Question:
How harmful is eatting late at night?
I am almost 6 months post op RNY. I know it has always been discouraged for dieting before surgery, but I have to eat 6 times a day. I usually do a protein drink at 6:00, breakfast at 9:00, lunch at 12:00, snack at 3:00, dinner at 6:00. By 9:00 at night I am hungry again, right before going to bed. Should I forgo this snack/meal? Will I burn it off anyway? Any suggestions? I do plan on bringing this up at support group, but that is 2 weeks away. — Heather M. (posted on November 3, 2003)
November 2, 2003
Weight Watchers always told us that a calorie is a calorie and it doesn't
matter when it's eaten. It's probably not a good idea to snack at night
because it becomes a habit, but if your eating your last meal at 6:00 I
personally think that it's perfectly fine to have a snack before bed. I do.
I like sgar free jello with fat free cool whip. Good Luck.
— Kelly* P.
November 2, 2003
Most would frown on the late night snack. All say that it is better to be
a little hungry when you go to bed. That it will increase the amount of
calories burned overnight. I too find that sometimes I get hungry before
bed. I just try to make sure that my snack is very light. Like a cheese
stick or two crackers w/ a bit of peanut butter on it. That will usually
hold me through the night.
— [Deactivated Member]
November 2, 2003
There certainly is disagreement about this, but I would also think that a
calorie is a calorie is a calorie no matter when you eat it, so as long as
your daily calorie intake is within an acceptable range, I don't know that
it hurts to eat before bed. However, I find that it often helps me avoid
eating a snack before bed if I have something warm to drink (decaf tea or
coffee, for instance). That seems to satisfy the hunger pangs long enough
to get me into bed and asleep.
— Vespa R.
November 3, 2003
Like everyone else has said, a calorie is a calorie is a calorie! The hot
tea does wonders (I've been doing this a lot lately) or what about a
protein drink? I do those too!
— Pambylah
November 3, 2003
Some of us need to have a small protein snack before bed to prevent being
awakened by a reactive hypoglycemic reaction. I wait as long as possible
(in other words, I don't eat or graze throughout the evening) and then have
a string cheese stick, or celery with peanut butter or something like that
RIGHT before bed. This actually ensures that I will sleep through the
night. If I don't do this I am often awakened with the heart
pounding/sweating/fuzzy headed reactive hypoglycemia. Then I have to get up
and eat something anyway. So I've learned to just have something right
before I go to bed. It is always something with protein and pretty small.
hugs, Ann RNY 9/10/99 260/124
— [Deactivated Member]
November 3, 2003
and I was just reading the label on one of my protein drink jugs and it
says the best time to drink the whey protein is upon rising in the morning,
immediately after exercise and RIGHT BEFORE BED. Not sure why but sounds
like a protein shake would be a good after dinner thing to do.
— jutymo
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