Eating before going to sleep?

[GoOnyGoOGoO]

I need more info regarding this...some people tell me its not good to eat before you go to sleep cause digestion isnt that good during sleep and i've also heard that taking something rich in protein before you go to sleep is good...
which theory is right?
is it healthy to eat somethin before u go to sleep...like eggs or cereal or sumthin like that?
thx

 

[gsxr600]

Theres many different theories concerning midnight mass. I have experimented with it and have added weight, however in doing so, i never really got a decent night sleep.
This is due to your body trying to digest the food, so I got some what of a restless night sleep. I really need my sleep so i just said fugg that and havent had meals before i went to sleep since.
THis is just my experience, however i have read numerous studies (out side of body building circle etc) that eating before you go to sleep really effects the amount of time your in REM and SWS sleep (deepest sleep states) because your body is working to digest the food.

So in the end it probably depends if you can get a good nights sleep with eating before you sleep, and if not Which do you value more sleep or a little size?

 

[Thaibox]

IMO, for bodybuilders, eating before sleep is essential. You only really grow and recover when you sleep. Why would you go into this process with no materials to build with? I eat a full meal about 1.5 hours before I crash, then a shake with about 50g slow absorbing protein right before I sleep. Most of the time I'll wake up in the middle of the night and have more.

Some people say that the digestion process disrupts sleep patterns. I eat a lot before bed and always sleep like a baby

 

[gsxr600]

yeah i agree with thaibox sortof, It all depends on what your body can handle.
just to reiterate...

 

[gonelifting]

gsxr600 Have you tried low/no carb meals before sleep? Would that have helped?

 

[gsxr600]

yeah i useually just had a protein shake before bed, I added some olive oil so it digested slower, or i'd just drink straight protein, but i still didnt get a good night sleep.
I can handle it about 2 hours before i sleep but not right before...

 

[Scaggs]

I agree with Thaibox. I cant sleep unless my belly is full. During the best time for GH release (sleepy time), Why wouldn't you want fuel for building? Hit the nail right on the head. Although some peoples metabs are so slow they tend to just store too much fat. At that point you should just figure out what works best for you, get a good balance of nutrients. Even just a quick pure whey protein would even be good right before bed.

Remember, protein is the only thing that builds muscle. Make sure you have it.

Scaggs

 

[coolcolj]

I always go to sleep on an empty stomach.

I like my GH release

 

[louden_swain]

If anyone chooses to eat before bed, I suggest ironhead pudding (refer to diet board).

 

[b fold the truth]

I was talking to some of my Greek friends the other day and they could NOT believe how much/often I ate. They were eating 1-2 meals a day and I was eating ALL THE TIME...lol.

I explained to them that I ate a full meal as I was laying down to go to bed then had another one (ice cream) when I woke up hungry in my sleep (they thought I said that I could eat the entire country of Hungary in my sleep...lol).

B True

 

[crew9]

I could never go to bed on an empty stomach. My stomach would never allow it. Hmmmmm me thinks I'm going to have to try that ironman pudding sometime =).

 

[nikkita]

I don't like to go to bed without having my last meal, I try to make it with protein and low on carbs. I'm positive on that you grow while you sleep.

 

[scout420]

Try eating some cottage cheese before bed it's a long acting protein and will help your body recover greatly while sleeping...

 

[m0t03]

I always drink a protein shake before bed, and sometimes some cottage cheese and maybe a little PB.

Mike

 

[JoBu]

I usually have a big meal about 2-3 hours before bed, then a shake at bed time. When I'm lifing really hard I like to put down another shake in the middle of the night too I eat constantly

JoBu

 

[grlpwrd]

I eat cottage cheese before bed or 7 egg whites plus 1 egg yolk for the same reason scout420 posted. The little bit of fat helps, too.

 

[Welsh power house]

i have always eaten just before i hit the sack. I usually eat 2 hours before then have a protein drink in milk for that sloooow realse muscle building protein.

LOL, there is a powerlifting guy at my gym.....very strong & absolutly f'i'n huge who eats a 500ml tub of ice cream before bed along with a protein shake.....how hes not fat as hell beats the hell outta me.....genetics(?)......go figure!

 

[Legion Kreinak2]

Yeah, those damn genetics just aren't fair.

I usually eat ice cream before bed. No weight on my tummy either.

Not every night, though. But when I do it's usually relaxin' with a huge glass of milk, watchin' a good movie if I catch one. If we have ice cream + milk + good movie, then we have a very full-stomached me who sleeps like a baby (i.e., wakes up and cries every twenty minutes) ^^;

Needless to say, my digestive system doesn't work properly when horizontal. I should try sleeping like a bat.

 

[PHATchik]

I normally go to bed on an empty stomach.

 

[MrRTTB]

When bulking I eat 40-50g slow carbs, with fibers and 50-60g protein(20g casein, 20g from fish and 20g from meat) before bedtime. If I wake up in the middle of the night I eat some 20g or so of tuna or meat or kasein. When I wake up, like 2 seconds after I have 20g Whey, then after that I eat a big breakfast.

When cutting, or when main goal are to loose fat while gaining a bit slower in LBM(example when I've been bulking hard for 14-20 days, put on fat pretty easy) I never eat more than 10g carbs before bedtime, also take 5g omega3 oil and 45-50g protein.

 

[PolishHammer1977]

I routinely have a big bowl of oatmeal before bed. Few things stick to your ribs better than oatmeal.