Proper nutrition is becoming more and more popular every day, but along with useful recommendations, myths that have no scientific basis are also spreading. For example, that after 6 pm it is strictly forbidden to eat, otherwise fat deposits and extra pounds will directly attack the defenseless body in a dream. It sounds scary, of course, but it really doesn’t correspond to much. Therefore, those who care about their health should figure out why they really can’t eat at night, and whether there are exceptions to this rule.
Features of the evening meal
Many people who are losing weight have noted that hunger is especially intense in the evenings. If it’s easier to stick to a diet during the day and morning, then at night you want to eat more and more satisfyingly. The body is preparing for sleep, which means for a long break in eating. Adrenaline is released into the blood, which makes you feel hungrier. The idea that you can’t eat after 6 has long since become a thing of the past. You don’t have to deny yourself dinner and go to bed hungry. You need to know what to eat in the evening when losing weight, so as not to spoil the results of the diet.
The last meal should be no later than 3 hours before bedtime. This is enough not to disturb your sleep and not harm your figure. For good sleep, you need to maintain a balance: both severe hunger and overeating will prevent you from falling asleep normally and waking up refreshed.
Experts say that different biochemical processes occur in the body in the morning and evening, so those foods that are easily digested in the morning will lead to rapid weight gain in the evening. With proper nutrition and distribution of calories throughout the day, dinner will not only not harm you, but will also help you quickly lose weight without stress and starvation. Nutritionists have long told you what to eat in the evening to lose weight. Following nutritional rules and eating low-fat, low-calorie foods for dinner will contribute to a beautiful figure and good health.
To effectively lose weight, you can resort to intermittent fasting, where you eat for 8 hours, then fast for 16 hours (including sleep).
Dinner for weight loss
The evening meal should be approximately 20% of your total daily diet, and the portion should be determined according to the “fist” rule: this means that the total amount of food eaten in the evening while losing weight should not exceed the size of your own palm (excluding fingers). What foods can be eaten at night? With proper nutrition, dinner should be light, without sweets, fried, flour and heavy foods, and in the evening you can only eat proteins and slow carbohydrates.
Cottage cheese for dinner when losing weight
Natural dairy products such as sour cream, yogurt, and cottage cheese are rich in casein and amino acids. For some people, doctors strongly recommend eating one of the above components in the evening (and not only when losing weight) in order to lower the level of insulin in the blood. Cottage cheese for dinner is suitable for weight loss, but it should have no more than 8% fat content. Try to eat a portion 2 hours before bedtime, otherwise the stomach will not have time to digest the curd mass due to the metabolism slowing down in the evening.
Cabbage at night for weight loss
Fresh cabbage, cauliflower or broccoli are allowed products on the evening menu for those who are struggling with those hated extra pounds. The product can be stewed with a minimum amount of oil, baked with eggs or made into a fresh salad. White cabbage before bed helps to remove all toxins from the body, which is especially important when losing weight, but it is not recommended to eat it in the evening, even in small quantities, for people suffering from various kinds of digestive problems and those who experience flatulence.
As for sauerkraut, if you like to eat it, plan your menu so that it is included in the daytime meals, and not in the evening. The product is prepared with the addition of a large amount of salt, which for many people can lead to swelling. Even though sauerkraut helps the body compensate for the lack of microelements and vitamins, it is better for you to eat it at least 2-3 hours before bedtime, and the portion in the evening should be at least several times smaller than what you would eat during the day.
- Floor standing air conditioner for home without duct
- Snowman made from plastic cups
- How to boost immunity for a 3 year old child
Buckwheat for dinner for weight loss
Some who are struggling to lose weight need to eat something more substantial than fruit, for example, in the evening. In this case, buckwheat porridge will help out, which, if desired, can be replaced with rice or supplemented with cucumber. Buckwheat before bed when losing weight will help you saturate your body with slow carbohydrates, which means that the glucose formed as a result of its processing will not remain in the form of excess fat folds on your waist.
Eggs at night for weight loss
Protein is an important part of a healthy diet, so if you want a hearty dinner in the evening, you can indulge in a few eggs. Boiled eggs for dinner when losing weight are best suited, but it is better to transfer a portion of fried eggs to the next morning. For a change, make yourself an omelette baked in a silicone mold in the evening - this way it can be prepared without fat, which will not harm your health and figure if you are on a weight loss diet.
Carrots at night for weight loss
A root vegetable containing a large amount of plant fiber is carrots. This source of vitamin A not only effectively improves all body functions, but also helps with figure correction, preventing the accumulation of fat in tissues. As to whether you should eat carrots at night when losing weight, there is an ambiguous answer: both yes and no. A few fresh carrots can easily replace dinner, but it’s better not to eat boiled root vegetables, because after eating carrots that have undergone heat treatment, your blood sugar level can rise sharply, and this can lead to an increase in appetite.
Fruits at night for weight loss
The question of whether it is possible to eat fruits in the evening is relevant for many, because you should not deny yourself a delicious dinner, the main thing here is to know which fruits you can eat and when. So, even nutritionists do not prohibit eating fruit at night when losing weight, but it is important to note that the last “fruit” snack should be at least an hour before bedtime. It is also important to observe the calorie content, for example, it is advisable to avoid a banana, which contains 89 kcal. It’s better to choose between grapefruit and orange (or you can do both together) - they quickly dull the feeling of hunger and prevent excess fat from being deposited in folds at the waist.
Salad for dinner for weight loss
Tomatoes, green vegetables and herbs are those foods that are acceptable to eat in the evening even when losing weight, and you can combine them as you like and in any quantities. Taking into account the calorie content, you can also prepare a vinaigrette from boiled beets, carrots and potatoes. If your body normally tolerates fruits related to legumes and cereals, for example, beans and corn, then add some of them to a fresh salad for dinner for weight loss - this will make it much more satisfying.
Eligible Products
Evening meals are especially important. A lot of energy is spent during the day, so food is digested faster. In the evening, at night, metabolism slows down, and most of the carbohydrates go into the fat layer. The diet will not be effective if you allow yourself to eat carbohydrate foods at night. The list of what you can eat in the evening when you are losing weight includes:
- chicken, turkey, rabbit and other lean meats;
- vegetables;
- fruits;
- low-fat fermented milk products;
- low-fat boiled or baked fish;
- soft-boiled eggs;
- buckwheat;
- pumpkin seeds.
When preparing dinner, it is better to cook, stew, or steam bake foods. It is not advisable to eat fried food overnight. It's hard on digestion. Portions should be small to satisfy the feeling of hunger, but not feel heaviness in the stomach.
At night you can drink green tea, warm milk, vegetable juices. Sugar or honey should not be added to tea.
What can you eat in the evening when you are losing weight: light dinner options
After 18.00 you can and should eat. An empty stomach can hurt, ache, and cause stress. It is especially undesirable for those who have problems with the stomach and pancreas to fast for a long time. Many people who are losing weight are concerned about what to eat in the evening while on a diet. This is the time of day that is considered critical when you want to eat everything. The list of acceptable products is quite wide. From them you can create a varied and complete evening menu.
Examples of healthy dinners include:
- Omelet with greens. It's easy to prepare and makes for a satisfying dinner. Beat two eggs, add salt, add herbs and bake covered. You can add half a fresh tomato.
- Vegetable salad. Any vegetables except boiled potatoes are taken: cucumbers, tomatoes, celery, onions, bell peppers, cabbage, turnips, lettuce, arugula. Everything is cut, mixed, salted, seasoned with vegetable oil. This salad is digested quickly and can be consumed 2-2.5 hours before bedtime.
- Vegetable stew. Tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, onions need to be cut and simmered over low heat for 10 minutes under the lid. Seasoning from aromatic herbs is allowed.
- Boiled fish. Fish contains a large amount of vitamins, beneficial microelements, and unsaturated fatty acids. For a healthy dinner, you need to boil a piece of white fish and add some fresh vegetables.
- Cottage cheese with fruit. Natural granular cottage cheese is good for the body. You can add fruit (excluding bananas) and a spoonful of low-fat yogurt without adding flavors or sweeteners.
It is important to remember that portions should be small. The calorie content of the dishes is minimal, not higher than 330 kcal for women, 550 kcal for men.
Eating late in the evening: what you can and cannot eat at night, benefits and harms
Nutritionists advise eating light food for a late dinner. You can: apple, low-fat cheese, carrots, beets, buckwheat, tofu, brown rice, avocado, lean meat .
Dieting
For those who want to lose weight, green vegetables are suitable.
The body spends more energy digesting them than it contains:
- Celery - leaves and stems are low in calories, suitable as a snack or salad.
- Spinach is rich in calcium, magnesium, iron, iodine, and vitamins.
- Cucumber – consists of 90% water, safe for your figure.
- Grapefruit – stimulates metabolism, helps better digestion of food.
- Green tea without sugar is an excellent aid in losing weight.
- Ginger – promotes heat release and energy consumption.
- Sea kale or kelp - contains only 5.4 kcal per 100 g. (without butter and sauce).
- Low-fat kefir – rich in amino acids, protein, calcium.
- Turnip – strengthens the immune system, cleanses the body.
In addition, for a late dinner on a diet, the following are suitable: asparagus, pumpkin, broccoli, sorrel, kiwi, raspberries, nectarine . They are rich in vitamins and minerals and do not allow fat to be deposited.
Important! Snacks in the form of seeds and crackers will only whet your appetite. Energy drinks, coffee, and alcohol will disrupt your well-being, lead to excess weight, and poor sleep.
Legumes, cabbage, zucchini, hot peppers, milk, cream, apples, oranges will cause discomfort in the intestines. Nutritionists recommend warm drinks: water with a slice of lemon, unsweetened green tea or chamomile tea .
You may be interested in: Effective and dangerous fast diets + 7 most dangerous diets
At the checkpoint
Proper nutrition maintains the vitality of the body, ensures growth, normal development, promotes health, and prevents diseases. Compliance with all its rules together with regular physical activity reduces the risk of obesity, heart disease, and hypertension.
It is useful for people who adhere to a healthy lifestyle to know what they can eat for a late dinner during PN, and how to follow a meal schedule. The optimal combination of proteins, fats, carbohydrates is important: 20–30% proteins, 50–60% carbohydrates, 20–30% fats.
Varied menu, meals 5-6 times a day.
Important! No matter what time you have dinner, remember the main rule: you need to chew your food slowly and thoroughly. The more chewing movements you make, the less food you will eat.
Food options before bed: raw, steamed, stewed, boiled food .
Proper nutrition means avoiding fried, smoked, pickles, sweets, and fast food.
Allowed:
- Tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, zucchini.
- Cereals – buckwheat, oatmeal, mung bean, brown rice.
- Honey, soy cheese, tofu, whole grain bread, fresh herbs.
- Boiled chicken, turkey.
- Vinaigrette, feta cheese.
- Fish cutlets, vegetable stew.
- Canned stewed meat.
Bananas and grapes are not recommended before bed due to their high calorie content, but blueberries, blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries are excellent options (without sugar).
Important! Semolina, beans, barley are foods that are hard on the stomach.
Among the drinks, herbal infusions, decoctions, teas from chamomile, lemon balm, rosemary, linden, and sage will be useful; chicory, mineral water, green tea. Freshly squeezed juices are high in carbohydrates and sugars. Coffee, cocoa, and strong tea are not recommended.
Crustaceans, shellfish, white meat, dairy products, unsweetened fruits - you can eat for a late dinner with proper nutrition. They provide long-term saturation; the body spends a lot of energy when assimilating them, thereby burning fat. Without sufficient water consumption, the benefits of PN are minimized - metabolic processes slow down, the intestines are not cleansed normally. You need to drink 8 glasses a day. More in the morning, be sure to drink in small sips, one glass in the evening.
To avoid getting better
To prevent excess weight gain, experts recommend having a full lunch during the day. Then in the evening you won’t crave fried, floury foods.
According to surveys of nutritionists, most overweight people limit themselves during the day, and before bedtime they cannot resist high-calorie foods. It is better to eat light fruits, kefir, they will not add extra pounds.
When a person leads an active lifestyle until the night, you can allow yourself to eat three hours before bedtime .
If there is still a lot of time before dinner, it is worth having a snack - fruit and a piece of cheese, yogurt with bread, dried fruits, fermented milk drinks, cottage cheese.
In order not to gain weight, for a late dinner you can eat food containing proteins and vitamins:
- Boiled breast and stewed vegetables.
- Cottage cheese with greens.
- Eggs, low-fat cheese.
- Sea fish, turkey.
Suitable desserts include yogurt, kefir, pineapple pieces, fresh figs, mango, blueberries, raspberries, and cherries. Men are allowed baked potatoes, pancakes, honey.
Expert comment:
“Dinner in the diet is not the main thing, but also not a secondary one.
It belongs to the main meals. As the sage said: “Eat breakfast yourself, share lunch with a friend, and give dinner to your enemy.” But in practice and in everyday life, we are faced with the fact that when we come home from work, we want everything and more, and it is very difficult to control ourselves at these moments. And all because during the day, most likely, a snack was missed, and maybe lunch. Therefore, in the evening the body wants to take its toll and urgently demands to feed it. Unfortunately, at these moments we forget about proper nutrition and the fact that we are on a diet; we will regret what we ate later. So what to do in this situation?Firstly, try to take time breaks during the day, namely two snacks. The first one usually comes out three hours after breakfast, and therefore the afternoon snack. Secondly, we make dinner as light as possible, all carbohydrates remain prohibited, and we make a choice in favor of lean meat and vegetables. Here we let your imagination fly; it can be boiled or baked meat, or stewed fish with vegetables, or a warm stew straight from the slow cooker.
You can also give preference to fermented milk products, cottage cheese with natural yogurt without small fat additives, or a glass of fermented baked milk. All this contributes to satiety and will not add extra pounds to you. Enjoy your dinner!”
Inna, nutritionist-consultant, Novocherkassk
Undesirable foods at night
If we talk about what you can eat in the evening when losing weight, it is important to take into account both the calorie content and the effect of the product on the body. Some foods are completely unsuitable for an evening snack. The list of such products includes:
- smoked products (when dieting, it is generally advisable to remove them from the diet);
- fatty meat, sausage, lard;
- bread and any other baked goods;
- sweets;
- avocado (it contains quite a lot of fats and oils);
- sauces (mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard);
- soda;
- coffee;
- pasta;
- bananas;
- potato.
Despite all the benefits of dried fruits, eating them before bed is not recommended. When choosing what to eat after 6 pm to lose weight, it is better to give preference to fresh fruits. Dried fruits are concentrated fructose, which is not digested very quickly. It is better to eat such food during the day and in the morning. You can safely eat a handful of dried fruits at night only for those who are actively involved in sports and burn a lot of calories.
You should not eat garlic and onions at night. They increase appetite and irritate the walls of the stomach. It is better to season dishes with dill, parsley and other healthy aromatic herbs.
What to eat in the evening to lose weight: fruits and berries
Fruits are good for the body. They contain a lot of vitamins and microelements. However, not all of them are suitable for evening consumption. Some fruits have a high calorie content, are difficult to digest and can negatively affect your figure.
Thanks to the rapid absorption of fruits, you can eat them even an hour before bed. The list of foods that you can eat in the evening when losing weight includes:
- apples, including baked ones;
- oranges;
- pineapples;
- pears;
- kiwi;
- mango.
You should not eat grapes, bananas and sour berries at night if there is inflammation of the stomach walls, gastritis, or pancreatitis. On an empty stomach they will cause pain. It is advisable to eat bananas in the morning, as before bedtime they increase the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
Dinner does not have to consist exclusively of fruit. You can make vitamin cocktails, fruit salads, and eat them 20 minutes before the main course. This will reduce the amount you eat.
What can you eat before bed
To make dinner healthy and easy, and to avoid the danger of gaining extra pounds by eating a small piece of the wrong food, it is important to remember which foods you can eat before bed and which you cannot.
The list of permitted dishes is, in fact, very wide. It is not necessary to starve yourself and show willpower by eating carrots. A hearty and tasty dinner is completely acceptable, including everything you want. The only rule is that it should not contain poorly digestible food.
The healthiest foods for dinner that won’t ruin your sleep quality or interfere with your diet are:
- dark chocolate. Nutritionists place this tasty delicacy in first place among sweets. It contains a small amount of sugar and many beneficial substances, including antioxidants, which normalize blood pressure and have a beneficial effect on mood.
- rice. Scientific research shows that a diet that includes plenty of rice not only helps you lose weight effectively, but also promotes healthier sleep. Rice has a high glycemic index, so it works as a stimulator for the production of tryptophan and melatonin. These hormones promote quality sleep. And chronic lack of sleep leads to multiple negative consequences, including excess weight.
- warm milk combined with honey. It will not only give you a feeling of fullness, but will also help you fall asleep quickly. Milk contains amino acids that promote the production of serotonin, the “happiness hormone”. Honey includes sugar, but its share is quite acceptable even for an evening meal.
- blueberries and other berries. They (even frozen) contain large amounts of antioxidants, which improve brain function and overall health. At the same time, the berries are low in calories and are quickly absorbed, which is very important for the diet.
- cheese. This hearty product is quite acceptable for dinner, especially if there was no time to have a hearty lunch. You can serve it with wheat tortillas and chicken breast. Cheese is good before bed because it contains a large amount of casein. This complex protein promotes healthy satiety and can speed up your metabolism.
Of the protein foods, the list of suitable dishes for dinner can include only those that are easily digestible (no longer than 1.5 hours). These are kefir, yogurt, low-fat cottage cheese, eggs, dietary meat (for example, chicken fillet), fish baked in foil.
Green vegetables, tomatoes, and herbs in almost any quantity are suitable as a side dish for the main dish. You can eat some potatoes, carrots, beets, mushrooms, and beans.
Nuts are a fairly high-calorie product that is not recommended for people trying to lose weight. However, a small amount of almonds won't hurt. It will quickly satisfy your hunger without affecting the results of your diet. In addition, almonds stabilize cholesterol and triglyceride levels, thereby preventing the development of cardiovascular diseases. Also a good option for a snack before bed are pistachios without salt. They contain a large amount of nutrients and are easily digestible.
You can buy pumpkin seeds and have a quick snack. They will satisfy hunger and prepare the body for sleep. The high amount of magnesium in this product will help you fall asleep quickly and deeply.
We're used to eating soup for lunch, but this healthy dish is the perfect menu item for a diet dinner. Light chicken broth is quickly digested and will not lead to the appearance of extra centimeters.
The soup can be served with herbs.
It is also possible to satisfy your hunger with fruits. Persimmon, apple, pomegranate, grapes, banana, watermelon will help you feel full and relieve the desire to “eat something tasty.” Suitable for a late snack and a mixture of dried fruits.
Often the body mistakes thirst for hunger. Half an hour before meals, drink a glass of water - then you will most likely eat less at dinner. And before bed, you can brew a cup of ginger tea. Ginger neutralizes the invigorating effect of caffeine and is useful for weight loss.
How to overcome the habit of eating before bed?
You cannot endure hunger until your stomach hurts in order to lose weight. Such a diet can result in problems with the stomach, sleep, and metabolic failure. However, even a small indulgence in the form of a snack can lead to overeating, as it is difficult for people to stop. The following tips will help you avoid overeating before bed:
- Proper diet. Eating an easy dinner is much more difficult if you haven't eaten enough during the day. It is necessary to follow a routine and not skip meals. During the day there should be 2 breakfasts (or breakfast and afternoon snack), lunch and dinner. If the body receives the necessary nutrients during the day, it will be easier to cope with hunger in the evening.
- Determining the body's needs. “I want” does not always mean “I need.” Most people have a problem distinguishing between real hunger and that feeling when you just want something tasty. During hunger, the stomach begins to work actively, rumbling appears, and sucks in the pit of the stomach. This is how the body says it’s time to eat. The simple desire to chew something must be overcome.
- Hobbies. You want to chew when you're bored. At first, while on a diet, you need to plan your evening and distract yourself from thoughts about food. An interesting series, book, or drawing will help you not think about sweets.
- Minimum food at home. If there is no unhealthy or sweet food at home, the temptation to eat it is less. You should not buy goodies for the morning, because in the evening you will want to eat them. Not everyone wants to go to the store after work for sweets and chips.
On the Internet you can find reviews from people who have lost weight about what to eat in the evening to lose weight. First of all, everyone recommends switching to nutritious, but low-calorie foods. You need to exclude all flour, sweets and fatty foods from your evening diet.
Stress often leads to overeating. Many people have the habit of eating problems. During active weight loss, you need to create the most comfortable environment for yourself, try to avoid emotional stress and quarrels. It is not recommended to quit smoking and lose weight at the same time. It is better to give up junk food and bad habits gradually and one by one.
Foods that cause insomnia
Insomnia is a problem that every person faces. It can be caused by health problems. But a common reason for this is our diet. Some products that cause sleep disturbances are known to everyone, for example, coffee, tea. But most often we cannot even think about what causes such nervous excitement in our body. The main enemies of sleep are foods that contain a lot of spices, salt or garlic. Therefore, it is better to avoid eating too hot or spicy foods, such as Chinese food, before going to bed.
The main enemies of sleep are foods that contain a lot of spices, salt or garlic.
Fatty foods can also cause restless sleep, so avoid eating red meat and fatty fish, cakes, foods rich in oil, pastries or nuts. At night, the gastrointestinal tract does not work actively enough to digest them, and there is a feeling of heaviness that interferes with sleep. Yellow cheeses have a high fat content. In addition, they contain thiamine, an invigorating component found in coffee. The same substance is found in tomatoes and tomato sauces. Smoking or drinking alcohol can cause insomnia.
Best Negative Calorie Night Foods
Nutritionists' advice on what to eat in the evening to lose weight contains information about foods with so-called negative calories. They are also called fat burners:
- Apples. It is recommended to eat them even after a very hearty dinner in order to speed up the digestion process and relieve heaviness in the stomach. The dietary fiber contained in apples is good for the teeth and gastrointestinal tract, and reduces cholesterol levels in the blood. However, people with stomach problems need to be careful when consuming this fruit.
- Citruses. These include oranges, tangerines, and grapefruits. They contain very few calories, but have a lot of vitamin C and fiber, which is good for digestion. People with gastritis and ulcers are not recommended to eat citrus fruits on an empty stomach. The juice irritates the gastric mucosa and causes an exacerbation of the disease.
- Low-fat kefir. Fermented milk products are very beneficial for the intestines. They satiate, eliminate the feeling of hunger and do not lead to extra pounds. It is at night that kefir is absorbed best. It helps to relax and normalize sleep. But people with high stomach acidity are not recommended to drink it.
- Celery. It is recommended for everyone who is losing weight. Celery contains a huge amount of fiber and vitamins. It helps to cope with constipation, swelling, removes toxins and fluid from the body. If eating celery is unpleasant, it is added to vitamin vegetable smoothies or salads.
- Fish. It is best to choose flounder. It contains Omega 3, vitamins, minerals, and is absorbed very quickly. Flounder is a low-fat fish, it contains only 3% fat, but has a perfectly balanced vitamin and mineral composition.
It is important to remember that even healthy foods should not be consumed in large quantities. At night, a piece of fish, a light fruit or vegetable salad, and a glass of fermented milk products will be enough.
Useful tips
Dieting isn't always easy. Losing weight is a complex process that involves not only losing weight, but also maintaining the health of the body. In order not to break your diet, you need to remember the basic recommendations on what you can eat in the evening when losing weight and how to build your diet:
- To improve digestion and reduce appetite, it is recommended to drink a glass of water 20 minutes before bedtime. Preferably warm, but if this is difficult, you can cool it. Water is necessary during a diet and helps improve metabolism. Often hunger is imaginary: in fact, the body did not have enough water.
- Cooking dinner needs to be done responsibly. Satiety depends not only on calories, but also on the psychological factor. Try to serve the dish beautifully, decorate it, and add seasonings.
- You need to eat slowly, chewing thoroughly. It is not recommended to read or watch TV during meals. So the brain is distracted, and it does not receive the signal that the stomach is already full. Those who eat quickly and hastily often eat more than they need.
- If after dinner the feeling of hunger remains too strong, you can drink warm unsweetened tea with milk before going to bed.
At first it will be difficult to get by with a light dinner and go to bed 3 hours later. When you can't bear hunger, you can trick your stomach. Cut fat-burning fruits or fresh vegetables, make beautiful cuts and have a snack.