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