Night Time Meals

Regardless of whether or not you choose to follow the "rule" of not eating too close to bedtime, most have at least heard it said before. But is there actually any truth behind it? Will eating too late in the evening cause you to gain more weight compared to consuming the same meal a few hours earlier? Generally speaking NO. The meal that you eat before bed still contains the same number of calories as it would have three hours prior and it is these calories that fuel the body and contribute to one's weight. With that being said there are however some physiological consequences that occur from eating that may contribute to unfavorable results following late night eating. The time that an individual spends sleeping is used as a recovery period for the body. By eating just prior to sleeping your body is forced to divert some of its energy to the digestion process. This leaves less energy available for the essential rest and recovery required during the sleep process. On nights when this occurs individuals are more likely to sleep less soundly, wake up feeling less rested and be more tired throughout the following day. Hormones that control both hunger and satiety are adversely effected by sleep deprivation. This causes many individuals who suffer from irregular sleeping patterns to eat more throughout the day and as well a never really feeling full, leading to a subsequent gain in weight. Also many times, those eating late at night are also getting fewer total hours of sleep which will make the effects of late eating even worse. If you do choose to eat late in the evening be sure that you are going to be able to receive at least 6 to 8 hours of sleep as well as eat a meal that is easily digestible (low in fat and fiber) to ensure that you body is able to adequately rest as well as do its job digesting your meal.