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Myth: Eating late at night will make you fat.

Your body doesn’t know what time it is. It’s not like a meal at 6 p.m. will be stored in your muscles or burned for immediate energy, yet suddenly that same meal at 8 p.m. will go straight to your butt. Instead, your body recognizes an accumulation of calories over time, or a deficit of calories over time.

So why is it that so many diets ban eating after 6 or 7 p.m.? For many, the evening hours are when willpower falters. So it’s not simply that you’re eating late at night; it’s what you’re eating late at night. Cookies, ice cream, chips, crackers — all those mindless nighttime nibbles can add up to hundreds, even thousands of calories.

Dinner at 8 p.m.? No sweat. Just keep it reasonable – most people can get by with a lean protein entree, veggies on the side, and salad – and curb the late-night munchies.

For good digestion, try to allow at least two hours between dinner and bedtime.

If you find yourself looking for a bedtime/nighttime snack, look for something protein-rich & low in carbs to satisfy your craving.

 

3 no-guilt nighttime snacks to satisfy any craving (or can do just one):

Cold & Creamy: Fro-Yo Popsicles (homemade, old-school ‘popsicles’ with greek yogurt + fresh berries)

Savory:  Cheese quesadilla (reduced-fat cheese melted onto high fiber tortilla)

Chocolate-y:  Protein pudding made with sugar-free chocolate pudding + protein powder

(News with a Twist 3/20/13)