Is it normal to eat cereal in the middle of the night?

[PistachioTiramisu]

DH often eats a bowl of cereal in the middle of the night - after having eating a full dinner around 8. I think this is odd as he shouldn't be hungry at night but he says he is! What do you think?

BIL used to wake my DSis at 3 asking if she wanted something to eat. He would then go
through the kitchen cupboards.
He had hyperthyroidism.

Eating anything in the middle of the night isn't normal.

Waking up in the night to eat a meal is not normal imo.

I have to say I'm really surprised by the vote. I can only assume lots of posters have completely misunderstood the question.

It seems to be the case. For most people middle of the night is what the op meant, getting up at 3 am or similar and eating.

for some this means technically midnight and a before bed snack.

I would not consider that normal for an adult.

Given that he is overweight, and that most cereals are very high in sugar and refined carbs, I would be concerned.

Could be a habit, could be a health issue; probably some bloods and a chat at the GP in order.

I do this before I go to bed, usually around 1. I do think waking up to eat is odd but DD (lots of sport) does it sometimes.

It's Not normal to wake up at 3am to eat cereal and then go back to sleep

A lot of people will say "middle of the night" to mean "a time when I prefer to be asleep".
I'm a night owl, who no longer needs to be up early for work, so I'll say it if someone suggests me getting up at 7am. I have a friend who is up with the lark who considers 10.30pm to be 'the middle of the night' - it's just common parlance which people use.
Therefore not surprising people initially interpreted it this way.
It would have been helpful if OP had initially said "...wakes up at 3am"

Not really on topic, but I always hope that people who snack in the night clean their teeth before going back to bed.

Yes, I know it sounds a bit controlling, but I think it makes a good difference to health.

My go to night time snack! It's rare I eat it in the morning actually

Does he skip breakfast? I often don't eat until late afternoon but tend to eat 2-3 hours after dinner instead

To be fair to her she did clarify within just 15 minutes of starting the thread. Slightly too late unfortunately to edit her initial post.

I appreciate others may use the phrase in different ways but even with the clarification I find it odd so many are voting that it's completely normal.

It's not normal. Especially if he's overweight. He needs to cut it out and start improving his health.

I've been all kinds of weights and had all kinds of diets and one thing I know for sure is someone else commenting on what or when I am eating has literally never helped me with anything. Neither has someone else's views on the healthiness of my food or the appearance of my body. We have an absolutely fucked sense of boundaries on this in this counrty

What?

Do you really clean your teeth after every single snack or lunch??

Once a day is enough if done thoroughly

I’m not sure the word is controlling. Maybe a little obsessional. Do you honestly clean your teeth every time you eat?

I do this, but I am 36 weeks pregnant so 😂

I do this. It’s medication driven. From meds l take at night. I can overide it. But l often don’t🥴

I do this. I don't think it's within the range of normal. I always seem to need to eat before bed and it's not uncommon for me to wake up hungry at night.
I wouldn't be able to get back to sleep if I didn't eat something

It's not normal, no. No need to eat during the night unless you've only had a small main meal with minimal calories at 5pm, say, and nothing else since, when you would normally eat a huge meal at 7.30 or 8pm . Even then, if you wake up in the middle of the night and feel slight hunger pangs then it should still be possible to ignore them and they will pass and you'll drop back off to sleep.

Once a day?! Yuck.

Are you a shift worker or something? Because if not, that is a very erratic meal schedule.

My husband regularly does this, can't get my head round it myself as eating in the middle of the night doesn't appeal. He says it helps him to get back to sleep!

I think a grown man can do what he wants and shouldn’t be judged for it. I eat dinner and then eat a snack or two if I’m hungry hours later.

My mum is someone that never seems to understand eating patterns that differ from hers!
What difference does it make whether it's normal or not?
Its perfectly legal to eat cereal in the night