05 Nov This Habit Might Be Causing Your Unwanted Weight Gain

If losing weight is one of your better health goals this year, you might want to ditch late-night eating.   

Researchers believe that late-night eating goes against your circadian rhythm, a cycle responsible for telling your body when to eat, sleep, and wake up.  

The circadian rhythm usually dictates that nighttime is for resting and not for eating.  

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Late-Night Eating and Weight Gain  

A 2022 study found emerging evidence that the timing of food intake can affect weight gain and the state of adiposity. The study further noted that later meal eating can negatively affect weight regulation and may develop obesity over time.  

It can also result in acid reflux, especially if you go to bed right after the meal. It may cause gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in the long term.  

 Aside from unwanted weight gain, nighttime eating can also cause an increase in the risk of cancer, diabetes, and mortality, according to a 2024 research.  

There are also other factors affecting late-night eating such as tiredness and work shifts.   

Shift workers might choose unhealthy food choices for convenience. Tiredness has also been linked to choosing poorer food choices, including stress, anxiety, and boredom.  

How Can I Stop My Late-Night Snacking  

If you have the habit of nighttime eating, there are ways to deviate from the practice.  

• Eat your meals regularly: Make sure that you eat full nutritional meals during the day to prevent yourself from craving a snack late at night.  

• Identify the cause or trigger: determine whether it is an emotional trigger, tiredness, or overall stress. Sometimes your emotional stress can be the cause of your nighttime snacking.  

• Distract yourself: if your snacking habits are rooted in boredom, engage yourself in other productive activities such as journaling, going out for a walk, reading, or working out.  

• Choose your snacks wisely: if you cannot help but have a snack, at least keep a healthy one at your home. Avoid having unhealthy food options in your home.   

• Brush your teeth before bed 

• Go to sleep early  

Meal planning and knowing your lifestyle habits can help you achieve your better health goals. 

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