All this "don't eat after 6pm" business - it's bollocks, surely?

[bohemianbint]

A calorie's a calorie at 7am or 9pm, isn't it? Yes, I get that if you sit on your arse all evening you won't be burning up calories, but if you've done enough in the day your metabolism keeps going.

I've just read a couple of things about the curfew thing and I don't buy it, am I being too cynical?

[JackieNo]

I've often wondered about this - it's calories in, minus calories out, no matter when they happen, isn't it?

[bohemianbint]

Yeah, I reckon. I might phone my mum and ask, she used to be a dietician in a past life...

[Memoo]

I think there is some truth in it, its because in the evening your metabalism slows right down and so you don't burn off anywhere near as many calories as you would do during the day

[Aero]

I think it's all simple maths too. Exercise enough during the day and burn off the calories before you consume them.

The calories you put in the the evenings can be burnt off the following day. I often eat my dinner late as dh works late - I'm managing to lose weight with no problems and believe me, I have a decent appetite and although not eating anything too fatty atm, I do eat plenty!

[Enid]

bolleaux

[belgo]

it's true actually. All nutrition experts recommend eating breakfast. Then that gets your metabolism going.

Food eaten at night when your metabolism is slower is likely not to be burnt up so well.

[cornsilk]

I've been told it's bollocks as well, but if I don't eat after 6pm I loose weight, so for me it works.

[bohemianbint]

DO you think it maybe works beacuse if you have a definite cut off point in the day and stick to eat, you are more likely to eat less, rather than snack or pick bits in the evening, IYSWIM? SO it's less calories, as opposed to anything to do with metabolism?

It would probably work wonders for me cos there's no way on earth we'd ever get chance to sit down and eat before 6pm.

[Othersideofthechannel]

I don't know about the science behind it but here in France they recommend the main meal at lunchtime and a lighter meal in the evening because of the reasons Belgo gives.

[Othersideofthechannel]

Although of course the evening meal would be later than 6pm.

[cornsilk]

Bohemian bint - yes I think you're right about the snacing in the evening bit. Also I'm less bloated the next day if I don't eat late.

[Jahan]

I definitely lose weight if I have a cut off time.
At the moment, I'm not eating after 7pm.
I'm an evening snacker so it really helps me!

[dinny]

I think it's that many people consume a lot of calories after 6pm

God, I think I'd starve if I didn't eat after 6pm, how do people do it?

also, is wine included?

[Kewcumber]

its not quite as simple as calories in minus calories out, I think there is a growing acceptance that not all calroies are made alike now becasue of the effect they have on your body.

For example it is generally accepted now that high GI foods stimulate production of insulin which predispose you to dopsit fat rather than burn it.

However I haven;t seen any resaerch into the time of day making a differnce. It seems logical that you don;t burn it off before you go to sleep but you body doesn;t use food the ionstant that you eat it, it takes time to pass through your body and be broken down into constituent parts to be used. If the body couldn;t deal with eating calories and using them not only hours but even days apart then people in many situations wouldn't be able to function.

i'd be interested if anyone knows any research though.

[dinny]

those who have a cut off point in the evening, would be interested to know HOW you do it?

it's my worst time for snacking!

[Sidge]

Metabolism is fairly constant, it doesn't speed up and slow down.

I think the 'don't eat after 6pm' idea probably was a spin off from some faddy diet. But it is true to say that if you restrict your calorie intake at any point in the day you will eat less calories in a 24 hour period and so maybe lose weight.

I am an evening snacker as well - maybe I should follow a "don't eat before 6pm diet and then all the crap I eat between 8 pm and bedtime at 11 pm won't make me put weight on!

[Jumpty]

I am also an evening eater and recently started not eating in the day until I'm hungry (ie no breakfast and small lunch). I find it easier to cut down early in the day and try to eat healthier at night. Not eating during the day makes it easier for me to cut down overall.

[dinny]

that's a good idea, Jumpty

am going to endeavour not to eat after 7pm tonight (though will allow glass of wine, tea etc etc)

God, can't imagine it, will be climbing the walls!

I will eat sooo little if I cut out evening snacking!

[dinny]

ooh, well, I managed to not eat after 6pm last night!

was a bit hard but feel well pleased with myself today! maybe this could be the key to easy weightloss!

[bohemianbint]

I don't think I could not eat in the mornings. I go a bit dolally if I don't get breakfast.

[maidamess]

I did it for a bit...not because I thought the calories after 5pm were any worse than those before, but just because I needed some eating discipline.

[FruitfulOfFruit]

I think with kids I run around after them all day, don't get time to snack, and if I do its healthy cos they are watching me. After bedtime, I can sit down and hit the chocolate. So a "not after 6pm rule" helps!

[Niecie]

I don't think eating a meal after 7pm or whatever is bad for you. I read something about it the other day and the article definitely said it was a diet myth. That said if you are snacking rather than eating a meal it is is not good but then snacking any time on the wrong thing is a problem.

The oft quote comparisons with the French, they often eat very late at night and it doesn't do them any harm.

[dinny]

I think it's good if you are a late-night snacker as opposed to eating a healthy meal late, iyswim

[AbbeyA]

The best way is supposed to be:
Breakfast like a king
Lunch like a prince
Dinner like a pauper.
However my life isn't suited to this. I can't face a lot for breakfast anyway, I don't have time for a large lunch and it sends me to sleep! My main meal is around 7.30pm and I have time to relax and enjoy it then.