Why All the Hate For Late-Night Snacks?

Who wants nachos around midnight? Anybody else crave ice cream right before bed? If there is one thing we all know how to do well, it's snack late at night. And trust me, I will never snack shame you. However, syncing our eating patterns with our circadian rhythms--or the 24-hour cycles that are part of our internal clock, as in our sleep-wake patterns--has a significant impact on our overall health. (At some point, expect a deeper dive into circadian rhythms because there's plenty to unpack.)

So, here's what happens when we eat late at night: our blood sugar goes haywire and forces our pancreas into overdrive, our blood pressure rises and our organs get stressed out. Yes, our organs and digestive system need to nap and recharge too. Ultimately, persistent late night snacking causes weight gain--we knew that. (It doesn't help that our metabolism slows down as we age or that we can mindlessly consume a lot while watching Netflix.) I'm actively trying not to eat after 8 p.m. and it's not easy. But I do sleep much better and even see a difference in my skin when I avoid late night binges. Try brushing your teeth after dinner instead of waiting until right before you go to sleep. Works for me...most times.

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