Carbs before bed?

[iron_worker]

I tend to rotate my carb and non carb meals and it just so happened to be that my last meal was a carb meal tonight. Got me to thinking is this a good idea? Or should your before bed meal be a strictly protein and possibly veggies?

Thanks,

IronWorker

[Ross86]

Well, as of last week I was trying to do the protein + veggie thing before bed. But then I read on a post somewhere on the site that it didn't matter. Carbs are carbs are carbs. Which translates to: calories are calories are calories.

It really doesn't matter when you take your calories in. If you burn those calories, then you burn them. If not, then not.

[Pitysister]

sometimes i'll have peanut butter on whole wheat before i go to bed...it's never kept me up...if that's what you're worried about

[iron_worker]

I'm just worried about the body being inactive and having a greater tendancy to take those calories and store them as fat since there is no crisis for energy when you're laying down and/or sleeping.

[Frontline]

I'm just worried about the body being inactive and having a greater tendancy to take those calories and store them as fat

Exactly, I would taper your carbs off the closer you get to your bedtime if your goal is fat loss. Your body has a greater tendency to store extra carbohydrates as fat energy reserves as long as your glycogen levels are already replenished. Assuming that you replenished your glycogen levels with carbs after your workouts and earlier meals there is no point in eating carbs with your last meal as your body won't have the opportunity to use the carbs.

I'd eat a meal of mainly protein and healthy fats as your last meal. Some sort of slow digesting protein will also keep you full longer instead of having a shake. Personally I am a big fan of cottage cheese near night time and if you add in some fibrous veggies to your meal you should be held over for the night.

[iron_worker]

Alright thanks Sleazy. Thats what my intuition told me. I like to have carbs for my PPWO nutrition and after I do cardio. I figure these are the times when the body needs it most. I'll also add some in other places during the day if I'm feeling depleted or my total cals are too low. I need to go out and get some good fat sources such as almonds or something. As of now I have nothing but grocery shopping is coming shortly.

IronWorker

[jessca]

how long should u not eat before bedtime? i've heard u shouldnt eat after 9... but is that when ur going to bed at 10? 11? i tend to go to bed at 12, what time should i stop eating in order for my food to be burned? sorry if this is a dumb question

[TALO]

I eat right before bed. Usually just a protein shake. If you plain on sleeping for 8hrs you will want something in .

[Ross86]

It kind of depends on your goals I think. Do you still eat before bed if you're strictly on a cutting diet? I suppose you would if maintaining muscle mass was important. But if it wasn't important, would you still eat at night?

[Frontline]

how long should u not eat before bedtime? i've heard u shouldnt eat after 9... but is that when ur going to bed at 10? 11? i tend to go to bed at 12, what time should i stop eating in order for my food to be burned? sorry if this is a dumb question

Different for different goals...I personally prefer to eat my last meal and try to hit the sack around 30 mins later. In all reality your not going to be "burning" the calories in those last meals unless your being active which is usually not the case right before bed.

I use my last meal as a way of feeding my body throughout the night. That being said I usually try to eat a slow digesting protein or some protein with healthy fats to slow down the digestion. This should deliver nutrients to your body for a longer period throughout the night.