When you want to lose weight, one of the first things you plan to banish is late-night snacking. While many people believe that eating before bed can make you gain weight, it actually works the other way around.
In fact, hitting the snack drawer on an empty stomach could be one of the reasons it takes you so long to burn off that stubborn belly fat. We also used to avoid bedtime snacks for fear of gaining weight. But we’ll definitely opt for a delicious late-night bowl of cereal after doing this research.
Is Eating Before Bed Good for You, or Bad?
It Might Help You Lose Weight
If you’re looking for a late-night snack, we’ve got good news for you. Eating a small, healthy snack before bed can really help you shed a few extra pounds. Many people believe that a slower metabolism during sleep causes you to gain weight, but in reality, your metabolism is very high at night and your body needs a lot of energy while you sleep.
In fact, having a snack after dinner can help you curb your hunger and prevent overeating. Studies have shown that eating just a bowl of cereal and milk 90 minutes after dinner can help you lose an average of 1.85 pounds.
You May Sleep Better
Going to bed on an empty stomach can keep you up at night, and not getting enough sleep can have some unpleasant consequences, including weight gain and heart disease. Instead of starving yourself, opt for a light and healthy snack before bed to enjoy quality sleep.
It Helps To Keep Your Blood Sugar In Balance
Many people can’t start the day without a hot cup of coffee because low blood sugar makes them feel exhausted, no matter how many hours they’ve slept.
People with diabetes may wake up in the morning with high blood sugar even if they haven’t eaten before bedtime, and other people may have low blood sugar at night, which disrupts sleep.
If you are familiar with any of these symptoms, try eating a small snack in the evening to balance your blood sugar.
It Might Help You Maintain Muscle Mass
You can spend hours in the gym and lift weights several times a week, but going to bed on an empty stomach can sabotage all of your efforts.
If you’re hungry before bed, your body can keep you mentally alert, which in turn will affect your metabolism and decrease your body’s ability to convert protein into muscle.
Are you a late-night snack? What do you usually eat before bed?
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