If you’re struggling to maintain a healthy weight or break through a weight-loss plateau and lose those last pounds, you might be thinking it has to do with your evening eating habits. There are certain bedtime routines that you do each night to wind down for bed that you may think could be causing sneaky weight gain—like staying up late and snacking. But, as it turns out, there are certain myths about late-night eating that health experts want to clear up. Meaghan Greenwood, a registered nutritionist and health coach at Hourglass Waist, says that two common late-night eating myths are that eating late at night will automatically cause weight gain and consuming carbohydrates at night will lead to weight gain. Find out more about these debunked myths below!
READ MORE: A Nutritionist Tells Us How To Stop Nighttime Overeating
1. Myth: Eating Late At Night Will Cause Weight Gain
This myth has been around for years. While some people swear that their late-night eating habits cause them to gain weight, this isn't necessarily true. Your body doesn't process food differently at different times of the day.
"There is no evidence that consuming food at night causes weight gain. What matters is the number of calories you consume throughout the day, not the time of day you consume them. It's true that some people may eat more at night because they're bored or stressed, but that doesn't mean eating at night causes weight gain," Greenwood says. "It's the overconsumption of calories, not the timing of meals, that leads to weight gain." So, it's really the total amount of calories that you eat, and how much you exercise during the day (like how many miles you walk!), that is really affecting your weight. But, it's also important to note that many people do tend to overeat and choose high-calorie foods to snack on at night, both of which will cause weight gain.
2. Myth: Consuming Carbohydrates At Night Will Lead To Weight Gain
Another big weight loss myth that you probably hear all the time, is that if you eat carbs at night, it will automatically cause weight gain. However, this is nothing further from the truth. Carbohydrates are actually an essential macronutrient that your body needs to perform at its best. In fact, consuming carbs at night can actually help reduce stress, build muscle, and burn fat.
"Carbohydrates are an essential macronutrient, and they don't cause weight gain when consumed at night. What matters is the total number of calories consumed throughout the day, not the type of food or the timing of meals," Greenwood notes. "In fact, some research suggests that consuming carbohydrates at night may actually help with weight loss, as it can promote better sleep quality, which is associated with a lower risk of obesity." So, carbs can help play an important role when it comes to reducing stress, which would potentially limit cravings, and overeating, and help induce better sleep.
Bottom Line
Now we know what late-night eating habits aren't detrimental to weight gain, so what mistakes can actually cause weight gain? Greenwood says that consuming high-calorie foods and drinking alcohol late at night can actually lead to weight gain.
"Consuming high-calorie foods at night can lead to weight gain because these foods tend to be energy-dense and can easily push you over your daily calorie needs. Furthermore, high-calorie foods are often low in nutrients, which means you're consuming calories without getting the necessary vitamins and minerals your body needs," she explains. Meanwhile, drinking alcoholic beverages late at night can also lead to weight gain like stomach rolls because, she says, "alcohol is high in calories and can disrupt sleep, which can negatively impact metabolic health." And, drinking alcohol late at night can also lead you to make poor food choices and overconsumption of high-calorie foods, which Greenwood warns "can contribute to weight gain."
At the end of the day, health experts like Greenwood emphasize that eating late at night and consuming carbs in the evening will not cause weight loss, as commonly believed. In some cases, eating late at night can actually help with weight loss. However, eating late at night can increase the likelihood of snacking on calorie-laden foods. So, what matters is your total calorie intake and how much you exercise during the day.
READ MORE: 3 Morning Mistakes That Doctors Say Make Inflammation And Weight Gain So Much Worse
