What's the Deal with Late Night Eating?

I recently received a great nutrition question that I think a lot of other people are curious about too:

"I try not to eat past a certain time each night. It seems to help my metabolism. Do you know if this is true?"

As far as night-time eating goes, the time at which you eat is less important than how much. Your body will not store more fat if you eat past a certain hour, however it will respond to the total amount of food and drink you consume in relation to how much energy you expend during a day. Excess calories will be stored as fat over time, regardless of whether they are eaten during the day or night.

Like you, I do find it best to avoid late night eating though as it can set us up for potential weight gain for the following reasons:

•Waiting to eat can lead to consuming larger portion sizes as sometimes our "eyes are bigger than our stomachs" if we go too long without eating.

•If we wait until late to eat after a long day, the quality of our food choices can sometimes be compromised out of convenience... a fast-food burger may seem easier than steaming vegetables and grilling chicken for example when we are super tired.

•Eating late at night can often lead to "Mindless snacking." Whether you are out on the town, or watching a movie curled up at home on the couch, you may be setting yourself up to consume excess calories from fast, sugary options and not even know it.

•Late night eating can also be a health concern as consistent periods of going without food followed by a large meal can negatively impact the interaction between blood sugar and insulin, which can make you more vulnerable to Type 2 diabetes.

So, while late-night calories won't change your metabolism or magically count more than calories consumed earlier during the day, limiting late-night meals and snacks may be a more effective weight management strategy because it can help you better control your overall calorie intake.

Another tip I find helpful is to eat 4 or 5 smaller meals and snacks spread evenly throughout the day so you don't ever become overly hungry at any one time. Eating this way can keep your energy levels consistent and provide some long-term benefits to help you reduce your chances for diabetes or other health issues too.

Bon Appetit,

Your trainer, Ashley