Eating at Night: Is it Right for YOUR Diet Type?

Many times people tell us one of their personal dietary rules is that they do not eat anytime after 7:00pm. Many have read this theory in a magazine or just felt it was a “healthy” thing to do. But one of the key points to the Hauser Diet™ is that there is no one diet that is healthy for everyone – and this also applies to things like whether it is a good idea to eat at night! So before you jump to the conclusion that YOU should be following the no-eating-after 7pm rule, let us explain why it might actually be good for you to eat at night and actually feel better.

First we should say that we do not encourage nighttime “binging.” Unfortunately, we see many people do this, particularly busy people who try to get through the day with coffee and meal replacement bars. Your body wants REAL FOOD! By the end of the day you probably just want to tear into anything and everything in the fridge, or eat whatever fast food is on the ride home. Everyone, no matter your specific Diet Type, needs to take time for eating meals through the day. But let’s look closer at which of the five Hauser Diet Types should eat a little something after dinner for better energy when you wake up the next day…

Lions & Otters: YES!
Hauser Lions and Otters are fast oxidizers of food, and typically have low fasting blood sugar levels. This means when you do not eat for a few hours, your blood sugar can get too low. The longer your blood sugar remains low, the lower your energy, which may result in a difficult time functioning. You wake up in the morning with low blood sugar after you have been fasting since your last meal while you were asleep. For your best energy, Lions and Otters need a little snack after dinner that is low in carbohydrates and higher in protein, such as a piece of lunchmeat rolled up with mustard, or plain Greek yogurt. Avoid foods such as sweets, fruit sprinkled with sugar, or a bowl of cereal, as these are carbohydrate heavy which will only perpetuate the sugar swings.

Bears: MAYBE
For Bears, your Glucose Tolerance Test part of your Diet Typing greatly determines whether you should or should not eat at night. If you have a low fasting blood sugar, it is a good idea to have a small snack before bed. We are not talking about a turkey club sandwich and fries. Bears need to watch portion sizes above everything else. Your main meals are eaten during the day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But a balanced nighttime snack might include something like crackers with hummus or celery with peanut butter. These are foods that provide something with a little fat and protein to help prevent an extended period of low blood sugar levels.

Monkeys & Giraffes: NO
If you have been following the rule and not eating at night, then you have been right on target – if you are a Hauser Monkey or Giraffe Diet Type. You will likely find yourself being more successful on your diet if you stick to eating during the day and cut yourself off after dinner. Physiologically, your blood sugar is stable and you can go longer between meals without a problem. Also, many of you tend to be attracted to your “bad” foods at night, particularly fats! Most Monkeys and Giraffes who have struggled with weight have found themselves indulging in chips, sour cream dips, leftover meatloaf helpings from dinner, etc… at night. This is when will power, herbal tea, and at last resort some vegetable snacks (like cucumber slices), are necessary to squelch your snack attacks.

So, how do YOU know if you should eat at night?
You don’t …until you actually get Diet Typing! Some people know when they come to see us that they suspect they have low blood sugar, or that eating at night is a bad idea for them. But until we actually take a real look at your individual physiology, it’s just guessing. If you want to stop guessing, and know for sure, give us a call or make an appointment online! We’d love to determine your Diet Type!