Why don't you eat before bedtime? 6 convincing evidence
We tell you that good and bad in food before going to bed, and that you can eat when you really want to.
Is it harmful before bedtime? This is a controversial topic. Whether it’s a late dinner or midnight snack, most likely you heard different opinions. We tell you that good and bad in food before going to bed, and that you can eat when you really want to.
Why can't you eat before bedtime?
One of the main reasons is the violation of circadian rhythm. It is known that at different times of the day, our body has an unequal sensitivity to insulin. In the morning, it reaches the lower mark. This is necessary in order to nourish the body without harmful consequences. However, our resistance to insulin is aggravated at night. As a result, excess calories coming from a late dinner or snack are deposited in the form of fat, and not used as fuel. The body simply does not have time to digest food before bedtime.
Another reason that there is bad at night is the tendency to make less healthy decisions on what to eat before bedtime. As a rule, in the late evening we want to generously reward ourselves for the work done during the day. Therefore, we give preference to the most high -calorie foods, such as chips, cookies and ice cream.
Is there an alternative?
Ideally, there is no need to eat before bedtime. But we will be honest: we do not always have the opportunity to observe this rule. Maybe the work makes us go to bed late, or the meal schedule is broken, and you need to eat something. If you are really hungry, then steamed or raw vegetables are best suited. For example, carrots with hummus or broccoli. If you want something sweet, there are options that will not do much harm: an apple with a tablespoon of peanut oil or a small piece of dark chocolate.
Such a snack will provide your body with protein and a small amount of healthy fat, and also give a feeling of satiety. It is equally important to think about the amount of food eaten. For example, when we are in the grip of stress, we can thoughtlessly absorb food from a large container, watching a TV. So, even if you break and choose something extremely inappropriate, limit yourself to a small portion, and not a whole box or bag.
What definitely should be avoided before bedtime?
If you want to sleep well, give up everything that contains a large amount of fat and sugar. And you need to be especially careful with caffeine and alcohol. These products not only violate sleep, but also plays a huge role in weight gain.
When to say "Stop"?
The best strategy is not three hours before bedtime. Thus, you will have enough time to digest the last portion of food. Therefore, you will not go to bed with a feeling of hunger and will not become a victim of restless sleep.
