I think this is a matter of individual chemistry -- there are A LOT of diet-related rumors, myths, beliefs, etc. circulating so even if theoretically eating 300g's of carbs a day, eating carbs (or at all) before bed, etc shouldn't make you gain weight, that doesn't mean that that is universally true. Given how many people can't handle so many carbs AT ALL, I would tend to say that eating them late at night would also have some negative effects on at least some people too.

Dieticians and doctors change what they think/say about weight loss like every 3 minutes and I personally find a lot of their suggestions AREN'T helpful -- the 300-ish g's of carbs a day is one of the ones I disagree with the most for myself. I also think eating a higher fat diet than recommended is not universally bad, either (I think the whole low-fat thing is a little misguided, in fact, even though it's the "official" doctor-endorsed diet).

Having said that, I usually wind up eating dinner at 8PM or later most nights because I'm usually not even home from work until around 7:00, and that's if I don't stop at the gym first, but I fel better the next morning if I can eat closer to 7:30 or 8:00, rather than at 10.

It does matter what time you eat on bob greene's best life diet it says that since you are less active later during the day you should eat less... so eat bfast like a king lunch like a queen and dinner like a prince or something to that effect

I tend to cut down on carbs later at night, but that's becasue it works for me. I don't think it really matters though, your metabolism has no concept of time, so it isn't going to matter if you eat carbs late at night or not. I think the myth comes from the fact that late at night many people tend to eat foods like cake and pie and comfort food. If you eat that right before you go to sleep, chances are you're going to gain weight.

i read that your metabolism does slow down later during the day because you are less active

I told one of the guys in the office that there is medical research to back up both our claims and that it ultimately depends on the person. He couldn't argue with that and he didn't have the rest of the guys around to gain up on me again. :)

My proof is my weightloss of course, but out driver at work actually listened to me and he's lost weight. I didn't rub it in their faces just smiled.

So there u go :)

Originally Posted by :
i read that your metabolism does slow down later during the day because you are less active

Unless you're a night person like me, in which case you're MUCH more acitve at night. I am a slug in the morning, even after my cup of coffee. I don't get my energy up until after noon, and I am at my best in the early evening (which is when I workout) until well after midnight. :)

We're all different.

My mama always told me if you eat cereal at night you'll get fat. Now I don't know if thats cause she hated it when we gorged on cocoa puffs after she went to bed or if she just didn't like us jumping around on a sugar high, but to this DAY she still tells me that when I offer my ultra skinny son cereal if he's hungry right before bed.
My theory is if my mama said it, its probably got some basis in old wives tale fact.