For years, there is this myth going around where people think that eating after 19:00 is harmful to the body and that all you’ve eating after 19:00 will be stored as bodyfat. Even though most people become less active as the day goes on, this still doesn’t mean that your body will stop burning calories as soon as the clock hits 19:00 or 20:00.
Calories aren’t as smart as people are, and can’t tell time. So there isn’t a signal going off, telling the calories to turn into fat or something. What might be important to know is not to eat right before you hit the sack. Because once you’re asleep, your metabolism will slow down and won’t burn as much calories anymore. Note, I just wrote “won’t burn as much calories”, your body will continue to burn calories, but slower than your “awake state”. So, no high calorie food right before you hit the sack.
There are some exceptions. 1 of the exceptions is people that work out in the evening. While doing your workout, you’ll be losing nutrients which you need to replenish. This replenishing can be done anytime of the day, even right before you hit the sack. As long as you stay within the limits of the calories you can gain in a day. Another reason why you can eat right before you hit the sack (if you did the exercise of course), is because working out will increase your metabolism thus you’ll be burning calories faster than usual.
Conclusion: As long as you stay within your calorie limit, there is no reason not to eat after 19:00. Just like anything else, be reasonable. And don’t stuff everything in your mouth just because I said it was okay to eat in the evening!
May 2nd, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Congratulations on dispelling one of the strangest fitness myths out there. Great post.
May 2nd, 2008 at 5:44 pm
Cheers, just trying to help people out