Is It Bad To Eat Before Sleeping?

2024 Author: Steven Freeman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 08:15

Should you eat or not before sleeping? That is a question that can cause us sleeplessness. Experts respond! According to Southern Living magazine, we are often in doubt as to whether or not we should eat before going to bed. Sometimes we don't have dinner in the afternoon because we are very busy and we get hungry very late. We have all heard the warning that your metabolism slows down at night and you should not eat too late. However, there are several factors to consider before eating that bite that we crave at night.

1. Pay attention to your body. Your body sends you the correct signals and it is important to recognize when you are hungry. Nutrition expert Erin Jennings of New York University Langone Medical Center (NYU) says, "Your body is perfectly capable of digesting and absorbing food at any time of the day." According to Jennings, ignoring hunger can result in a more serious problem, such as creating the tendency to overeat or feel negative food-related emotions.

2. Don't choose a million calorie feast. If you are going to eat at night, the most important thing is to choose a healthy meal. Most people don't want to sin with a late-night meal that makes them fat. According to Nutrients magazine, the nutritional value of your food is more important than the time you eat. It's better not to go for a pizza, hamburger, or spicy taco at midnight. "Large portions of high-fat or very spicy foods can worsen conditions such as indigestion or acid reflux," adds Jennings. She recommends choosing a lighter dinner like a lentil soup, a sandwich or a fruit smoothie.

3. Consider the risks. If you have type I diabetes, stopping eating in the afternoon can be dangerous to your health and cause hypoglycemia. However, an obese person may benefit from not eating at night. A study on nutrition conducted in 2016 reveals that the hours we eat during the day do affect weight loss. Courtney Peterson, PhD, explained: “If you eat for a shorter window of time than you are used to (from 8 am to 2 pm, for example), this can help you lose weight by increasing the body's ability to burn fat and the protein."

What is the bottom line? Instead of punishing yourself by starving, you can eat at night, but choose a small meal, rich in protein and low in fat.