Ok does it really matter what time of day you eat your last meal?

So for years and years I've heard "Don't eat after 7 because then you go to bed and it just stores as fat.". Is that true? Does it really matter if I eat the same dinner at 7 (4 hours before bed) or 10 (1 hour before bed)? Is it not just a matter of calories in, calories out?

I seem to recall reading that Sumo wrestlers in training eat a big meal before bed to help them gain weight and it always stuck in my mind, so I never was much of a night eater.  Then I found out I have barretts so I MUST stop eating at least two hours before I lay down.

I really don't know the science but it really is not just calories in/calories out because our bodies are not ruled by math.  Otherwise most of us would not be here LOL :)

It's true. But post op I snack up until bed time or I wake up jittery.

It does NOT matter what time you eat your last meal.  That is a myth.

I always eat right before I go to bed. It has not affected me. I also think it's calories in, calories out.

If I eat too close to when I go to bed, I belch up acid like acid reflex problems. Talked to my doctor about it and she advised me not to eat after 7 at night. I have not had problems with it after that. I know this is another problem and not related to weight loss, but for ME it was a bad idea to eat after 7 at night and I don’t do it. A friend of mine had this problem after WSL belched up during sleep, sucked it into her lungs and damn near died. She was in the hospital for a long time.

It's a myth as far as weight gain is concerned.  However, RNY patients can have problems with acid reflux and such if they eat right before bed.

I probably eat more than most people on this forum but I will eat right up until I go to bed some nights.  I have never seen a weight increase throughout the night.

What is important is the source of your calories and the balance of calories in versus out.

As others have mentioned, it does not matter as far as weight loss/gain, but it does matter if you suffer from reflux (and should not eat shortly before bed) or if you suffer from hypoglycemia (and should eat before bed in order to avoid waking up shaky).  I fall into the latter category and purposely eat a balanced protein/carb snack about 30 minutes before bedtime.  It is often full fat cheese or involves nuts, so is relatively high in fats and calories, but doing so has not affected maintaining my weight loss in any way.

Lora