[piratemoon]

How long before going to bed should you wait after having eaten carbs? I have a horrid habit of eating late, often starting to cook around 8-9 pm. Plus, I take ages (literally, trust me on this) to eat, so I often don't finish until 10.30. This can't be good, right?

 

[s0ad]

I don't believe its that bad for you to eat before going to bed. I would just try to eat a healthy, light meal so not to upset your stomach and so you won't want to skip breakfast the next day.<br><br><br><br>
I usually take naps after my lunch (biggest meal of the day, most carbs) and I don't gain weight, but am still losing instead.<br><br><br><br>
A lot of times people will feel sleepy after a meal with a lot of carbs anyway, because your body uses a lot of energy to digest it.<br><br><br><br>
People's bodies do vary though, and unless you start gaining weight rapidly I wouldn't worry about it. (-:

 

[taurushead]

never!! carbs rock. i had a huge piece of chocolate mudcake and two pieces of toast (despite having had dinner earlier on) at 1am last night and im still alive

 

[eggplant]

As long as you feel fine and aren't trying to lose weight, there's nothing wrong with eating late. I do it all the time, and even did it when I was losing weight. As long as you're not eating large amounts or eating junk food, eat when you're hungry!

 

[piratemoon]

Thanks for the replies - surely though, I won't be burning off the calories as I should be? Meh, I don't know.<br><br><br><br>
I suppose people's bodies do vary. I haven't gained weight in the past. It was chickpea soup and 4 ryevita last night. Hmm.

 

[specialK12]

i just had 200grams of yoghurt and a handful of cherries , and than still ungey had toast and peanut butter! its going on for 9 pm tonight , dont worry your body will work for you if you just listen!

 

[taurushead]

special k...thats EXACTLY WHAT I HAD! freaky. but its 10, not 9

 

[specialK12]

<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="">)yummmmm

 

[eyeopening]

I saw a study somewhere that disputes the idea that eating before bedtime encourages weight gain. That's a relief since it's my favorite time to eat!<br><br><br><br>
Kristie

 

[piratemoon]

See, I have a horrid tendancy to want to put off eating, or at least I need to plan <i>when</i> I'm eating. Difficulty is, you see, that I take literally FOREVER to eat anything. So if I start eating dinner at 9pm, I don't finish until 10 at the earliest (unless it is something that is really quick to eat), especially if distracted by the internet...I'll research it a bit more, and ask the nutritionist.<br><br><br><br>
Thank you!!!

 

[taurushead]

pirate, i know what you mean! (as usual<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=""><br><br>
but its the calories as a whole that make a difference.<br><br>
plus there are studies that show our body clocks are wired to eat before we sleep because when we were hunters etc we'd be catching things all day then eating, relaxing and sleeping and apparently we absorb minerals etc better from our last meal of the day!! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=""> good news, eh? <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="">

 

[piratemoon]

That is good news indeed taurus! Ok, I feel a bit better about it, but I'm still going to ask.<br><br><br><br>
Thanks!<br><br><br><br>
pirate

 

[piratemoon]

By the way, it seems that it is not a problem to eat before bed if you have reasonable digestion! Woot.<br><br><br><br>
But I asked on the way out the door, I'll check up on it.

 

[LisaP]

Here's what I know. Being diabetic, I can tell you that eating before bed will result in a much higher blood sugar in the morning than if I eat earlier, despite taking the exact same amount of insulin with a meal. Glucose burn off is much less efficient at that time. That higher amount of sugar is either used or stored. When you are active, your body uses glucose for fuel more efficiently. When you are inactive, the cells don't require the energy and you will have a tendency to store it as fat. Some people have very efficient metabolismas (nothing goes to waste) and these are the ones who tend to gain weight easily. People with less efficient metabolisms waste more energy and tend to be thin. So being able to eat before bed is probably an individual thing. Some can, some can't.