Photo: Sarah Chai

What is the latest you should eat before going to bed?

about three hours It's best to stop eating about three hours before going to bed. That allows plenty of time for your body to digest the last food you ate so it won't disrupt your sleep, but leaves a small enough window before sleep that you won't go to bed feeling hungry.

health.clevelandclinic.org - Is It Bad to Eat Before Bed? - Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials

Does olive oil clean liver?

Olive oil is one of the best all-natural solutions available for cleansing liver. By drinking large amounts of olive oil, liver gets the signal to...

Last updated Jan 1, 2021

Can you live a long life with high BP?

It's important to remember that high blood pressure is not usually a death sentence. As long as you're regularly working with your doctor on...

Last updated Apr 7, 2021

Imagine Your Moment Of Freedom!

Fluxactive Complete is conveniently packed with over 14 essential prostate powerhouse herbs, vitamins and grade A nutrients which work synergistically to help you support a healthy prostate faster

Learn More »

Promotion

Whether it’s a late-night meal or a midnight snack, chances are you’ve heard a lot of tips and advice about whether or not it’s OK to eat before going to bed. From messing with your metabolism to maintaining blood sugar levels, there’s a wide range of thought. Advertising Policy Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy The truth is, you should avoid eating before bed, says registered dietitian Alexis Supan, RD. But, she adds, that’s not always realistic. Supan outlines the good and the bad about eating before bed and what’s OK to eat if you have to.

Should you eat before bed?

No, you shouldn’t eat before bed, says Supan, and one reason is because of the way your body functions. “When you eat late at night, you’re going against your body’s circadian rhythm,” she says. It’s all about the way your body adjusts its insulin sensitivity. Your body is more sensitive in the morning on purpose. “That’s to help fuel our bodies, get us moving and get us through the day,” explains Supan. “But our insulin resistance kicks up at night.” The result is that those extra calories coming from your late-night meal or snack are stored as fat while you sleep instead of being burned throughout the day. Another reason that eating late is bad is because that’s when we tend to make less healthy decisions about what we consume. “At night is when we eat the unhealthy stuff — chips, cookies, ice cream — as part of our nighttime relaxation routine. But it’s also mindless eating,” says Supan.

What’s OK to eat before bed?

Again, the best-case scenario is that you don’t eat anything before bed. But that’s also not always realistic. Maybe work keeps you up late or your eating schedule gets thrown off and you need, well, something. “If you’re really hungry, steamed or raw vegetables is the best way to go,” says Supan. But if you’re in the need of something sweet, there are options that won’t do too much damage:

Which is the No 1 chocolate in world?

Mars Wrigley Confectionery (USA) Leading the chart of the world's largest chocolate companies is the American confectioner Mars Inc owns some of...

Last updated May 4, 2022

What should men get checked every year?

Flu shot: get one every year. Tetanus-diphtheria and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine: have one at or after age 19 as one of your tetanus-...

Last updated Mar 17, 2021

Promotion

Vegetables (carrots, broccoli) with hummus.

Other steamed or raw vegetables like grape tomatoes or snap peas.

An apple with a tablespoon of peanut butter.

Some fruit with a small piece of dark chocolate.

Greek yogurt.

These options provide your body with protein and some healthy fat while also helping you feel full. Just as important as what you eat before bed, though, is how much you eat, says Supan. “It’s really important to think about portions,” she notes. “When we get in a lot of trouble is when we’re just mindlessly eating out of a big container while watching TV or playing video games. It’s almost like having an infinite supply, which is dangerous.” So, even if you break down and go for something sweeter, keep it to one or two cookies, not a whole sleeve or package.

What should you avoid before bed?

If you want a good night’s sleep, skip everything high in fat and sugar like that candy bar or bowl of ice cream. And you need to be especially careful about two other things: Caffeine : “Not only does it disrupt your sleep, but it plays a huge role in weight gain,” says Supan, noting a lot of caffeine intake in the evenings comes from soda and other high-sugar drinks. : “Not only does it disrupt your sleep, but it plays a huge role in weight gain,” says Supan, noting a lot of caffeine intake in the evenings comes from soda and other high-sugar drinks. Alcohol: Besides extra calories, this can also can be disruptive to sleep. “Some people react differently to alcohol. While it may relax you before bed, it may still be disruptive,” says Supan. “Pay attention to how it affects you.” Again, it’s about keeping your body as healthy as possible before bed to keep it from storing those excess calories as fat.

What causes PSA to go down?

While age and genetics both affect PSA levels, lifestyle factors actually play the largest role. That's why simple changes to health, diet, and...

Last updated Aug 5, 2021

Why do you have to be 2 hours before surgery?

On the day of surgery, you may be asked to arrive several hours before your procedure is scheduled to begin. This allows the staff to complete any...

Last updated Jan 7, 2020

Promotion

What’s the best time to stop eating before bed?

It’s best to stop eating about three hours before going to bed. That allows plenty of time for your body to digest the last food you ate so it won’t disrupt your sleep, but leaves a small enough window before sleep that you won’t go to bed feeling hungry. It also gives people with acid reflux time to avoid symptoms before bed. Eating your last meal too early is also a concern, though, says Supan: “If you’re going to bed hungry, that can also be disruptive to your sleep which can have some negative effects.” But for people who are early diners but late to bed, a late evening snack — a healthy one like the suggestions above — might be a good idea to avoid that disruptive hunger. “That late evening snack, as long as it’s healthy, could even be beneficial to helping you sleep better in those circumstances.” As for a specific time, Supan says it really depends on your day. Whether you eat earlier in the day, so your last meal is at 7 p.m., or you’re more of a night owl, so you’re last meal is at 9 p.m. or later, it’s that three-hour window that’s most important. Keeping a three-hour window helps ensure a less disruptive sleep and a healthier body when you wake and get ready to face the day.

health.clevelandclinic.org - Is It Bad to Eat Before Bed? - Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials

Do pumpkin seeds have side effects?

It is possibly safe to take pumpkin seed or pumpkin seed oil in medicinal amounts. Side effects from pumpkin products are rare, but might include...

Last updated Sep 1, 2021

Does water burn calories?

Water increases calorie burning In a 2014 study , 12 people who drank 500 mL of cold and room temperature water experienced an increase in energy...

Last updated Apr 20, 2018

Promotion

How does an infertile sperm look like?

Yellow semen may also indicate urine in the semen. This can be an issue that requires attention from a fertility specialist, as it may indicate...

Last updated May 26, 2022

Promotion

Which fruit gives most energy?

The following fruits may help boost energy: Bananas. Share on Pinterest Bananas are rich in potassium. ... Avocados. Avocados are a well-rounded...

Last updated Jul 3, 2022