Does it matter what time of day you eat at?

I was wondering if it matters what time of day you eat at??

and if by eating lets say ...

late at night will you gain weight?? or would it go into your body as being the same as it would when you wake up in the morning???

Well, based on what I've read here- it seems to be all about calories in versus calories out... I usually try to stick with that mindset because I work an overnight desk job and my sleeping schedule isn't always the same day to day so I just focus on my calories and try to eat them all within a 24 hour period. There have been times where I've gone over 24 hours and still have not gotten to my calories, I still eat them anyway because my body needs them and I assume it will all square out in the end?... I'm sure it does affect the digestive system somewhat but that is what I am doing and I am still losing so far.

I usually have my dinner late at night and its my biggest meal. I also workout out between the hours of 8-10pm.  I'm one of those night people tho, hate mornings. I can barely get liquid down my throat when I wake up.

It doesn't matter what time you eat.

The reasoning that I've heard for not eating just before bed is that your body is having to work to digest food when it should be resting. 

The only scenario that might be harmful to your health is consistently eating just once a day, meaning you take in all your needed calories in one huge meal. I know there have been some contradictory studies on this subject, but I personally know several people who followed this routine and ended up with an ulcer.

I feel that it certainly DOES MATTER when you eat!!

Taking in your overall daily calories (based on your Basal Metabolic Rate adjusted for activity level) over several (5-7) small meals per day I have found to be most effective for me.  It nourished the body evenly, keeping blood sugar levels fairly constant.  It lets the body know that more nourishment will come soon, and not to go into a catabolic state.  It eases the burden on the digestive system by not overloading it with only one or two (or even three) massive meals (relatively speaking).  You don't feel hungry because you spread the calories over the whole day basically.  At late night time, the only thing I do take is casein (slow digesting) protein in water, to supply during sleeping hours.

This may work for some people and not others, so it's certainly not gospel, but it makes logical sense to me at least, and it is what I follow as best as possible.

Good luck with your goals and objectives!!

I have heard that the food that you eat right before bed you burn slower, and I have heard that it doesn't matter.  I have read that the food you eat right after working out you burn faster, so that is a good time to eat.

What I really think is that the most important thing is that you eat when you are hungry, until you are not hungry.  For some people, that means 3 squares and a couple of snacks between, for some that is 6-7 small meals evenly spaced.  Whatever helps keep your hunger down.

I personally have to have something every couple of hours, or I sometimes get shaky (and grumpy), though I've never tested positive for hypoglycemia.  It also helps to have a good balance of carbs, fats and proteins for both snacks and meals.

I think everyone needs to find an eating schedule that works for them.  It is probably better not to eat a big meal right before bed, since that can lead to GERD or just heartburn.  Personnally, I prefer to eat a substantial breakfast, 4-500 calories, then a medium lunch, 3-400 calories, and a substantial dinner (whatever I have left) because dinner is my primary social event of the day with my husband, and also when I have the most time to cook.  If I get hungry mid-afternoon I have a snack, something like an apple and a tablespoon of peanut butter.  I never snack mid-morning, and I never snack after dinner.

John Walker (the hacker's diet) lost 70+ pounds eating essentially 1 meal per day some hours after getting up, maybe a light supper.  Different strokes for different folks.  I agree with other posters that the most important thing is to create a calorie deficit, and to eat in a way that minimizes hunger and other crankyness.

thanks  :)

Goodform is right...

It DEFINITELY matters, most people aren't as active at 3 am as they are throughout the day and your metabolism acts accordingly. When your sleeping your body is using less immediate energy, so more tends to get stores. While during the day the food that you eat is being used more more readily.

It's part of the reason why breakfast is so important, eating in the morning gets your metabolism going allowing you to burn more calories throughout the day. When you don't eat, your body doesn't recieve energy and stores what it has (as fat).

The reason it's not great to eat late at night is because your metabolism is slowing down so whatever you just ate isn't going to be used for immediate energy (because you don't need it) so it will instead be stored as fat.

When you eat also concerns what your eating at certain times, Carbs are your bodies most immediate source of energy and are required throughout the day. But at 9 pm when your winding down you won't need that kind of energy. That's why it's a good idea to taper Carbs off as the day goes on. Ideally you want something slow digesting at night (like Casein protein) as it takes along time to be absorbed and isn't stored immediately as fat.

And I realize its hard for alot of people but eating smaller meals throughout the day is much better than 3 large meals, for the same reasons as above. Your body recieves a steady supply of energy and doesn't store as much as fat. Some guy might have lost weight by eating that terrible diet (1 meal a day) but that's very poor for your health and sounds like a bad way to live.

I've noticed for myself that if I eat at night I have a harder time noticing any weight loss. If I don't allow calories after 6/7 PM I do much better.

As long as you have a regular eating schedule, it doesn't matter (source). Calories in vs. Calories out.

Interesting article! Thanks for that input. Most likely I am eating fewer calories overall when I cut off my intake in the early evening. That would account for the realized weight loss and the "calories in - calories out" deal.

Your body does not know hour as per say what time of day it is. So no it does not matter what time of the day you eat. However it does matter if your eating just at bedtime and then go to bed.Your food is going to just sit in your tummy and causing tummy problems. But if you are a person that sleeps day and eat nights and this is regular for you then by all means do this. I myself am a night person and I do this and I lose 2 pounds a week.I think its just important that you do not lay down right after eating for your tummy sake.