Wellness Wire: The Benefits of Late Night Snacks

Calling all late-night snackers! You’ll be happy to hear that you no longer have to feel guilty for giving into those late-night cravings, within good reason, of course. FoxNews recently published an article that was featured in Men’s Health magazine to enlighten readers of new studies that proved there are benefits of late-night snacking. For years, dieters and weight-conscious individuals have lived by the rule not to eat after 8 p.m., as snacking late at night typically occurs when your metabolism is slowest. Sound familiar? You may want to think this over. New studies from around the world show that eating at night lead to increased muscle mass, a faster metabolism and less hunger.

So what about all these years we’ve lived by the rules of not eating post-dinner? Why is this study just being published now? Well, this research, published in Men’s Health found that certain foods lead to potential benefits.

First: more muscle. This research said that casein, the main protein in milk, consumed ‘after an evening workout, but 30 minutes before bed increased protein synthesis in men.’ Scientists from the Netherlands who published a study in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise found that snacking at night could lead to increased muscle mass and a faster metabolism. Another study from Florida State University said that men who eat a small snack, consisting of around 150 calories, having a higher metabolic rate in the morning versus consuming nothing at all. Fueling your metabolism throughout the day is beneficial to faster calorie burning, but who knew snacking at night could produce the same effects!

Another study from Florida State University said that having a snack before bed reduces the starving feeling you have when you wake up, causing you to be less hungry, and even consume less. Eating before bed may increase satiety between meals the next day. Although the specific food depends on your weight goals, having snacks containing protein is smart to help build muscle. The last bit of information is slightly shocking—eating late at night can help lower weight. This is a piece of information that contradicts all we’ve learned about not eating at night. How is it possible to have lower weight when you snack and then go right to bed? Well, when you sleep, you technically are burning calories. While they aren’t active calories, your body burns off any food and uses it as energy. In a study from Wayne State University, people who ate cereal before bed lost about two pounds in four weeks, while those who didn’t have the cereal lost about half a pound. But be careful what cereal you choose. Don’t pour a large bowl of a sugary cereal, or one that contains chemicals or artificial sweeteners. Still be smart about the food choices you are making!

This article published in Men’s Health may cause controversy between strict dieters as to what is helpful for your health. Each body responds differently, but this article does have one major takeaway. If you are starving yourself for four hours before you go to bed and sleeping on a nearly empty stomach throughout the night, chances are you’ll have less energy for that morning workout, or the more you’ll eat in the morning. Eating a healthy, protein-filled snack late at night may prevent those morning binges. Fueling your body for your own weight or muscle goals is ideal. For example, if you seek to increase your muscle mass, eating protein as a late-night snack would benefit you. For those watching their weight, eating some light vegetables or almonds would be perfect to combat your cravings, but also keep you astray from the sugary and fattening snacks. Snacking is moderation is important to prevent binges, and keep your metabolism fueled. This article may be onto something, after all. Remember to listen to your body, and how it responds to what you fuel it with.

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