Do you always feel the need to eat or snack up during the darkest hours of the night? It can be as a result of busy schedules. Late night meals always to the rescue, but could this be harmful on your health?
Yes! late night meals has proven to cause lots of health damages including excessive weight gain and belly fat too.
Infact, late night food can increase in sugar level, may cause heart diseases, obesity and high acidity.
Primarily, if you eat late at night, it gives you body less chances to prepare for sleep. This can also have adverse effects on your cognition and productivity for the next day.
Dangers of Late Night Meals
1. Excessive weight gain and Stomach Fat:
Research has proven that eating very late at night can cause weight gain and belly fat. Including side fats too. Many people believe that watching your calories intake can help maintain or reduce weight, yes this is true but late night food could hinder your journey of weight-loss.
This is because these calories you are consuming at late hours will more likely be stored as fat in your body, which will lead to an increase in weight.
2. HeartBurn
Growing up, I had this habit of eating at midnight but I usually suffer heartburns after eating especially after eating a proteinous food
Study has shown that eating so soon before bedtime can increase the rate for heartburns, acidity, pain the middle chest or night time acid reflux.
This is because the stomach is struggling to digest the food while you lie in bed, therefore, pressure of food metabolizing can lead to the loosening of Lower Esophageal Sphincter.
This allows undigested food and stomach acids to travel back up the esophagus. It is advisable you sit up at least 2 hrs before going to bed.
3. Poor Cognitive skills
Yes it is not just the heart that suffers, the memories too. when you eat late night meals, it puts the health of the brain at risk.
Timing of meals have effects on brain physiology and psychological behaviour. The irregular eating patterns affect the circadian system, this could in turn affects the brain’s ability of learning, memorising and concentration.
How to Stop Late Night Eating!
- Avoid eating junk food during night
- Feeling stressed can also lead to cravings for comfort food. Hence, it is extremely important to calm yourself before going to bed
- Avoid eating past 8pm
- If you eat an early dinner, you might feel hungry by the time you go to bed. For this reason, include healthy snacks in your eating routine like nuts or apple.
Effective Tip for Losing Belly Fats?
Lots of people gain belly fats for various kinds of reasons, including poor diet, lack of exercise, late night meals and stress. Improving nutrition, increasing activity, and making other lifestyle changes can all help.
1. Cut back on processed Carb
Very high intake of processed carbs is linked with excessive belly fat. You can try reducing your carb intake or replacing processed carbs in your diet with healthy carb sources, such as whole grains, legumes, or vegetables.
Reducing your carb intake can be very beneficial for losing fat, including abdominal fat.
2. Engage in Aerobic Exercises
Engaging in aerobic exercise is an effective weight loss method. Studies suggest it is specifically effective at slimming the waistline.
Aerobic cardio exercise is a very effective way to improve your health and burn calories.
3. Include Apple Cider to your Meal
Study has shown that apple cider contains acetic acid, which has been shown to reduce abdominal fat storage in several animal studies.
Drinking apple cider vinegar has a spectacular health benefits, including lowering blood sugar levels
4. Observe Intermittent Fasting
Intermittent fasting is an eating order that alternates between periods of eating and fasting. Recent Studies suggest that it could be one of the most effective ways to lose weight and belly fat. Intermittent fasting has recently become very popular as a weight loss method.
In Summary
Late night food can increase in sugar level, may cause heart diseases, obesity and high acidity. Belly fat is more than a nuisance that makes your clothes feel tight and lead to emotional distress. Healthy food, regular workouts and healthy routine can keep you in check
