Does timing really matter?

[Simone]

I have read Bob Greene's book a couple times and I recall one of the rules he encourages those trying to lose weight to follow is having a cut off time for eating 3 hours prior to going to bed. Does that really matter on Atkins? It is after midnight where I am and I just had a steak after a long day and having eaten last at about 3pm. This is not the norm for me, but today was just one of those days. I am about to go to bed, with a full belly. I also drank about 40 oz of water after the steak. Is any of this counter productive?

[ttdriver]

Its been my experience that avoiding eating within 3 hours of going to bed has helped me lose weight. Matter of fact, eating breakfast like a "king", lunch like a "prince" and dinner like a "pauper" is really beneficial.

"Man shall leave the bread alone". My Atkins paraphrase.

Betty

[FightingTheFight]

Reason being is that because when you fall asleep, your metabolism slow down tremedously, then your body is stuck digesting food all night instead of recovering.

Not to mention you will have to take a dump in the morning.

[californiacasey]

Well my doctor suggested that I eat a very light dinner and move most of my calories and carbs to the morning (breakfast) because I will have a better chance at burning them off during the day. When you eat late at night or right before you go to bed, your body doesn’t metabolize the food as well as when you are awake (because when you sleep a lot of your systems slow down and repair including your digestive system) If this was a one-time thing then don’t worry about it. BUT if you consistently don’t eat for the last 3 hours that you are awake, THEN it will make a difference for your benefit. You will have more time to metabolize your food and you won’t retain as much of it as would you sleeping (b/c it would sit in your stomach longer).
Have you seen Oprah lately? That was one of her new goals, was NOT to eat anything at least 3 hours before sleeping.

[ttdriver]

You'll sleep better with less in your tummy...

Betty

[cruiser gal]

I don't eat anything after 9 pm, and I go to bed after midnight. I feel very sluggish if I eat later than that, but there are circumstances where we cannot help eating a bit late. As long as it's not a regular occurance!!!

[G-Mom]

Well my doctor suggested that I eat a very light dinner and move most of my calories and carbs to the morning (breakfast) because I will have a better chance at burning them off during the day.

It's best to evenly spread out your carbs throughout the day to avoid an insulin spike.