We often hear that eating after 8 pm directly affects weight gain. Some avoid late dinners for fear that metabolism slows down and the body stores calories as fat. But how true is this?
Where does this belief come from?
The idea that eating late at night contributes to weight gain stems from the fact that our bodies burn fewer calories at night while they rest. This has led many people to believe that any food consumed after a certain hour will automatically turn into fat.
So, it's not the time of day that affects weight gain, but the quantity and quality of food consumed throughout the day. What matters is the overall calorie balance - if you consume more calories than you burn, you will gain weight, regardless of your eating schedule.
When can eating late be a problem?
Although the time of day itself is not decisive, eating late at night is often associated with unhealthy habits, such as eating processed foods, high amounts of sugar or unhealthy fats. Also, eating right before bed can cause discomfort such as heartburn or disturbed sleep.
Myth! There is no scientific evidence to support that eating after 8 pm causes weight gain if total calories are within daily limits. What matters most is the quality of the food and overall eating habits.
Sources: WebMD
