Q. Why do experts say to avoid eating after 8 PM — do late-night meals cause weight gain?
Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.
Why do experts say to avoid eating after 8 PM — do late-night meals cause weight gain ?
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Slower Metabolism at Night: Your body naturally slows down in the evening, which means it burns fewer calories. Eating late can lead to unused energy being stored as fat.
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Disrupted Digestion: Eating after 8 PM can interfere with proper digestion. Lying down soon after a meal may cause issues like acid reflux or bloating.
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Poor Food Choices: Late-night eating often involves high-calorie snacks like chips, sweets, or fast food — not nutritious meals — leading to weight gain .
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Increased Calorie Intake: Many people consume more calories than needed at night, especially after already meeting their daily calorie limit.
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Hormonal Imbalance: Late-night eating can affect hormones like insulin and melatonin, which regulate hunger, sleep, and metabolism.
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Interrupted Sleep: Heavy meals late in the evening can make it harder to fall asleep or sleep deeply, and poor sleep is linked to increased appetite and fat gain.
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Less Physical Activity: After 8 PM, most people are less active, meaning fewer opportunities to burn off the calories they consume.
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Emotional Eating: Nighttime cravings are often driven by boredom, stress, or emotional triggers rather than true hunger.
Conclusion:
Experts recommend avoiding meals after 8 PM because your body’s ability to burn calories is reduced, leading to fat storage and potential weight gain . Following a healthy eating schedule aligned with your body clock supports better digestion, sleep, and metabolism.
Want to stay healthy and fit? Understand Why do experts say to avoid eating after 8 PM — do late-night meals cause weight gain ? and make smart food choices today!
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