Is eating before bed good or bad? Is there a specific time to stop eating? Will eating before bed prevent fat loss? This article is aimed to provide information on whether or not it is a good idea to eat before bed if weight loss is the goal. Keep in mind that this is article is providing information and is not to substitute or replace medical advice. Always seek a professional opinion when changing dietary habits to prevent illness.
Biochemical Individuality
There is a book written by Roger J. Williams, Ph.D. called Biochemical Individuality which concludes that certain lifestyles may not work for all people but could work wonderfully for others. In reference to diet and eating before bed, this book suggests that there is no ‘all for one’ fix. Since all persons respond to different environments, foods, medications differently, there is no way to determine what time one person should stop eating to lose weight, in comparison to another person. There are a million different reasons why some people can eat large meals before bed and not gain weight, and some can’t. It is all based upon genes, lifestyle and many other factors. You can read more about Biochimical Individuality by following this link.
Sleep Quality
Another important factor to consider before you decide to ‘chow down’ before bed is the quality of sleep that you have on a full stomach. Again, considering Biochemical Individuality, some people find it very difficult to sleep on an empty stomach, and some people can not sleep at all on a full stomach. It may take some experimentation, but as long as your can get a good nights sleep, that is a very important step towards lasting weight loss.
The Hormone Factor
Eat to optimize your hormone production. Another great book to read in order to assist with deciding if eating before bed is right or wrong for you would be The Hormone Factor by Ralph Moorman. This book presents some interesting research and information that suggests that weight gain is directly linked to imbalanced hormones. For some people, eating before bed could make or break hormone production. You can request hormone tests from your doctor or clinic in the event that you suspect your hormones are out of balance and causing weight gain.
Calorie Surplus
Having a calorie surplus is often the culprit that leads to weight gain. Using tools like ‘My Fitness Pal’ or other similar calorie counting/meal planning software can greatly assist when trying to determine if eating before bed is a good or bad idea. Generally speaking, if you are eating enough calories for your body based upon weight and height during the day, adding extra calories at night could in theory prevent weight loss or worse cause weight gain.
Daily Diary
Keeping a daily diary of sleep time, meal time and meal type is not only a great idea – it could greatly assist you in determining how eating at night affects your body specifically. Make sure to document how you feel upon waking up and review what time you ate last. How were your energy levels throughout the day. Did you consume enough calories?
Although it may seem like a hassle, taking an extra five minutes a day to record your eating habits can greatly assist in your weight loss and fit body endeavours. You can even focus each entry on three simple topics to minimize your time spent on a nutritional diary. Focus on the basics like sleep, food, mood for best results.
Carb Backloading
Lastly, if you are serious about discovering the effects of eating before bed, you may want to research Carb Backloading. Simply put, this is a practice where one eats most or all of their daily carbohydrates late in the day. Some people swear by this method, they even eat junk food. However, since most people are not just seeking fat loss, but general health, consuming junk food before bed is not the best approach to weight loss and optimum nutrition.
To conclude, it takes a lot of practice but with persistence and the right amount of research, you can certainly prove if eating before bed works for your body to promote the most fit and fabulous you.
Kaeli has always had an infatuation with keeping fit and improving life. Whether it is strength training, endurance building, or self-study research, she has devoted endless hours to them all. Her interest in health started at an early age. From swim competitions to long distance running, she discovered that keeping fit is an integral part of her life. After being diagnosed with... Read More
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