Conventional wisdom is that a calorie is a calorie, no matter when you eat it, and that weight gain is caused by eating more calories than you use.
Nutritionists call this the calories in, calories out theory of weight control, but it might not be as simple as that. New research discovers that the time you eat may play a significant role in gaining weight.
A recent study finds eating a late dinner can cause weight gain and high blood sugar levels regardless of calories.
Researchers found that not everyone reacts the same way, and people who were accustomed to earlier bedtimes had the most weight gain from a late dinner. Night owls were the least affected by a change in mealtime.
According to researchers, there is strong evidence that eating a late meal causes weight gain even if you don’t increase the calories consumed.
Experts say, when working long days it’s a good idea to eat a healthy snack in the afternoon to curb your appetite for a late dinner.
The study found that late eaters had peak blood sugar levels almost 20 percent higher and fat burning reduced by 10 percent, compared with those who ate dinner earlier.
