Consuming oats before bed might be something you like to do. Is it bad to eat oatmeal at night? That is what you’re about to find out.
Getting enough sleep is critical for maintaining good health.
Different types of meals and drinks are proven to be bad because they could cause insomnia, and this is because they contain hormones as well as other substances that help to regulate sleep patterns.
Others include significant quantities of antioxidants and minerals, which have been shown to aid in falling asleep faster and staying asleep for extended periods of time. Oatmeal is one of these foods. Oatmeal, like rice, is a high-carbohydrate food, although with a little extra fiber.
But does oatmeal allow you to fall asleep faster if you eat it before bed?
That is the question we’re about to answer in detail.
The consumption of oatmeal before bed has also been shown to help people to fall asleep faster.
Moreover, oats are a well-known source of a critical hormone called melatonin, which plays major role in sleep.
Is it Bad to Eat Oatmeal at Night?
It is not bad to eat oatmeal before bed because it a carbohydrate-rich food and contains more fiber than rice. Therefore, oatmeal right before bed promotes sleep by inducing the production of melatonin. It’s even much better when combined with a fruit.
Eating oats before bed is not a bad thing. That is the good news for you.
Most people feel that oatmeal is only meant for breakfast, but this assumption is wrong. The food can be a great snack alternative at bedtime. Go ahead and enjoy your oats in the evening without feeling any guilt.
Oatmeal is generally healthy and will help you stay fit.
Why is oatmeal good to eat before bed?
Generally, oatmeal is a complex carbohydrate that comes with many health benefits.
Some of these benefits include helping to produce hormones that promote sleep. In fact, 66% of oats are complex carbs.
Other benefits include being an excellent source of protein, manganese, dietary fiber, and vitamin B.
Furthermore, studies have also shown that oatmeal can lower cholesterol level and minimize risk for heart diseases. Since oats regulate bowel movement, having this meal in the evening will improve digestion and make you feel full for long just before you go to bed.
What Happens if You Eat Oatmeal at Night?
When you consume oatmeal at night, you will not be awaken by hunger in the middle of the night. That is because the starch present in the oats naturally break down and release more nutrients slowly throughout the night. This will keep you full for much longer.
Carbohydrates in oats are digesting slowly. Therefore, you will not need to wake up at night hungry due to crashing blood sugar levels.
So, the obvious thing that will happen after eating oatmeal before bed is that no hanger pangs will wake you up before morning.
Staying full throughout the night: Escaping the issue of midnight hunger means that you’ll be able to get better sleep.
We understand that many people hate waking up hungry at night. Many of us have experienced it.
Going to the fridge at 1 or 2 A.M is not fun. Oatmeal just before bed will save you all these frustrations as you will remain full throughout the night.
Waking up happier: Researchers have found that oats stimulate the production of serotonin. Serotonin is a hormone that reduce stress levels and improve your moods.
You will, therefore, wake up happier as the neurotransmitter will also help to make you fall asleep more easily.
Weight loss in the long run: The foods we eat, especially when we are about to go to bed contribute to over 60% of obesity cases worldwide. Metabolism does not slow down as we sleep.
However, physical activities during the day such as walking around supplements metabolism by consuming the excess glucose after a eating.
At night, our bodies tend to convert more sugars into fats because when sleeping, the body does not use a lot of energy compared to daytime when we are engaged and move around a lot.
Replacing unhealthy foods with oatmeal in the evening before sleeping will not only improve sleep but also help to cut a few extra pounds.
Yes, there is a slight chance that having oatmeal at night can lead to weight gain. Starch present in the oats breaks down to release glucose more slowly throughout the night than most foods that cause a spike in blood sugar level. Oatmeal on itself will help reduce weight when consumed at the right time.
So, what is the best time to Eat Oats?
The answer to this is pretty straightforward. There is no specific good time to have an oatmeal. You can eat them at lunch or dinner. However, most people prefer to consume oats in breakfast because it keeps them full.
As such, they will be able to limit hunger that could force them to consume fast food and sugary drinks.
One serving of oatmeal contain enough fibers, magnesium, and complex carbs that will keep the tummy full for several hours. This reduces overeating for the day.
Other that oatmeal, what other foods can you eat at bedtime to avoid gaining weight?
What is the Best Food to Eat at Night?
There are many food options that are okay to eat at night. These include the following:
- Fish
- Protein-pineapple smoothie
- White rice
- Baked sweet potato fries
- Turkey
- Eggs
- Yoghurt
- Cheese and crackers
- Bananas
- Warm cereals
Are There Benefits of Eating Oatmeal Before Bed?
- A Harvard study showed that pats are a pack of vitamins, fiber, minerals, and antioxidants.
- Improves digestion because when oats are soaked for a long time before eating, the starch naturally breaks down. This allows more nutrients to be absorbed which also permits easier digestion.
- Improves quality of sleep. Oatmeal before bed releases serotonin which helps the body to relax thus better sleep.
- Controls blood sugar. Oat contains plenty of fibers and carbs that will not spike the blood sugar levels at night.
- Numerous researches have connected fiber and its putative impact on cardiovascular health via improving blood lipid levels and postprandial effects on blood sugar.