Health Tips
The consequences could include:
Disruption of ones’ sleep pattern. Eat-
ing late at night could interfere with
good night sleep as heavy meals
could result in discomfort, tossing
and turning uncomfortably in bed
It causes difficulty in cutting down
and achieving your lofty plans of los-
ing weight because these unburnt
calories could be stored as fat in the
body
It is harmful to the body metabolic
system as it affects the resting energy
expenditure (decreased carbohydrate
metabolism, decreased glucose toler-
ance e.t.c); simply it increases the risk
of insulin resistance and therefore an
inclination to diabeties and heart dis-
eases.
It hampers memory and concen-
tration levels as it affects the brain
health / brain physiology (ability to
learn, concentrate and memorize)
It could result in nightmares; spicy
and dairy products are culprits
It could likely result in acid reflux, that
is possibly allowing undigested foods
and stomach acids travelling up the
food pathway / oesophagus (regurgi-
tation). the body mistakes thirst for hun-
ger. You might just be thirsty and
not hungry
Choking on regurgitated food may
occur in people with pre-existing
problems • Develop relaxing bedtime exer-
cise to relieve stress / boredom
that could cause food cravings.
A late-night eating habit reconditions
ones’ eating and may cause repetitive
Night Eating Syndrome (NES) which is
eagerness to eat at night even when
not hungry. 03
02
How to overcome late night
eating habit
• Eat affordable balanced dinner
of healthy protein, carbohydrate
and fats. Eat between 7:00pm-
07:30pm or earlier
• Avoid stocking your house/fridge
with junk food. Most people vent
their boredom, anger or loneli-
ness on snacks
• Go to bed early. If going to bed
late triggers hunger, take some
slices of apple or few almonds to
avert stomach discomfort
• Take a good quantity of water be-
fore retiring to bed. Sometimes
Recommended Late Night
Foods
If late night eating cannot be avoided
for example due to late night work/
jobs/schedule, long hour’s journeys
commuting back home e.t.c. you
could take some light snacks but
avoid spicy, sugary or caffeinated
foods.
The following are some suggested
likely late night foods:
Slices of apple
Slice of grilled chicken
Smear of mashed avocado pear on
crisp bread
Small bowl of chopped fruits like
pawpaw or water melon
Remember to brush your teeth or
wash your mouth thoroughly before
you retire to bed.
By Felix Atotajovwo
VOLUME
01
What are the implications
of late-night feeding?
17