Today’s lifestyle, with a mostly packed daily schedule, means that the hot meal is increasingly being shifted from midday to the evening, and there again – due to longer working hours or increased leisure time – to the late evening hours. Late-night gluttony is often accompanied by a guilty conscience. Many people think that a sumptuous meal before sleep is particularly seductive. Is a late meal actually unhealthy?
Is eating late at night unhealthy?
Research has shown that it is not the timing of the meal, but rather the total amount of calories consumed each day and the amount of energy expended through exercise that are key factors in influencing body weight. Therefore, people who put the main meal in the evening due to work or other requirements for the daily routine do not have to worry about gaining weight permanently.
To be considered when eating late
Frequent food cravings are usually not well compatible with weight control. Those who eat rather little and irregularly during the day and instead really binge in the evening, driven by ravenous hunger, often consume excessive amounts of calories. Try to eat three to four meals throughout the day. The evening meal is then usually not so lavish and you can enjoy your meal without a guilty conscience.
For some people, eating late at night leads to an impaired night’s sleep. In principle, the digestive organs are not overloaded by a late meal. However, sensitive people do not find sleep after a sumptuous meal. It is literally “heavy in the stomach” for them. Therefore, do not go to bed immediately after the meal, but let the food “set” a little first. Also for this reason, make sure that dinner is not too large.
Tips for a healthy diet
Pay attention to food choices both during the day and in the evening to keep your energy balance even:
- Plenty of fruits, vegetables, cereals, dairy products and fish.
- In moderation meat, sausage and eggs
- Rarely fatty and sweets
