Is Eating After 6PM Actually Bad for You?
Is eating after 6 PM derailing your weight loss? Discover the impact of late-night dining on fitness goals and effective strategies to stay on track.
Published May 15, 2023.
Embracing a balanced diet is an important step towards meeting your fitness and weight loss objectives. It's not just about what you eat, but when you eat it. A popular notion suggests that consuming food after 6 PM can be a stumbling block in your weight loss journey.
But how much truth is there to this claim? Let's dive in and find out the ideal time to wrap up your daily dining to expedite your fitness and weight loss progress.
Setting the Record Straight: Eating Post 6 PM
Contrary to popular belief, eating after 6 PM is not inherently detrimental to your health. However, it's worth noting that our digestive system tends to be less efficient during the evening hours. Coupled with decreased physical activity at night, the calories consumed tend to be stored as fat.
In essence, late-night snacking is a bad eating habit that could potentially hinder your weight loss progression. Conversely, curbing late-night eating has been associated with increased weight loss.
What Time Should You Stop Eating?
People trying to lead healthy lives often wonder at what time they should stop eating.
Here's the scoop—if your goal is weight loss, then you shouldn't eat after 7PM!
Keeping your dinner light and low-key is a healthy approach. Large, heavy meals near bedtime can disrupt digestion and compromise your sleep quality.
Eating large meals late in the evening can also contribute to weight gain and obesity. People tend to consume more calories when they are tired. Eating a substantial meal close to your bedtime may increase the likelihood of overeating. Distributing your caloric intake throughout the day is more beneficial for weight management.
» Find out when to exercise for weight loss
Combine Healthy Eating Habits with Exercise
While dining after 6 PM isn't inherently harmful, it's prudent to limit late-night eating to reap the most from your weight loss efforts.
Complementing these healthy eating habits with regular exercise, like TDC's 7-minute workout, could be the secret sauce to achieving your fitness goals. This efficient, well-structured workout program can be seamlessly integrated into your daily routine, helping you get the most out of your health journey.
