What are the risks of not eating after 6 PM?

Avoiding food after six in the evening is a popular advice that is often perceived as a universal rule for weight loss and health improvement. However, the impact of such restriction depends on lifestyle, individual body needs, and overall diet.

The main idea behind avoiding late dinner is that metabolism slows down in the evening, and excess calories are more likely to be stored as fat. Additionally, a heavy meal before bedtime can cause stomach heaviness, heartburn, and worsen sleep quality.

On the other hand, a complete ban on food after six is not always justified. If a person wakes up and goes to bed early, the body manages to get all the necessary nutrients during the day. But for those who live on a later schedule, dinner at 7-8 in the evening can be quite normal and even necessary to maintain energy.

Completely avoiding food in the evening sometimes leads to overeating the next day, decreased concentration, and fatigue. This is especially noticeable in people who engage in physical labor or exercise in the evening - their bodies require replenishing energy reserves.

The optimal solution is considered to be not a strict ban on food after six, but choosing light and healthy dishes in the evening: vegetable salads, lean meat or fish, fermented milk products. This approach will help maintain weight, improve digestion, and avoid feeling hungry before sleep.