How Much Does the Time of Day You Eat Really Affect Your Weight?  

You've heard a lot about whether or not late-night eating screws with your weight or not. But it's time to set the record straight once and for all. See how the research has evolved, and what the final verdict is on noshing past bed time.

First
A 2005 study in the journal Obesity Research found no link between evening noshing and gaining extra pounds, prompting nutrition pros to declare that bedtime snacking while watching The Daily Show isn't slim-down suicide. Break out the ice cream!

Then
In 2008, researchers showed that people who ate between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. consumed more total calories per day and gained more weight over time. If your freewheeling diet has you eating at oddball hours, chances are you're eating more overall.

Now
A new study found that when people who tended to eat a third of their calories between 6 p.m. and midnight switched to a schedule where they stopped eating between 7 p.m. and 9 a.m., they lost weight and slept better.

The Takeaway
The time of day doesn't matter as much as how much you're eating within 24 hours. To reduce that amount, stick to a food window of 10 or 11 hours, says Satchin Panda, Ph.D. It may keep your circadian rhythm and weight steadier.

This article was originally published in the March 2016 issue of Women's Health.

All gifs courtesy of giphy.com.

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