When talking with friends and family about eating habits, I found that many people believe that eating before going to sleep contributes to gaining weight. I interviewed Judy Arnet, the clinical nutrition manager at Boone Hospital Center to find out the truth.
“This statement is, in fact, a weight-loss myth. There is no scientific evidence to support this commonly held belief,” Arnet said.
While Arnet could not find any studies directly related to eating before bed and weight gain, her research emphasized what you eat more than when you eat as weight-gain factors. However, the number of meals consumed could play a factor.
“The results indicate weight loss is impacted more by the total calories consumed than by when they are consumed. In addition, eating 4 or 5 small meals per day vs. 1 or 2 large meals tends to support a weight loss diet. If the frequent meals are very calorie-dense (made up of fatty, sugary foods), the reverse (weight gain) could result,” Arnet said.
“The body metabolizes food into nutrients continuously whether the person is awake and active or at rest. Exercise can increase metabolism, thereby increasing weight loss when combined with a reduced calorie healthy diet,” Arnet said.
Filed under: health | Tagged: nutrition, sleeping, weight-loss
