How bad is eating before bed, please?!

pugmum · March 1, 2006

Please tell how bad this is!!! I have this awful habit of eating pretzels and cheese and something sweet (like a little meal) before bed!! I just started this behavior a few months ago and took a break after surgery, but now I'm beginning to do it again! I know this will mess with my weight loss and so I want to know that I'm not the only one and that I really need to stop! LOL.

Thanks,

Kelli

mousecrazy · March 1, 2006

This isn't really an answer, but in the Zone, it is recommended to eat a small snack--of course, balanced to Zone specifications--before bed. I guess if it was Protein, some carb, and some fat, but not lots of calories, you might be doing yourself a favor.

GeezerSue · March 1, 2006

Eating at bedtime is more complicated once you're banded. Many times the food just sits there, trying to work its way down to your stomach. And, when morning comes, you are unable to eat "the most important meal of the day" because you're still processing the last meal.

If you can eat at night AND in the morning, it probably isn't a problem. But there are those who drink a lot of Water in the evening just to make sure they aren't going to bed with food left in the esophagus/upper part of the stomach.

La_madam · March 1, 2006

When I was banded I would always wash my pouch out with a 20 oz glass of Water before bedtime..to help ensure no reflux at night and that no food was sitting in my pouch all night long and it helped for me to be able to not be so restricted in the morning.

pugmum · March 2, 2006

Interesting. Thanks for the replies!

Kelli

Jessiebear · March 2, 2006

I just notice after my last fill that if I eat after 6 or 7pm, I am too tight in the am to eat. This has really helped me to lose in the last few weeks. If I just have to have something late in the evening I have been going for boost high Protein Shakes or the premixed carnation instant Breakfast shakes.< /p>

vinesqueen · March 2, 2006

many people find that they are too tight in the morning if they eat at right. I think that if you are not too tight for breakfast 'that you are still booing good loss, and no reflux then there probably is no issue with late night eating

DeLarla · March 2, 2006

Eating in bed (guilty) or before bed can be very dangerous for some of us. I ended up with Barrett's Esophagus and bad acid reflux added to choking in my sleep from eating late, laying down too soon, and eating too much. food needs to digest downward, so if you lay down, food can sit in your esoph instead of moving down below. Any food and/or stomach acid can cause all sorts of problems.

Paulax · March 2, 2006

Through my own experience and things I have read, it is not a good idea to eat before bed time. (my favorite time to eat also) I understand the digestive system shuts down while you sleep, so if there is food there it just sits, ferments and probably doesn't allow for a good nights sleep.< /p>

When I am feeling right on plan and losing weight, I practise stopping any food or Snacks after 7pm. If I MUST have something, I drink tea.

Remind me of that at 8pm tonight when Survivor is on will ya? Dd and I love to sit, watch and eat popcorn. I guess once in a while isn't bad, but to make it an ongoing habit is something I will constantly try to break.

Hot herbal tea warms my tummy and makes me feel all warm and fuzzy, then I am less likely to eat for emotional reasons.

Good luck and thanks for the reminder.