So I've heard from several people that it's bad to eat after a certain time...like 7:30 or 8pm. My schedule is so hectic that I usually get home around 7pm or later and I want to eat dinner at this time. If I eat healthy food is it still bad to eat after a certain time at night? Is this because you just sit around and the calories aren't used?
A mere venal sin. Have at it.
That is all garbage. Calories in and calories out are what matters. The thought behind not eating afer a certain time is that you will be hungry in the morninig and eat breakfast. By eating earlier in the day, there is a better chance you will not get overly hungry and overeat later in the day thereby staying fat like most of america.
If you can't eat earlier you obviously have no choice. Eating earlier may be a bit better, but timing isn't going to subvert the laws of thermodynamics and make you fat.
Also, it depends on when you typically go to sleep. In addition, keep in mind that this advice is probably most relevant for sedentary people watching TV on the couch while munching on chips and cookies.
Thanks for the advice. I just feel like I need to drop a few pounds and I'm not sure about how to do it. Exercise isn't the problem. I work out between 2-4 hours a day but I just seem to get to a certain weight and body fat composition and get stuck. Any other tips???
Just keep putting in the mileage and make sure you're lifting. After about 5-6 weeks of consistant high mileage, it should just come off. Or, be anorexic. I've given up on the anorexic thing. I just get too hungry. But, I do need to stop 5 pounds in the next 3 weeks... any advice?
When I was in the best shape of my life I used to wake up at 3am and drink a protein shake almost every night.
Keep away from processed foods. Increase your intake of fruits and veggies (maybe I should reverse order) and whole (unmilled) grains. Minimize oils and sugar in your diet. Keep meat portions small. The weight should come off. (Note: if you have diabetes or other conditions, check with doc/nutritionist before adjusting your diet.)
I read once that a sumo coach made guys who he thought needed to gain weight eat massive meals (mostly rice with sugar) just before going to bed.
That said, I usually have dinner betw. 9-10 PM. I try to keep it small, but not always. And I am very, very skinny.
CalTracksta,
Some good answers here so far, but none is EXACTLY right.
Here's the real deal.
1) As far as calories go, it matters not (in any significant way) when you eat them.
2) The advice to not eat after 8 p.m. (or within three hours of going to bed) is for people who need to lose weight or have a hard time holding a healthy weight. Why? Keep reading.
3) It is just simply NOT necessary for a person to eat so close to their bed time. You are about to go to sleep, and you don't need a full stomach. If you're starving before bed, a big ol' glass of water will help with that. If you think of food as fuel, then way gas yourself up before you put the car in the garage? It makes no sense. Some people (usually those who've never had a weight problem) will say that you eat when you are hungry and you don't eat when you aren't hungry. That is BAD advice for those with a weight problem. If you need to lose weight, sometimes you just can't eat when you're hungry. The hunger pangs will slowly go away as you eat a more moderate amount and you cut out eating at night - I know - I had that problem and I got rid of it - going from 181 pounds to 133, and my main problem was eating after dinner and not eating breakfast (and eating too much in between too of course).
4) Most of the time when you go to bed hungry, you wake up NOT hungry. At least you're not hungry right away. Eating breakfast is always a good idea, but it is NOT the reason the advice is given to not eat before bed time.
5) If you are usually hungry before bed and you eat before bed, it will be hard to quit the habit if you need to. If you are healthy and of a healthy weight, then I wouldn't worry about it. But, if you do need to quit doing it, you'll notice it will be hard at first and then get easier. A lot of it is mental. Just tell yourself that dinner is the last thing you'll eat that night, and then do that. Now if you eat dinner at 6 p.m. but don't normally go to bed until 1 a.m., you'll need to rethink how to do that.
Gee Thanks Dr. Flagpole for your EXACTLY right answer. We are all enlightened.
Kadence wrote:
Gee Thanks Dr. Flagpole for your EXACTLY right answer. We are all enlightened.
Glad to be of service. You're welcome.
Avoid high GI carbs before going to bed. The reason people recommend not eating a large evening meal is because this is where many people eat juuuust a little too much. Over time it creates a cal in > cal out surplus.
If the furnace is hot enough, anything will burn...including Big Macs
When nothing else works, longer Sunday runs alays seemed to melt the pounds off.
If you are a gremlin then don't eat then...also don't take showers because you will spawn more gremlins...
otherwise if you are doing the miles you need to eat when you feel hungry.