Facts & Myths about
eating in the evening

I tossed and turned all night. And it wasn't because I wasn't tired. I went to bed at least three hours later than usual, even though I was already at the gym at seven in the morning and had spent six hours in the car. So what were the culprits? Two buckets of red wine (read: converted five glasses) and a basket full of warm chunks of baguette and thick layers of butter with sea salt from the Camargue. Alcohol and greasy food, two things that my body really doesn't like. And that's not strange at all. It has been proven that greasy food disrupts our sleep. And there are many more facts, but also myths surrounding eating in the evening. Are you reading along?

MYTH – Your evening workout was for nothing if you eat afterwards

On the contrary. If you don't eat enough after exercising, your muscles don't have enough nutrients to recover, you're actually working against yourself. Whether you want to gain muscle mass or lose weight, it's important to eat after exercising.

MYTH – Eating in the evening makes you fat

A hard myth. It ultimately comes down to the total calorie intake of the day. If you're hungry at half past eight in the evening, you certainly don't have to dive into bed with a growling stomach and wait until the next morning. Just make sure you make a healthy choice and don't start snacking. A piece of fruit, a bowl of yogurt, or a small bowl of raw vegetables with a dollop of hummus are good snacks to satisfy your hunger.

MYTH – No more vegetables and fruit in the evening

Some foodies claim that eating fruit after dinner causes rotting in the stomach. All the good nutrients would be gone before you can absorb them. Fortunately, our body is smarter than that and can digest carbohydrates, proteins, and fats all at once. The digestive system is set up in such a way that rotting can never occur and it can extract everything it needs from your food. Moreover; a handful of cherries in the evening helps you become sleepy due to the amount of magnesium in this mini-fruit.

FACT – Don't drink too much alcohol in the evening

Although a nightcap may seem like a good idea, it's one of the worst things you can do. Yes, alcohol (especially red wine) makes you sleepy, but it prevents the deep sleep and REM sleep that your body needs.

FACT – Avoid greasy food in the evening

Unfortunately, that bag of chips or that tub of ice cream in front of the television disrupts our sleep. It takes a long time for our body to digest those fatty snacks, causing our body to remain (half) awake during the digestion process. A night of tossing and turning is the result.

FACT – Carbohydrates and proteins promote your sleep

A match made in heaven for a good night's sleep. A banana with a bowl of low-fat yogurt or a piece of chicken breast on a rice cake are ideal pre-bedtime snacks.

FACT – Warm milk before bed helps

And preferably with a banana on the side. Drinking a glass of milk to help you sleep is anything but a myth. Milk contains large amounts of tryptophan, which helps calm the body and induce sleep. Banana contains a hefty dose of magnesium, allowing you to sleep through the night.

FACT – Don't have cola or other soft drinks in the evening

You can't make a worse choice. That glass of cola on the couch not only contains caffeine, it's also extremely acidic and increases the pressure in your stomach. It's the fastest way to ensure a bad night's sleep.