Why can't I eat at night?

I've spent WAY too much time on these forums today, but I've seen at least 7 people emphatically state that you shouldn't eat x number of hours before you go to bed (x being 2/3 hrs or a cutoff of 7/8pm which I'm assuming translates to 2/3/4 hrs before bed). I will eat a total of 1500 calories today. I'm eating about 650 of those now (it's 9pm where I am), and I'll probably have another 200-300 in my pj's in my bed in a couple of hours. I'll go to "bed" around 11.

This is my daily routine-except I'm eating dinner earlier than usual. I'm not terribly interested in changing my schedule (unless there is a compelling reason to do so)-I'm just curious why I "can't" successfully lose weight eating at night. Since I've seen it posted several times today-I'm hoping someone can chime in and let me know the physiological reasoning behind why eating at night is bad for me.

Not eating at night because you will gain weight is an old tail. Digestion takes place ALL the time, in fact digestion IS the Aging process...whatever that means to you, maybe eat less -age less? Anyway, eat whenever you can tolerate it. Everyone can't eat at night before laying down because of digestion problems as well as stomach problems. When I was younger, I could eat anytime and hop right in the bed...NOW, the food might come back up in My throat and I HATE laying down on a full stomach. NOT to mention that a full stomach is NOT conducive to sex-making or Love-making. Whatever, Do what You can Tolerate. It's NOT good staying on MFP Forums to much, Tales and Shyt Flies here with all kind of weight and health myths...you may blow your success if you follow forum advice to much. Forums are READ and FOLLOW AT YOUR OWN RISK!

Yeay!! This is good news for me. I'm a late nightdress, not going to bed before like 3-5 am if I go to bed at all ( insomnia)

I don't think there really is an issue with eating at night but if you think about what's happening there's probably some valid reasons why many suggest you don't.

When you go to sleep your Heart Rate is very low (check it 1st thing when you wake up in the morning and you'd be shocked at how low it actually is). I'm usually in the mid-50's. Now think about your workouts you attempt to increase your heart rate to a level that allows you to burn more calories. So if you have a full stomach and your heart rate is in the 50's or 60's you'll very likely wake up still somewhat full and/or depending on what you ate some of it could be converted to fat.

My perspective on it is pretty simple. If I'm starving I will eat something little but I attempt to not eat after dinner whenever possible. My belief is that if I go to bed on a completely empty stomach my body will consume calories, i.e. fat, while I'm fast asleep even if it's at 50 BPM so that I can stay alive. I just look at it as an BONUS opportunity to supplement my diet and exercise programs. I also figure my digestive organs do a lot of work during the day so why not give them a little rest at night!

In the end if it's healthy food there probably isn't an issue with eating at night. Now if it's Pizza, McDonald's, etc. you get what you asked for I suppose.

I guess next time I will try to spell it out for people lol it sounded like he was being smart, but anywho! I always hear from doctors and online and whatnot that it isn't good to eat at night, but I don't think I've ever heard an actual explanation. Logically it makes sense that if you're sedentary at night you wouldn't burn them, but who knows!

When you're at rest, is when your body actually does the majority of its repair work. Trust me, this isn't a 'low calorie usage' process.

Edit ~ Oh and Tigersword? He's one of the most naturally intelligent people I've ever known. When he says something, you can bet it's been researched...heavily...before he opens his mouth.

Well, most of the time at least. :drinker:

My belief is that if I go to bed on a completely empty stomach my body will consume calories, i.e. fat, while I'm fast asleep even if it's at 50 BPM so that I can stay alive. I just look at it as an BONUS opportunity to supplement my diet and exercise programs.

The thing is, it's not a bonus at all. If you go to bed on an empty stomach then your body will consume fat for fuel. Sure.

What you're missing is that the same thing would happen throughout the day as long as you're eating at a deficit. Your body will use the food you eat and also some of your fat.

If you prefer to stop eating at a certain time, there's nothing wrong with that. Just know that it's about personal preference, and it won't make you lose weight faster.

i dont get this either. it makes no biological sense what so ever because you're body needs as many calories as it needs throughout a 24 hour period. i think people who say stuff like you shouldnt eat after a certain time just fail at science :laugh:

i eat all times of the day and it hasnt hindered my weight loss. i've even had times where i've woken up in the middle asleep was HUNGRY. ran to the fridge and grabbed a handful of strawberries and apiece of cold chicken ate it and went back to sleep

eating at night is no big deal. just don't eat carbs at night. don't eat carbs ever, really. i'm exaggerating, but you get the idea.

Yes, you can eat at night as long as you don't eat junk food. You should be eating every 3 hours or so including at night with no huge meals. It will keep your metabolism working and you have the whole sleeping time to fast. If you have been doing this and you have already lost 64 pounds then it must be okay.

I've spent WAY too much time on these forums today, but I've seen at least 7 people emphatically state that you shouldn't eat x number of hours before you go to bed (x being 2/3 hrs or a cutoff of 7/8pm which I'm assuming translates to 2/3/4 hrs before bed). I will eat a total of 1500 calories today. I'm eating about 650 of those now (it's 9pm where I am), and I'll probably have another 200-300 in my pj's in my bed in a couple of hours. I'll go to "bed" around 11.

This is my daily routine-except I'm eating dinner earlier than usual. I'm not terribly interested in changing my schedule (unless there is a compelling reason to do so)-I'm just curious why I "can't" successfully lose weight eating at night. Since I've seen it posted several times today-I'm hoping someone can chime in and let me know the physiological reasoning behind why eating at night is bad for me.

It doesn't matter when you eat, it's the number of calories you eat. I eat every night and have lost 20lbs.

My belief is that if I go to bed on a completely empty stomach my body will consume calories, i.e. fat, while I'm fast asleep even if it's at 50 BPM so that I can stay alive. I just look at it as an BONUS opportunity to supplement my diet and exercise programs.

The thing is, it's not a bonus at all. If you go to bed on an empty stomach then your body will consume fat for fuel. Sure.

What you're missing is that the same thing would happen throughout the day as long as you're eating at a deficit. Your body will use the food you eat and also some of your fat.

If you prefer to stop eating at a certain time, there's nothing wrong with that. Just know that it's about personal preference, and it won't make you lose weight faster.

I guess my main point is there really is no difference of when you eat. But for me, I prefer that the calories that are burned while I'm sleeping are from by fat *kitten* vs. the food that's in my stomach. So, I consider it BONUS time. To each there own really and just offering a perspective on why some believe that going to bed on an empty stomach is a good thing.

Given the same caloric intake, more *kitten*-calories burned at night just means you burned fewer *kitten*-calories during the day.
The end result is the same.

Given the same caloric intake, more *kitten*-calories burned at night just means you burned fewer *kitten*-calories during the day.
The end result is the same.

Approx how many ounces off *kitten* fat can one expect to burn when burning *kitten* calories?

I am so glad to have found this thread! I've always wondered why people tell you not to eat past dinnertime, but I've also always been a midnight snacker, and haven't been able to get the late-night cravings under control. I still snack late, I just snack healthier now (before-bed oranges). Thank you all for this information and explanations!

But I am under the impression that my calorie burning aliens work 24/7/365. Maybe other people's calorie burning aliens come from another planet where they don't have such a rigorous work schedule?

Apparently, some people have diurnal calorie-burning aliens.

The insulin-fairie, on the other hand? That b!tch never sleeps!

I think it doesn't matter when you eat as long as you stay within your calorie limit. I try to be careful eating too close to bedtime only because I sometimes will get heartburn and/or have trouble sleeping. Whether you opt for the bigger breakfast or saving your calories to eat later at night I think is a matter of personal preference. Just my opinion.

Research says it doesn't matter when you eat your calories. As long as you eat fewer calories overall, you can eat them whenever.