Carbs at night...

**hondacrazy** · 08-05-2008, 08:25 PM

Each night between 8pm and 10pm, I get hungry (makes sense bc it's 2-3 hours after dinner). Usually I would have a protein shake but is it better to just not eat/drink anything to avoid the carbs? The protein shake I drink has anywhere between 20-30 grams per serving and has 15-25 grams of protein.

I don't want my body to go into a catabolic state while I sleep bc that's obviously counter-productive. What are my alternatives?

**novastepp** · 08-05-2008, 08:50 PM

really depends on what you're doing all day. but i live by carbs. every meal. so i say don't avoid them unless they don't fit into your dietary approach.

**hondacrazy** · 08-06-2008, 10:28 AM

I'm pretty active all day. I sweat alot and drink tons of water to keep hydrated...but I honestly don't know if that has much to do with my carb intake as I get closer to bed time...

**StoneGRMI** · 08-06-2008, 10:52 AM

Depends on the rest of your diet like nova said. Cutting? Bulking? Maintaining? I don't eat carbs close to bed time just because I've done the trial and error to figure out that I get better results w/o them then. Try some cottage cheese or something slow digesting like that.

**T3/T4 GSR** · 08-06-2008, 01:34 PM

I would try and cut them out. I have started doing DC training and the main dieting philosophy is eat all the protien you want and pound back the carbs till around your last 2 meals before bed and then stick to pro/fat and trace amounts of carbs such as green veggies. So basically still eat 4k cals a day but cut the carbs at night and do cardio in the am on an empty stomach and you will grow and stay quite lean.

**hondacrazy** · 08-06-2008, 02:51 PM

I think I'm going to cut them out completely after 6pm and just eat protein to stop the hunger. I'm 5'11" 205 lbs and I'm trying to lose maybe 2 more inches off my waist (32). Carbs obviously aren't going to help me do that...

Thanks for the advice

**novastepp** · 08-06-2008, 07:56 PM

Originally Posted by hondacrazy

I think I'm going to cut them out completely after 6pm and just eat protein to stop the hunger. I'm 5'11" 205 lbs and I'm trying to lose maybe 2 more inches off my waist (32). Carbs obviously aren't going to help me do that...

Thanks for the advice

that couldn't be further from the truth. but good luck.

**hondacrazy** · 08-06-2008, 09:11 PM

Originally Posted by novastepp

that couldn't be further from the truth. but good luck.

Ok...please elaborate so I can understand

**hotpink** · 08-06-2008, 09:18 PM

Originally Posted by hondacrazy

Ok...please elaborate so I can understand

http://forums.steroid.com/showthread.php?t=341121

**hotpink** · 08-06-2008, 09:22 PM

Really, I thought the same thing. Then nova gave me advice and I read that thread. Its only been two days that I've been on a pro/carb diet and I can already tell a difference. You have to eat the right carbs though.

**DNoMac** · 08-06-2008, 09:38 PM

I typically try to keep my carb meals to breakfast, pre/post/and post-post workout. However, I had success eating carbs before bed when bulking. As long as it fits into your daily macros, I don't think it should be too much of an issue. Obviously it depends on the source of your carbs, but I'm assuming you know good vs bad carb sources.

**T3/T4 GSR** · 08-06-2008, 10:36 PM

Originally Posted by novastepp

that couldn't be further from the truth. but good luck.

I really think that will go on a person to person basis. I have seen people make a big difference by limiting carbs close to bed time and I have seen it do nothing but make some people more hungry.

**novastepp** · 08-10-2008, 11:53 AM

Originally Posted by T3/T4 GSR

I really think that will go on a person to person basis. I have seen people make a big difference by limiting carbs close to bed time and I have seen it do nothing but make some people more hungry.

finding an individual approach that works is the best bet. and in my opinion, carb cycling and pro/carb diets are hands down the best way to go. it may not be the best choice if you are obese, or trying to lose a lot of weight to arrive at a desirable bf%, but after that i think it's the best way to diet.

**T_Own** · 08-10-2008, 12:28 PM

i agree you need carbs, but if you eat a fair amount at 10pm, and go to sleep shortly after that isn't very good is it? i can see having time to digest, but not like right before bed.

and that seems like a lot of carbs for a protein shake

**speedtraining** · 08-10-2008, 12:37 PM

Eating carbs late can affect your bodys ability to produce maximal natty growth hormone , I've read this in multiple studies...I do sometimes eat carbs at night though if I'm really hurting or in a pinch, just stick to a low gi: Oatmeal, Barley, Sweet Potatoe you'll be fine just don't be consistantly eating carbs before bed.

Speed.

**novastepp** · 08-10-2008, 01:22 PM

Originally Posted by speedtraining

Eating carbs late can affect your bodys ability to produce maximal natty growth hormone , I've read this in multiple studies...I do sometimes eat carbs at night though if I'm really hurting or in a pinch, just stick to a low gi: Oatmeal, Barley, Sweet Potatoe you'll be fine just don't be consistantly eating carbs before bed.

Speed.

i'd like to see what you've read because i've rerad the contrary. considering your gh release can be slowed by insulin doesn't mean actual amounts are lowered. and the majority of your gh release is actually longer into your sleep cycle. about 5-6 hours in. so any reaction from a carbohydrate meal would be nil.

also, steady insulin levels keep you leaner and promote fat loss. so continuing to use carbs throughout teh day would positively effect your body fat percentage.

plus, forget what the mass media says. as many times and people say how correct carbs and carb timing is beneficial and not negative... someone always throws out my grandmother's advice about no carbs after 6 and don't eat before bed...especially carbs.

**speedtraining** · 08-11-2008, 07:04 AM

I won't argue with Novastep once your shreaded ocasional late night low GI carbs are fine but if you are trying to get there faster then slower then you should try not to eat them late. As for reports Novastep you can google it. A word from the wise if your trying to get shreaded don't eat carbs late night you will enjoy them more after your morning cardio anyways.

I also take Calcium, Magnesisum and Zinc before bed as well as melotonin, the first three help up the anny on your own natty GH release in REM sleep and the melotonin will get you into REM faster... try it out and good luck!

Speed.