opinions on not eating before bed

I've heard not to eat before bed, and also read things like not to eat after 9. Not eating before bed made sense to me since you are just sleeping and barely doing any physical activity. However yesterday I came across a site where the guy (personal trainer or some fitness guy) said that breakfast is the most important meal because we haven't eaten anything in X amount of hours, and that not eating before bed, or after a certain time is just making you go without food for even longer (eg. no food after 9, bed at 12, wake up at 8 = 11hrs without food). This makes sense to me too. Not to mention our body does a lot of repairing and regenerating while we sleep, wouldn't eating before bed give it the nutrients to do so? Of course it doesn't mean eating a dinner size meal, but seems like a good idea to eat something.

What is everyone else's opinion? How about suggestions on what a good snack would be? I'm thinking something more substantial than just an apple or carrots, in regards to needing nutrients to allow the body to repair during sleep, something with protein?

I've read that protein is, in fact, a smart before bed snack. I can't remember why that is scientifically, though. I usually have a bowl of oatmeal right before sleep, although lately it's been a banana.

I try not to eat too close to bed because it gives me BAD DREAMS,

But I think that one should not eat too close to bed (if they can help it) because that gives your body much needed time to relax. That FASTING period (hence break fast - breaking the fast) is essential to ALLOW your body to perform necessary rebuilding processes.

Like imagine if you were wrecked after a workout, you body would be trying to use MORE energy digesting the food in your belly, not to mention, laying down with a full stomach not being a recommended practise either. 

 

I VOTE NO: on eating before bed, BUT if you ate hungry or what ever, and REALLY want to, I would recommend something with protein. I am a vegan, so you may want to ask someone with similar eating habits what you should eat thats lite and proteiny.

But thats my 2 cents - for what its worth (approx US $0. 015)

Your metabolism is not subject to voting though.

We've just had a go on this particular topic over in the fitness forum - http://www.calorie-count.com/forums/post/6361 0.html turned into a fairly long discussion on the topic.

Well, and some ranting from yours truly.

 Always, always eat something immediately after a hard workout. You need a sharp insulin spike to prevent your body converting muscle protein to glycogen, and you need a substantial amount of protein to let it get started on repairs after the workout. So not getting proper post-workout nutrition means missing out on a lot of of what that workout could have done for your body.

 Always eat breakfast. In the morning, your body has depleted your glycogen stores and may have started burning muscle for fuel. Not eating breakfast makes this situation worse.

Your heart is a muscle, and you need that one.

Getting some protein before bed is a good idea - your body cannot store protein for later use. 3 hours after eating some it's all gone from your bloodstream. Except at night when your digestion is a little slower, so eating just before bed means that your body has available resources through most of the night. 60-90 minutes after you fall asleep your body releases a flood of growth hormone among others, to facilitate msucle repair. If you don't have protein in your system at that point, you've wasted another opportunity to properly repair your body.

 Here's Chris Shugart's long rant on the subject as well. 

 

Being a Diabetic, I must eat before going to bed.  1 carb, 1 protein.