Contrary to popular belief, the time you eat does not dictate your weight.
Calories at 9 a.m. are the same calories at 9 p.m. If your goal is to maintain, lose or gain, then you must monitor your calories, in and out.
If you take in more calories than you expend, then you will gain weight. Have you ever heard claims that eating after a certain time contributes to weight gain? Consider the reasons why weight gain might occur. Normally, late night snacks or meals are high-calorie items. If that high-calorie item exceeds your calorie intake, for maintaining or losing, then you will gain. If you want to gain weight, then you should eat more calories than you expend. If you want to lose weight, then you should eat 500 calories less from your daily intake.
Regardless of your nutrition goal, make sure that all of your meals are nutritious. Remember, in order to lose weight, you must have a calorie deficit of 3,500 calories every week. Oh, and p.s., there is no such thing as fourth meal. Its three balanced meals a day y’all. I’m Erica Freeman with the Church Health Center.
If you have a question for Life Matters, send it to health@wkno.org