BIG-web-logo
SIGN UP
night
April 15, 2019

Will eating late at night make me put on weight?

Nutrition, Weight loss, Overeating

It is a pretty common misconception that eating late at night will automatically result in weight gain. Luckily, for all of you night owls, this is a myth that actually stems from studies originally done on mice.

However, we aren’t mice. Our genetic makeup is completely different and so we shouldn’t think our bodies function the same. Some believe that it is because your metabolism slows down at night as your body prepares itself to sleep that you are more likely to put on weight at night.

Whilst has an element of truth, your metabolism does not completely stop the moment you head to sleep. You still burn energy whilst you are asleep and your metabolism actually only slows down by about 15% during the night. This is not enough to make you more likely to gain fat by eating later at night compared to during the day. 

Some other studies have also shown that whilst eating at night and weight gain are not directly linked, people who do eat late at night are more likely to consume more calories during the day. This may occur for a number of reasons, for example at night there may be fewer healthier options available, but most importantly, eating between dinner and the time you head to sleep essentially adds another meal into your day. More meals in the day means more calories and thus it becomes harder for you to enter your calorie deficit for that given day.

A calorie is still a calorie no matter what time of the day it is.

Some people may find that eating late at night can cause them to experience restless sleep, indigestion and heartburn, however this is just something that you will have to work out for yourself and affects everyone differently.

In short, no. Eating late at night does not directly link to weight gain. If you are someone who perhaps works late or has late night commitments, there is no need to panic. Instead, just make sure that you are prepared and always have a healthy food option available and are always aiming to stay within that calorie deficit for the day and you will not be gaining any additional weight.

 

30-day-kickstart-stacked-1
Do you feel intimidated by normal gyms?

The big box impersonal gyms leave you feeling awkward, and lacking motivation to lose weight and get fit.

The Training Gyms is for men and women who want to lose weight, get fit but don't want to do it in a normal big box gym.

We know it's important. We just don't know where to start.

 

 

 

Join 30-Day Kickstart
Mobile-menu