Some sites I have visited say not to eat after about 7:30pm. Other fitness sites say as long as your eating the number of calories you are supposed to be for the day it matters not, even if its right before you go to bed. Which way is correct? Does it matter either way? Also I have heard the phrase "eating clean". What about things like blue (corn) chips with salsa or Breyers has a new "Sugar free" icecream with about 8-14 carbs made from Splenda. Are those still considered bad? thx, Kathleen
Hi Kathleen! The only way that matters is the way that works for you. I think not eating after 7-ish(pm) is just a way to keep you from eating calories at a time that most are winding down and becoming less active. But if you are a very active person with a fast metabolism, or work a graveyard shift, or go to bed very late, your belly will be rumbling like crazy and in need of some fuel to continue on.
I usually try to wind down on my eating about 2.5 to 3.0 hours before bed rather than set an exact time of night for a cut off.
As far as foods, if you use a "fat free" choice or a "sugar free" choice in moderation, these foods will be okay if that supplies you with a bit of motivation to get started on eating better. But I personally think "chemically altered" free is the best choice. Oh know, back to the apple analogy I go ....but in this case I say a wholesome plain apple is better than a bowl of unsweetened apple sauce sweetened with a packet of splenda.
