Does it really matter what time you eat? After 8 ...

This is a really good question that doesn't seem answerable by the best experts.  There are many who claim to have the answer, but for every plausible explanation, there is a great counter answer.

Personally, I think there is something to be said for how much food is in your stomach in need of digesting while your body's metabolism has slowed down to sleep.  But I have to believe that whatever you don't digest while sleeping would still "be there" for your body to metabolize when you awaken.  

The truth probably lies somewhere in the middle.  While it's not going to be good for you to go to bed every night with a ton of food in the stomach, it's probably not going to be a problem if you like to have a 10 pm small bowl of cereal every night before retiring.  (Also, going to bed with an extremely full stomach puts major stress on one's heart and circulatory system.)

What I am very sure of, however, is that the whole matter is probably not of much consequence.  If the answer to this question held promise that it would have a major impact on people's weight issues, believe me, it would be answered and understood.  

Truth is, the most important thing is to manage one's calories overall, eat reasonably-timed, well-portioned meals to incorporate your necessary number of calories, and you will lose weight.  

If people would eliminate or minimize sugars and unhealthy fats, eat more fruits & vegetables and exercise more, the question of nighttime eating would become a very small issue. 

I know ... boring ... but true!

Try not to eat carbs after lunch.  Keep evening meals to protein.

You should try to keep evening meals after dinner at a minimum.  If you must eat, eat a protein meal.

Try to avoid meals after dinner. 

 If you do, give yourself 3 hours before sleep. 

Bottom line a calorie is a calorie, no matter what time it was consumed. But what some experts are referring to regarding time, has to do with digestion. If you enjoy your last meal at 8 pm,as opposed to midnight, your body has a chance to fully digest this meal before adding another meal to the top of it. It supposedly helps you to metabolize better. for the best dietary plan check out:

 
http://www.magnetic-diet.com

Beg to differ with all of you.  It's not what you eat or what time you eat, it all boils down to how much.  If you tell yourself you won't eat after whatever time and you get hungry, then what?  Don't deprive yourself.  Have something small and wait at least an hour before bed.  If your body is craving something, eat whatever you are craving--if you deny/ignore the craving, it will get stronger.

It does not matter at what time you eat.. the most important thing in your diet is not let your body feels hungry.. hungry body stores amazing amoun of calories. So, try to eat before feeling hungry, eat as many time as you want and also if you are no so hungry you are able to choose better options.  Sleep hungry is even worst than full !!

I think that it's not so much when you eat, but the amount of total calories you took in during the day..so, if you ate light all day, you can 'afford' the few extra calories at an evening meal; obviously, eating a lot during the day then a heavy meal would not be a good idea!! but if you ate too much during the day, a very small snack or meal would be just right!!!! Some people say to eat nothing 10to 12 hours before your wake up time; I tried that & it drove me nuts...That's way too long to go without food...your blood sugar drops and you are ravenous.....So eat several times throughout the day, and just keep in mind that it's the total amount of what you eat all day that counts, not when you eat it!!!!!!!!!!1