eating late at night question? - JP Fitness Forums

Nikster · 04-02-2008, 09:02 PM

Here is the situation.....

It's 10pm here and I am hungry (as usual) and I also gave blood tonight.....I am only at 24% on my protein and did 1800-1900 total cals today(non weight training day).....is there anything wrong with protein shakes at night??? This late is it stupid to load up before heading to bed? I just am wondering if it might help with recov. if I am a little low on blood

and low on protein for the day?

I guess my real question is 2 part.....because I also would like to know if you have a time that is NOT good to eat after that will sabotage your goals?

LisaS · 04-02-2008, 09:05 PM

IMO, nothing that you do one time (in diet that is), is going to have a big effect on your reaching your goal - positive or negative.

So even if it was the worst thing you could possibly do (eat an extra clean meal in the evening) - so what, it's one meal.

But I think it's fine. Eat up. Don't worry. Be Happy. My opinion only.

realcdn · 04-02-2008, 09:08 PM

I can't speak to your specific situation (ie. after donating blood), but I take a protein shake every night before heading off to bed. Just water and whey protein, but it keeps me from the old mindless midnight eating I used to do. So for me I work it in to my daily calories.

feralBoy · 04-02-2008, 09:23 PM

I actually heard protein before bed is a good idea. Casein in particular, because it is a slow acting protein, and will help build muscle during the night.

I get so hungry at night that sometimes I can't fall asleep. I think anytime you are hungry, you should eat. It's just absurd to starve, at any point in the day/night. I started eating cottage cheese at night. It's almost all casein protein, and fill you up pretty nicely.

kfisherx · 04-02-2008, 09:37 PM

My trainer instructs me to do a protein shake before going to bed. It is a great time to eat. Yummy. If you are eating clean consistenly you can eat pretty much around the clock.

nutbar · 04-02-2008, 09:55 PM

Count me in as a nightowl eater, too. I see nothing wrong with it.

Littlemermaidklb · 04-03-2008, 06:22 AM

I always eat at night! Actually yesterday i was kind of scrambling to get my cals in... because I thought I had been eating regularly all day but when I plugged it in fitday I was only at 1500 and it was 8pm! So I had some stuff late last night to add some cals, but I admit it may not have been that best food choice last night. Usually I'm pretty good about it though and my choices are better... but I alwasy eat at night.

Nikster · 04-03-2008, 07:21 AM

Thanks everyone, that is very helpful because if I had gone with my pre-programmed brain for dieting.....I would have said NEVER eat past 8pm (no matter what it is)

I appreciate the opinions. I did end up doing it AND getting about 9 hrs of sleep so I am feeling MUCH better this morning than I did last night (I usually only squeeze in about 7 hrs of sleep)

I will start working it in my day bc I have young kids we eat around 5:30 together so by about 8pm, I am hungry and eating calorie dense bad foods at night....a protein shake would be a great alternative. I know this all seems 2nd nature to some of you, but if you have just been a "dieter"....it takes a while to re-program my brain to think MORe FOOD and all the other habits that diets try to break!

haha

THANKS AGAIN!!!
Nik~

Libellula · 04-03-2008, 07:54 AM

I get hungry right before bed and usually fix myself a cup of yogurt and fruit or I won't be able to sleep.

stingo · 04-03-2008, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nutbar

Count me in as a nightowl eater, too. I see nothing wrong with it.

Poor nightowls - no wonder they're on the endangered species list now.

GinnyLou · 04-03-2008, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikster

Here is the situation.....

It's 10pm here and I am hungry (as usual) and I also gave blood tonight.....I am only at 24% on my protein and did 1800-1900 total cals today(non weight training day).....is there anything wrong with protein shakes at night??? This late is it stupid to load up before heading to bed? I just am wondering if it might help with recov. if I am a little low on blood

and low on protein for the day?

I guess my real question is 2 part.....because I also would like to know if you have a time that is NOT good to eat after that will sabotage your goals?

Just wanted to say that I think it is super cool that you are a blood donor.

jvernacchio · 04-03-2008, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by feralBoy

I actually heard protein before bed is a good idea. Casein in particular, because it is a slow acting protein, and will help build muscle during the night.

This is correct. Casein is much slower absorbing. Nightime meals should be protein based.

Here are a couple of my night time favorites I enjoy about an hour before rack time.

1/4 cup Cottage Cheese + 1/4 Canned Pumpkin (not the stuff for pies) + Cinnamon + Almonds = MMM MMM MM

1/2 Cup Cottage Cheese + 1 scoop of Protein + 1/4 cup of diced pinapple (can use any fruit really)

1/2 Cup Cottage Cheese +1 Scoop of Protein + 2 Tbsp of Natural Peanut Butter

1/2 Cup Cottage Cheese +1 Scoop of Protein + 1 or 2 Tsp of Cocoa

Nikster · 04-03-2008, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GinnyLou

Just wanted to say that I think it is super cool that you are a blood donor.

Awww thanks, wasn't trying to be braggy.....just wanted to give the full story and I was feeling pretty weak and tired after. I figured I deserved the extra protein shake

yum! haha
Nik~

Nikster · 04-03-2008, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jvernacchio

This is correct. Casein is much slower absorbing. Nightime meals should be protein based.

Here are a couple of my night time favorites I enjoy about an hour before rack time.

1/4 cup Cottage Cheese + 1/4 Canned Pumpkin (not the stuff for pies) + Cinnamon + Almonds = MMM MMM MM

1/2 Cup Cottage Cheese + 1 scoop of Protein + 1/4 cup of diced pinapple (can use any fruit really)

1/2 Cup Cottage Cheese +1 Scoop of Protein + 2 Tbsp of Natural Peanut Butter

1/2 Cup Cottage Cheese +1 Scoop of Protein + 1 or 2 Tsp of Cocoa

Might be stupid question....but do you just STIR these or BLEND them like a shake? I dont have a blender (it broke) but I am going to get one after seeing what I am missing!

I just can't resist trying anything with the words "MMM MMM MMM" after it!!!!

LisaS · 04-03-2008, 12:23 PM

just stir in I should think - blending cottage cheese can go from blend to liquify pretty fast.

jvernacchio · 04-03-2008, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikster

Might be stupid question....but do you just STIR these or BLEND them like a shake? I dont have a blender (it broke) but I am going to get one after seeing what I am missing!

I just can't resist trying anything with the words "MMM MMM MMM" after it!!!!

Just stir it. Some of it doesn't look pretty but it sure tastes good.