Myth: You Shouldn’t Eat Before Bed

There’s a common belief that eating before bedtime will lead to weight gain, as the body doesn’t have time to burn off calories while you sleep. People avoid eating in the evening, thinking that late-night snacks will contribute to an increase in body fat.

Eating before bed doesn’t automatically cause weight gain. The key factor in weight gain is consuming more calories than the body needs throughout the day. The idea that your metabolism slows significantly while you sleep is a misunderstanding. While it’s true that your metabolism slows down at night, your body continues to burn calories even while at rest. However, late-night eating may sometimes lead to overconsumption of calories, particularly when people snack on high-calorie foods, which can contribute to weight gain. The best approach is to be mindful of portion sizes and the types of food consumed, regardless of the time of day. Eating a small, balanced snack before bed is not inherently harmful and may even be helpful for some individuals, particularly those with active lifestyles.