a touch. I try to have my last meal by 7 or 8pm and go to bed about midnight. Having a snack right before bed always nets me an extra lb or two on the scale the next morning and I always kick myself for the snack lol. It all evens out but still, it's a mental game!
  • sobriquet84
    sobriquet84 Posts: 607 Member
    I don't see it as a "problem", as long as you're not going over your calories and you're making good choices. Dinner has always been my main source of calories for the day, and I sometimes if I have calories left over or if I'm just hungry or "deserve" a little somethin somethin (usually that mean its my TOM) I will have a snack while watching TV before heading off to bed. I've never been a breakfast person (just coffee), first time I eat during my day is lunch. I know people will say "oooh that's bad you have to keep your metabolism up eating at night is bad blah blah blah" but honestly that's the way I am and that's how I function best. One thing I will say though is I keep my carbs in check at night. Potato chips or granola bar? NO. Hummus and cucumber or sugar free popsicle? YES.
  • wackyfunster
    wackyfunster Posts: 944 Member
    I will be the first to admit one of my biggest struggle is late night snacking. Being in college, I am constantly changing my sleep schedule. I have tried to stop eating before 8pm but sometimes it's 1am when I am going to bed. I will never fall asleep with stomach growling so if I am ABSOLUTELY going to eat something, what should I eat? A trainer once told me greens but asparagus, brussel sprouts, green beans before bed... yumm?? Not so much. Any information is appreciated! :)
    It won't have a significant effect in regards to weight loss. I would recommend small portions of easy-to-digest foods though, as it CAN affect the quality of sleep you get. Or eat a big meal around 8-9pm.
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