Myth Buster The Later the Meal the More Fattening the Food - AARP Bulletin

Myth Buster The Later the Meal the More Fattening the Food

Myth: Eating late causes more weight gain than earlier meals. Facts: Those late-night munchies aren’t as fattening as was once thought, studies show. “A calorie is a calorie,” says Susan Yanovski, M.D., a director in the Obesity and Eating Disorders Program at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. “Eating it at night versus other times of the day doesn’t make a difference.” Many people who chow down late, however, are consuming extra calories that they don’t really need. “Nighttime is a time when people do mindless eating because they are bored or tired,” says Yanovski. Find another activity to substitute for nighttime eating, she suggests. “If you are stressed, take a bath; if you’re tired, go to bed.” Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures

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