01/5 Can eating after 8 pm lead to weight gain?
01/5 When you are on a mission to shed kilos, what you eat is as vital as when you eat them. Eating on time helps to digest the food properly, boosts metabolism and eventually helps you drop some kilos. In the morning, it is always recommended to have a large breakfast within an hour after you wake up, while in the evening, a light and early meal is considered key to shedding kilos faster. It is widely believed that eating late at night can actually sabotage your weight loss goals and will also lead to weight gain. Here we have tried to find out if there is any shred of truth in this claim.
02/5 Does eating late make you gain weight?
According to a study published in the British Journal of Nutrition, there is no link found between the timing of the meal and weight gain. The study carried out by a team of researchers from King’s College London examined the eating habits of more than 1500 children using data from UK’s National Diet and Nutrition Survey Rolling Programme collected between 2008 and 2012. They evaluated the data to find the link between evening meal timing and the increased risk of overweight or obesity. At the end of the study, they did not find any connection between eating late at night and weight gain.
03/5 Why is eating late at night considered bad?
It is not the timing that is an issue, but the food choices and quantity that lead to weight gain at night. The long time gap between lunch and dinner makes you eat more at night. You lose track of the amount of food you are having and end up eating more calories than you should.
The second problem is that at night people are more prone to making bad food choices. When you are hungry you crave unhealthy food and it is hard to resist the temptation when you are famished. Carbonated drinks, salty snacks and sweet treats contain lots of calories and can easily lead to weight gain.
Emotional eating is another factor leading to bad food choices at night. Out of stress, boredom or anxiety, most people tend to eat more than they usually do. The worst part is they don’t even realise that they are stress eating and it will harm their health.
04/5 Other dangers of eating a heavy meal at night
Poor food choices and consuming too many calories can not only lead to weight gain but can also lead to some other health issues. Taking a heavy and fat loaded meal close to bedtime might lead to the problem of indigestion. You may feel uncomfortable and bloated at night, which will also impact the quality of your sleep. Moreover, on the other day, you may feel more cranky and sleepy.
05/5 What should you do when trying to shed kilos?
It is not necessary to eat early at night to shed kilos. Set your eating schedule as per your circadian rhythm. For better digestion and peaceful sleep at night eat your meal 2 hours before hitting the bed. Also, choose nutrient-dense food and keep track of your daily calorie count.
