Bedtime Meal

[BigMann1]

Clearly in a cutting diet you would limit carb intake in the hours before bed as your body would be unable to use them for energy and they would turn into bodyfat.

But what about when on a bulking diet? I usually try to eat something high protein before bed (often a shake).

Are carbs okay this late in the day? Hi glycemic vs. low glycemic?, etc...

 

[diamonddiceclay]

I always eat 1 or 2 protein bars before bed on my bulking diet because they are high in protein and easy to digest

 

[asone]

A good before meal would be 1/2 cup cottage cheese with 1/4 cup oatmeal mixed together. If your watching the carbs then sub the oatmeal with sugar-free pudding. If not watching your carbs N.Y.strip steak, sweet potato, and steamed broccoli.


asone.....

 

[Stryc-9]

i've never found that adding some low glycemic carbs to some protein ever hurt me before bed (while bulking)....

...but psychologically - i always feel guilty....just because of how often you hear "those night-time carbs will make you fat"...but ofcourse - when you're bulking a little bit of fat is inevitable, no?

...just give it a try for a week or two and watch your body!! if it works - stick with it....

if you feel like shamu in the morning.....well....

 

[MR. BMJ]

Correct, ultimately it will come down to how many calories your consuming to how many you are using. Therefore, as long as you are under that amount, you will have no problems. Carbs before bed with some protein (and preferrably some fiber), will not impede your progress. In fact, it will help keep protein synthesis going while you are asleep. As to whether or not they should be high or low GI, this will also depend on your total calorie amount. However, it would be a wise choice to just be safe and use the low GI meal since low GI's help promote a better lipolytic (fat burning) environment for the body. High GI's will not particularly get you fat as long as the calories are debited, but then it will not really help the fat burning process either. If one were to decide to go the high GI route, which we all do at some time or another because its just natural and impossible to eat right all the time, then try to at least add some kind of slow digesting protein and some fiber to hopefully lower the GI/insulin spike that will follow.

MR. BMJ