Is eating at night time bad?
- Thread starter Porkchop69
- Start date
if i'm hungry, i eat. i think it depends more on what you eat. i usually have a handful of berries, an apple etc.. if i'm really hungry i'll cook a chicken breast. i hate that gut rott feeling when you're starving. the way i see it, if i'm going to do this for the rest of my life, why torture myself. eating those kinds of things i mentioned above have never hurt my weight in any form.
i've always heard the same thing, that you shouldn't eat at night and you should consume most of your calories before noon. for me that's just not possible. i eat my dinner at around 5 or 6, and by 9 i'm hungry and i try not to eat anything, but sometimes i have to eat a piece of fruit or something so that i can get to sleep.
DeepGreen
New member
Where the whole "eating at night time is bad" thing comes around is that people tend to snack at night. Either it be patato chips, pop corn, soda, chocolate, etc, night time snacking seems to be fairly common.
As Tom mentioned, the difference is small.
I like spreading my meals over a considerable amount of time, and sometimes I do eat an hour or two before I go to bed (especially, if I have to fit in a last minute nutrient I have negelected, like fiber)
If you are prone to snacking at night, then the no eating after 6pm rule would be very benifical for you. But from a weight loss point of view, which several people of mentioned, its based on how much calories you have consumed on a daily basis.
As Tom mentioned, the difference is small.
I like spreading my meals over a considerable amount of time, and sometimes I do eat an hour or two before I go to bed (especially, if I have to fit in a last minute nutrient I have negelected, like fiber)
If you are prone to snacking at night, then the no eating after 6pm rule would be very benifical for you. But from a weight loss point of view, which several people of mentioned, its based on how much calories you have consumed on a daily basis.
It is good to eat with 3-4 hours before you go to bed. If you go to sleep with a full stomach, your brain will be ocuppied with digestion instead of providing you a good night sleep.Other disadvantage: you'll not feel hunger in the morning and this can make you skip breakfast.
phattyinnm
New member
I eat fruits, veggies, air popped popcorn, if I'm hungry at night because they don't stay in your stomach as long as a protien. I know its all about calories per day, but for me with my mental food issues lol I feel better if I eat something I know will empty out of my stomach much faster. I also drink a bunch of water or drink hot spicy tea. I'm up till midnight usually so by 10pm I'm thinking I want to eat.
Night Hunger
Each night i've been more and more hungry at night. I've examined it for boredom, emotional eating, tired eating, etc. I truly am hungry. I've even been drinking 16 ounces of water before eating, and sometimes it works. I'm sure it helps me to eat a bit less.
Is my hunger because I don't eat enough at dinner, or because I work out in the evenings and burn off so many calories? I'm trying to make sure it's not all in my head, but I really think it's hunger. Any tips or suggestions to ward off hunger at night? Or should I even bother? I'm still about 1500 calories a day even with eating at night.
Each night i've been more and more hungry at night. I've examined it for boredom, emotional eating, tired eating, etc. I truly am hungry. I've even been drinking 16 ounces of water before eating, and sometimes it works. I'm sure it helps me to eat a bit less.
Is my hunger because I don't eat enough at dinner, or because I work out in the evenings and burn off so many calories? I'm trying to make sure it's not all in my head, but I really think it's hunger. Any tips or suggestions to ward off hunger at night? Or should I even bother? I'm still about 1500 calories a day even with eating at night.
Hey again Jolie!
You might need to re-examine your calorie intake. Are you getting enough for your height/weight/gender/age/activity level? 1500 would seem alright for most women, unless you are quite large or you have a lot of activity.
You need to rate the foods you eat based on how full they make you per calorie. For example, my whole-grain bread + lean turkey sandwich for lunch is about 250 calories, and it is really filling. Why? Protein. It makes you full. Your body LOVES protein. It has tons of uses. Try getting a little more lean protein if hunger strikes. 4 slices healthy choice turkey is under 100 calories.
What to avoid: SUGAR. It's the root of all evil.
When you eat a sugar snack, it causes a spike in blood sugar, and then afterwards a steep low, which makes you hungry all over again for more sugar. Try to reduce your intake of it in all its forms: regular breads, potatoes, sugar drinks, rice, etc.
As for exercise, you do need to eat some after it. Your glycogen stores are reduced a lot when you exercise hard enough to get your heart racing. A trick I've heard is to wait for 30 mins or so after you work out and then have a snack. When your glycogen runs out, your body uses fat for fuel. But if you let it go for too long without additional fuel, your body goes into survival mode and slows down.
But you need to pick a point in time when you won't eat any more for the night. You might feel a bit hungry an hour or two before bed, but as long as your daily needs are met your body should switch to fat for energy for the time being. Just think about it - your fat is disappearing. It's worth a little hunger, I think.
These things work for me, but we're all different. Listen to your body, and make sure you are hydrated before & after workouts.
mathmajor
You might need to re-examine your calorie intake. Are you getting enough for your height/weight/gender/age/activity level? 1500 would seem alright for most women, unless you are quite large or you have a lot of activity.
You need to rate the foods you eat based on how full they make you per calorie. For example, my whole-grain bread + lean turkey sandwich for lunch is about 250 calories, and it is really filling. Why? Protein. It makes you full. Your body LOVES protein. It has tons of uses. Try getting a little more lean protein if hunger strikes. 4 slices healthy choice turkey is under 100 calories.
What to avoid: SUGAR. It's the root of all evil.
When you eat a sugar snack, it causes a spike in blood sugar, and then afterwards a steep low, which makes you hungry all over again for more sugar. Try to reduce your intake of it in all its forms: regular breads, potatoes, sugar drinks, rice, etc.As for exercise, you do need to eat some after it. Your glycogen stores are reduced a lot when you exercise hard enough to get your heart racing. A trick I've heard is to wait for 30 mins or so after you work out and then have a snack. When your glycogen runs out, your body uses fat for fuel. But if you let it go for too long without additional fuel, your body goes into survival mode and slows down.
But you need to pick a point in time when you won't eat any more for the night. You might feel a bit hungry an hour or two before bed, but as long as your daily needs are met your body should switch to fat for energy for the time being. Just think about it - your fat is disappearing. It's worth a little hunger, I think.
These things work for me, but we're all different. Listen to your body, and make sure you are hydrated before & after workouts.
mathmajor
I eat at 8:30 a.m. a slice of wheat toast with butter substitute. Total of 80 calories.
I eat a snack at 10:30, usually strawberries or something healthy, 100 calories or less.
Sometimes gym at 11:30 for 1 hour of spinning (at least 1000 calories down)
I aim for lunch at 12:30, about 300 calories
Snack at 3:00 100 calories or less.
Gym at 4:30 (1 hour of spinning at least 1000 calories down)
Supper at 6:00, usually about 500-700 calories.
That adds up to between 1100 and 1300 calories.
If I eat at about 8:30, a small snack about 100-150 calories.
That adds up to about 1200 and 1450 calories.
I also don't get how to calculate my calories burned during the day and how that works with losing weight. Any tips?
I eat a snack at 10:30, usually strawberries or something healthy, 100 calories or less.
Sometimes gym at 11:30 for 1 hour of spinning (at least 1000 calories down)
I aim for lunch at 12:30, about 300 calories
Snack at 3:00 100 calories or less.
Gym at 4:30 (1 hour of spinning at least 1000 calories down)
Supper at 6:00, usually about 500-700 calories.
That adds up to between 1100 and 1300 calories.
If I eat at about 8:30, a small snack about 100-150 calories.
That adds up to about 1200 and 1450 calories.
I also don't get how to calculate my calories burned during the day and how that works with losing weight. Any tips?
lukewarm
New member
Ok I HATED my first protein shake. I used Winn-dixie brand vanilla protein powder which was a terrible mistake. Then Blancita recommended GNC brand whey protein powder and I liked it a little bit better, but it was difficult for me to drink it. Tonight I used 1 cup frozen blueberries, 1 cup frozen raspberries, 1 cup vanilla soy milk, and 1 scoop (28 grams) of unflavored whey protein powder. Blended it together, and it was delicious. It wasn't chalky (I hate that too) and I was surprised at how much I liked it, it reminds me of a parfait, light and creamy yet filling.
sirant
New member
Hmmmm
Your calorie intake seems awfully low for someone working out like you do and you do appear to be lacking protein. I know personally I would be gnawing my own arm off with a diet like that. One thing I found helps a lot is beefing up the morning meal. Since I have started eating oatmeal for breakfast it has made a huge difference in my apetite all through the day, then at my evening meal I make sure protein is a big part of the calories. I used to suffer from incredible night time hunger and I only recently realized it was because I wasnt giving my body enough of what it needed throughout the day. I know it is tough to eat more when we are trying to lose weight. The consensus seems to be eat as little as possible to lose weight as quickly as possible. Of course, as many of us here now know, this may help shed the pounds more quickly, but then when the hunger gets the best of us we over-eat and binge, thus destroying all of that effort to date. Most of us should be thinking at changing our eating habits for life, not just the short term instant gratification of losing a few pounds. I know I would really be suffering if I had to look at a single piece of toast as the meal that broke my daily 8 hour fast every morning (sleep) for the rest of my life.
But really, based on what you said about your food intake of 1100-1400 calories a day and the exercise, there is no wonder in my mind at all that you are suffering from hunger at night. IMO too many people look for the fastest solution, being eating as little as physically possible, and not at the big picture of losing weight in a healthy and sustainable fashion.
Can you really picture yourself eating 1100 calories a day for the rest of your life? Woudln't you rather learn to eat a healthy and balanced diet now, while losing weight, if at a slower pace? A single piece of toast and then some fruit is hardly enough to feed your poor body after 7-8 hours of sleep. You are making your bosy wait more than 12 hours to get any protein or real energy at all. Its no wonder you are so hungry later! Your body wants to bulk up before you sleep since it knows it is going to be half a day before it gets any real food again!
I dont know your current weight or size, but seems to me anyone eating your diet is not only going to suffer from serious hunger, but may well be damaging their own best efforts in the long run. I went the route you did, and ate like a bird throught the day then suffered at night. I know all about it. Now that I eat more than 2000 calories a day I am losing weight like never before and am actually achieving my goals, something I never experienced when I was eating 1000-1400 a day.
sirant
Your calorie intake seems awfully low for someone working out like you do and you do appear to be lacking protein. I know personally I would be gnawing my own arm off with a diet like that. One thing I found helps a lot is beefing up the morning meal. Since I have started eating oatmeal for breakfast it has made a huge difference in my apetite all through the day, then at my evening meal I make sure protein is a big part of the calories. I used to suffer from incredible night time hunger and I only recently realized it was because I wasnt giving my body enough of what it needed throughout the day. I know it is tough to eat more when we are trying to lose weight. The consensus seems to be eat as little as possible to lose weight as quickly as possible. Of course, as many of us here now know, this may help shed the pounds more quickly, but then when the hunger gets the best of us we over-eat and binge, thus destroying all of that effort to date. Most of us should be thinking at changing our eating habits for life, not just the short term instant gratification of losing a few pounds. I know I would really be suffering if I had to look at a single piece of toast as the meal that broke my daily 8 hour fast every morning (sleep) for the rest of my life.
But really, based on what you said about your food intake of 1100-1400 calories a day and the exercise, there is no wonder in my mind at all that you are suffering from hunger at night. IMO too many people look for the fastest solution, being eating as little as physically possible, and not at the big picture of losing weight in a healthy and sustainable fashion.
Can you really picture yourself eating 1100 calories a day for the rest of your life? Woudln't you rather learn to eat a healthy and balanced diet now, while losing weight, if at a slower pace? A single piece of toast and then some fruit is hardly enough to feed your poor body after 7-8 hours of sleep. You are making your bosy wait more than 12 hours to get any protein or real energy at all. Its no wonder you are so hungry later! Your body wants to bulk up before you sleep since it knows it is going to be half a day before it gets any real food again!
I dont know your current weight or size, but seems to me anyone eating your diet is not only going to suffer from serious hunger, but may well be damaging their own best efforts in the long run. I went the route you did, and ate like a bird throught the day then suffered at night. I know all about it. Now that I eat more than 2000 calories a day I am losing weight like never before and am actually achieving my goals, something I never experienced when I was eating 1000-1400 a day.
sirant
Try googling "resting metabolic rate" to see how much your body burns by itself. You'll be surprised, I bet. Then add in what you do at the gym (is it really 1000 calories? that's an awful lot!). That's your total daily expenditure.
Subtract that from what you eat. The goal is to make the difference be something like 500-1000 more burned than you eat.
When you up calories, don't pick higher calorie foods. Eat more healthy stuff!
And breakfast! Eat till you're full at breakfast.
^^^ I agree totally with the previous posters. Including me. haha.
Subtract that from what you eat. The goal is to make the difference be something like 500-1000 more burned than you eat.
When you up calories, don't pick higher calorie foods. Eat more healthy stuff!
And breakfast! Eat till you're full at breakfast.
^^^ I agree totally with the previous posters. Including me. haha.
CoachCrimson
New member
there really isnt anything wrong with eating at night, and *gasp* even with eating right before bed. as long as it fits into your daily caloric needs and you are maintaining an overall calorie deficit over time, you will be fine. I also wouldn't recommend doing anything that would seriously spike the blood sugar levels right before bed either, so a good source of lean protein and some healthy fats with a small amount of complex carbs is quite beneficial before bed. remember, youre still burning plenty of calories while you sleep, and you aren't eating during that time. Doing what you can to keep your blood sugar levels stable 24/7 is a great way to physiologically fight off hunger. Your breakfast can lend to this as well by fighting the overnight fast with a good source of complex carbs and some protein. it will fuel the body, and get the sugar levels stable again.
Thanks. I don't feel like I'm eating like a bird, though. I am actually eating a lot more often than I used to, but I thought I was making more nutritious choices.
I use a heart rate monitor at the gym. I've put my weight and age in there, so I'm told by my trainers that it's accurate. I thought that it was a lot, too, but it's based on formulas according to heart rate, time, weight, age, etc.
I am going to try to up my protein. I just have to go grocery shopping again because I have nothing that contains protein except turkey, chicken, beef, etc. I never really thought about protein till now.
I use a heart rate monitor at the gym. I've put my weight and age in there, so I'm told by my trainers that it's accurate. I thought that it was a lot, too, but it's based on formulas according to heart rate, time, weight, age, etc.
I am going to try to up my protein. I just have to go grocery shopping again because I have nothing that contains protein except turkey, chicken, beef, etc. I never really thought about protein till now.
I think you need to add more protein too Jolie. Whenever I want to eat the entire kitchen at night, I realize that I have tried to get away in the day with veggies, etc. and no protein. Keep it low fat and experiment with amounts. One hard-boiled egg is only about 80 calories but don't eat one every day. Go to the aisle in the store that has canned beans and find a mixed variety. Drain and rinse since it is full of salt. Then add some flavour, like cilantro, a bit of hot sauce, some minced shallot, and whatever else you like for spices and/or herbs. Keep it in the fridge and add to salads and things during the day. I think you will find that you will be less hungry at night. There are lots of varieties of proteins. A bit of canned salmon to a salad, or a bit on a piece of flatbread--like Wasa or Ryecrisp? I started my usual rampage through the kitchen tonight, and thanks to you, and this thread, I curbed it. I took a piece of sesame flatbread and put some horseradish/dijon mustard on it. Then I added one slice of oven roasted turkey breast (from the deli of course) and a couple of slices of tomato. This couldn't have been more than about 100 calories, if that, and it is now bedtime for me and I am fine. Huge difference.
Good controlling your cravings wen, glad to be of service.
Breakfast this morning-- orange juice, banana, 2 slices of whole wheat toast with 1 tbsp peanut butter, 1 tsp honey. not sure about the calorie or protein or fiber count, but it has to be better than a piece of toast with butter sub. I feel so full.
Breakfast this morning-- orange juice, banana, 2 slices of whole wheat toast with 1 tbsp peanut butter, 1 tsp honey. not sure about the calorie or protein or fiber count, but it has to be better than a piece of toast with butter sub. I feel so full.
ElenaDragon
New member
My husband likes the Designer brand whey protein powder (not chalky). He puts it in smoothies, so I'm not sure how it would taste mixed up in water or milk. Recently I started using Healthy N' Fit egg white protein powder (since I can't have whey), also vanilla. First I tried it mixed up in almond milk and it was yummy! I imagine it would taste just as good in regular milk. Not chalky at all. This morning I tried it in water... not as good since it was thinner, but still drinkable. I think I'm going to stick to the almond milk mix though.
Since I can't have dairy or red meat, all my protein comes from egg whites, chicken/turkey, and fish. I hard boil eggs and eat just the whites. I also have at least one serving of lean meat a day (grilled chicken sandwich or some form of canned tuna usually). Now I've added the egg white protein powder and I'm getting 60+ grams of protein a day easily.
Since I can't have dairy or red meat, all my protein comes from egg whites, chicken/turkey, and fish. I hard boil eggs and eat just the whites. I also have at least one serving of lean meat a day (grilled chicken sandwich or some form of canned tuna usually). Now I've added the egg white protein powder and I'm getting 60+ grams of protein a day easily.