Why avoid late night snacking?

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Replies

  • fmbomzo
    fmbomzo Posts: 382 Member
    I workout at night, so I always have a late night snack since I have a postworkout recovery food most times. How large of a snack depends on my body's signal. I try not to eat a lot of food late because I had previous issues with acid reflux, but since I've been improving my overall eating habits and fitness, that has naturally decreased as well.
  • Iamjulez
    Iamjulez Posts: 48 Member
    Well. I always thought it was bad. I had a friend when I was younger that limited herself to not eating after 6 pm and just from doing that she lost a tremendous amount of weight. I think it's the arguement that you burn your calories during the day. When you sleep your body doesn't burn calories quite as quickly and therefore might store anything extra during sleep as fat? Idk. I haven't read up on it or not.. I think it's all just a guess. If it's working or not for you is the thing to go by :)

    I eat late. I work retail and alot of times when I get home is when I put my calories in and see what I've got left for dinner... so sometimes I have quite a few calories left to eat so I don't "starve" myself and go under calories.
  • thelovelyLIZ
    thelovelyLIZ Posts: 1,227 Member
    I almost always get hungry after dinner. I don't think weight gain comes from eating at night, it comes from the mindless, poor eating choices that are easy to make in the evening. I find if I save myself the calories and have a healthy snack, eating in the evening doesn't hinder my progress at all, and I don't wake up ravenous in the morning either.
  • nnylee
    nnylee Posts: 811 Member
    I late night snack. Whateves.
  • boggsmeister
    boggsmeister Posts: 292 Member
    I am eating a piece of red velvet cake and a glass of milk right now. I certainly don't avoid late night snacking. If it fits in my calories I eat whenever the hell I want. People think that it's better to not eat late because your body will turn that into fat. Yeah, that's really happening while I am losing my weight. You turn calories into fat when you consistently eat more than you burn. This isn't rocket science people.
  • AeolianHarp
    AeolianHarp Posts: 463 Member
    if those will fit in your daily limits, no worries. I eat ice cream all the time at night.

    I don't eat ice cream at night but I have to attest to this and say I know quite a few people who do. I have no idea how they fit it but sometimes they fit an entire pint of B&Js.
  • tigersword
    tigersword Posts: 8,059 Member
    I ate an entire pint of Ben & Jerry's Blueberry Vanilla Graham Frozen Greek Yogurt the other night. It was heaven. It's only about 900 calories.... But alas, time to start cutting again, so probably won't get to do that again for awhile. :laugh:
  • Qatsi
    Qatsi Posts: 2,191 Member
    I avoid eating late at night - but it's because I have a problem with acid reflux. Going to bed with a full stomach usually guarantees I'm awakened at 3am in a VERY unpleasant manner.
  • Alee4nia
    Alee4nia Posts: 168 Member
    Nothing wrong with late night snacking as long as you have calories to eat and try to make it healthy...
  • Adah_m
    Adah_m Posts: 216 Member
    I fully agree that if you have the calories it doesn't matter when you eat them. I guess my question is how much of your metabolism is related to "when" you eat? I wonder because I see people who eat every 2-3 hours lose weight and they say it's because it speeds the metabolism. If that's true, eating at night is probably good as long as it's healthy. But if calories don't know what time it is, does the eating every 2 hours thing really work? If you eat 1500 calories evenly spaced 2 hours apart, or in one sitting, will it make a difference in weight loss?
    I'm starting to think that's a bunch of hype and that whether you eat one meal or 6, if the calories are the same it won't matter... ? Any thoughts? I'm new to living a healthy lifestyle :smile:

    also I don't mean to change the subject, I just mean in relation to this thread. Does the eating at night thing stem from the belief that eating more often spurs the metabolism/ or that consuming before bed spoils it?
  • tigersword
    tigersword Posts: 8,059 Member
    Meal timing is a myth. It doesn't matter how many meals you eat, or how often you eat them. It has no effect on 24 hour caloric burns. If you eat one 1500 calorie meal, or five 300 calorie meals, it averages out to exactly the same over a 24 hour period. Same with eating all your calories earlier in the day vs later in the day.

    It's 100% personal preference how you plan out your meals. The only thing that matters for health and weight loss are total calories and nutrients.
  • neverstray
    neverstray Posts: 3,845 Member
    Meal timing is a myth. It doesn't matter how many meals you eat, or how often you eat them. It has no effect on 24 hour caloric burns. If you eat one 1500 calorie meal, or five 300 calorie meals, it averages out to exactly the same over a 24 hour period. Same with eating all your calories earlier in the day vs later in the day.

    It's 100% personal preference how you plan out your meals. The only thing that matters for health and weight loss are total calories and nutrients.

    I keep reading this, but I don't think it's true. Do you have any research articles to back it up? Knowing the little bit I know about how the body processes food, eating a 1500 calorie meal in one sitting is completely different than eating 5 300 calorie meals throughout the day. Considering processing, and fat stores and all that, I don't believe it's the same. I could be wrong, so I'd love to read up on it.
  • REET420
    REET420 Posts: 160 Member
    One of my intructors at the dojo I used to train at told me you shouldn't eat fat or carbs after 3 pm. I don't know if it's true. I tend not to eat at night because I have acid reflux and eating before bed means a heartburn the next morning.
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member
    I keep reading this, but I don't think it's true.

    It actually is true.
    Do you have any research articles to back it up?

    Do you have any that show that meal partitioning effects thermic effect of feeding?
    Knowing the little bit I know about how the body processes food, eating a 1500 calorie meal in one sitting is completely different than eating 5 300 calorie meals throughout the day. Considering processing, and fat stores and all that, I don't believe it's the same. I could be wrong, so I'd love to read up on it.

    The issue is that the claim here is really that eating frequently assists in fat loss due to an increase in thermogenic effect. The claim has nothing to support it.

    But having said that, I'll dig up some research for you to read.

    One moment.

    EDIT:

    Here's a referenced post that I wrote about meal frequencies.
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/529002-a-compliation-on-meal-frequency

    EDIT2: ^ And there is attached researched in the above post, it should accurately and completely (with the references) explain why.
  • lissarv68
    lissarv68 Posts: 61
    .......If you enjoy late night snacking, why not save calories for the evening? I eat a lot at night... Typically 1000 -1200 cals between 8:30 pm and 9:45 pm, then off to bed. ......

    That's what I do. I am a late day/night eater. I get really hungry after 3 pm and it doesn't matter if I ate a big lunch/breakfast or not. I still get hungry. So, I save the bulk of my calories for then. I don't buy into that whole time of day eating thing. I think total amount of calories consumed in a day is all that matters.

    I've lost over 50 lbs in a year so it seems to be working for me. Maybe other people this doesn't work but it does for me. I also keep my calories between 1300 -1500 a day....period. Regardless of what I do that day. Again, this is what works for my body and may not work for others.
  • sexforjaffacakes
    sexforjaffacakes Posts: 1,001 Member
    nothing wrong with a little midnight snack ! better to eat than to go into starve mode, and have ur body store whatever you eat in the morning!

    please tell me this is a joke? :L

    if not, *facepalm* fighting broscience with broscience!
  • Kell_Smurthwaite
    Kell_Smurthwaite Posts: 384 Member
    I often have no choice but to snack late at night. On evening when I'm working, I have to eat my evening meal at around 3.30pm and then don't get home till about 10.45pm with no chance to have another bite to eat before then. Therefore, I plan accordingly and make sure I have enough calories and allowances left over to allow for a snack late at night. It's usually a lighter snack, but is typically anthing between 200 and 400 calories. The way I see it is there's no way i'm going to leave my body empty over night when i haven't eaten since mid-afternoon, or I'll wake up starved in the morning and demolish everything in sight rather than eating sensibly, and then ruin my whole day.
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member
    fighting broscience with broscience!

    ^ Heh, that's a good phrase. Might use that again :)
  • sexforjaffacakes
    sexforjaffacakes Posts: 1,001 Member
    fighting broscience with broscience!

    ^ Heh, that's a good phrase. Might use that again :)

    Thief! That's my intellectual property y'know ;]
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member
    fighting broscience with broscience!

    ^ Heh, that's a good phrase. Might use that again :)

    Thief! That's my intellectual property y'know ;]

    I will put it in quotes and attribute it to you :)
  • witchywillow
    witchywillow Posts: 143 Member
    hiya

    i leave about 300 cals spare for evening snacking which i usually have about 8pm, it normally consists of fat free yoghurt topped with granola, hot choccie drink and banana :happy:
  • MommyLyssa
    MommyLyssa Posts: 134
    I probably eat a good 50% or more of my calories fter 7-8pm. That is just when I am hungry, so I do it. I also don't tend to eat breakfast...have the past few days since I upped my calories, just until I get she'd to eating slightly larger portions.
  • sexforjaffacakes
    sexforjaffacakes Posts: 1,001 Member
    fighting broscience with broscience!

    ^ Heh, that's a good phrase. Might use that again :)

    Thief! That's my intellectual property y'know ;]

    I will put it in quotes and attribute it to you :)

    yaya! I except a share of the profits too
  • Di3012
    Di3012 Posts: 2,247 Member
    I'm going to get flammed for this I'm sure. I saw a group and popular thread devoted to combating late night snacking so I have to ask, why avoid it?

    If you enjoy late night snacking, why not save calories for the evening? I eat a lot at night... Typically 1000 -1200 cals between 8:30 pm and 9:45 pm, then off to bed.

    6:30am - 8:30am 450 cals
    11:30am - 1:30pm 750 cals
    6:30pm - 7:30 pm 750 cals
    8:30pm - 9:45pm 1050 cals

    This is my typical routine right now. Granted I am eating more than most, but even when I was on 1200 cals for 7 months straight I always saved 500 cals for after dinner eating. IF you enjoy it, why deny yourself?

    I'm really just curious why fight it if you like it? Just plan for it :)

    -M

    Good luck!

    If you have calories left, nothing to stop you having your late night snack.

    The problem arises when you do NOT have enough calories left, but still snack regardless :)
  • Kell_Smurthwaite
    Kell_Smurthwaite Posts: 384 Member
    One of my intructors at the dojo I used to train at told me you shouldn't eat fat or carbs after 3 pm. I don't know if it's true. I tend not to eat at night because I have acid reflux and eating before bed means a heartburn the next morning.
    That's gotta make dinner awfully difficult - you'd have to just have a plate full of protein and nothing else. What kind of food is pure protein with no fat or carbs at all? Personally, I don't subscribe to strictly limiting any of the food groups, whether long term or after a certain time in the day, If I'm hungry Im' going to eat and I'll make sure it falls within my allowances for the day, If it's not going ot fit I'll either get in some more exercise to cover it (if there's time) or I'll rethink what i'm having so it DOES fit.
  • Di3012
    Di3012 Posts: 2,247 Member
    One of my intructors at the dojo I used to train at told me you shouldn't eat fat or carbs after 3 pm. I don't know if it's true. I tend not to eat at night because I have acid reflux and eating before bed means a heartburn the next morning.

    To NOT eat after 3pm?? All very well if somebody is not working full-time, but some people have no choice lol.

    Seriously ignore that advice, I don't care who it comes from either, eat if you have the calories available.
  • Tiki1978
    Tiki1978 Posts: 364
    I dont think its a huge deal. I get home around midnight from work and I do have a snack if im hungry. Normally its within my calorie range, however I do notice a difference in the scale the next morning . I feel "thinner" in the morning without it.
  • tigersword
    tigersword Posts: 8,059 Member
    Meal timing is a myth. It doesn't matter how many meals you eat, or how often you eat them. It has no effect on 24 hour caloric burns. If you eat one 1500 calorie meal, or five 300 calorie meals, it averages out to exactly the same over a 24 hour period. Same with eating all your calories earlier in the day vs later in the day.

    It's 100% personal preference how you plan out your meals. The only thing that matters for health and weight loss are total calories and nutrients.

    I keep reading this, but I don't think it's true. Do you have any research articles to back it up? Knowing the little bit I know about how the body processes food, eating a 1500 calorie meal in one sitting is completely different than eating 5 300 calorie meals throughout the day. Considering processing, and fat stores and all that, I don't believe it's the same. I could be wrong, so I'd love to read up on it.
    Sidesteal beat me to it, and I admit I didn't check what he linked to in his post, so these may be repeats, but here:
    http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/research-review/meal-frequency-and-energy-balance-research-review.html
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20339363
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9155494
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3508745
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9040548
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member
    Meal timing is a myth. It doesn't matter how many meals you eat, or how often you eat them. It has no effect on 24 hour caloric burns. If you eat one 1500 calorie meal, or five 300 calorie meals, it averages out to exactly the same over a 24 hour period. Same with eating all your calories earlier in the day vs later in the day.

    It's 100% personal preference how you plan out your meals. The only thing that matters for health and weight loss are total calories and nutrients.

    I keep reading this, but I don't think it's true. Do you have any research articles to back it up? Knowing the little bit I know about how the body processes food, eating a 1500 calorie meal in one sitting is completely different than eating 5 300 calorie meals throughout the day. Considering processing, and fat stores and all that, I don't believe it's the same. I could be wrong, so I'd love to read up on it.
    Sidesteal beat me to it, and I admit I didn't check what he linked to in his post, so these may be repeats, but here:
    http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/research-review/meal-frequency-and-energy-balance-research-review.html
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20339363
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9155494
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3508745
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9040548

    ^ I've got two of the four in my link, and a few different ones. You have some different ones up above that I'll add to my collection of links :)

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