In the Netherlands (and maybe elsewhere?) some people believe in the myth that eating after eight o’clock makes you fat. They probably assume that because after eight most people don’t do much. And you won’t burn a lot of calories while watching television or surfing the internet, right? They do have a point there, but apart from that, those believers don’t really think further.
Or does the body really have an built-in clock?
That when the clock strikes eight, the body thinks: “Okay, it has been enough for today! From now on I will store every single calorie into fat.”
How would it work when you travel to another time zone? Or could the built-in clock automatically synchronize with the new time, so that it can adjust itself to the eight o’clock at the place you are?
What about working night shifts, you would be screwed if you work night shifts! You will either have to hunger yourself, or accept the fact that every bit of food you put into your mouth, will directly go to your belly or butt.
Something is a little odd though, the Mediterranean diet is said to be healthy and can cause weight loss. But.. Mediterranean people usually don’t eat before eight. In France around nine is normal, in Spain and Italy it can even easily become ten o’clock when people get around the table for their dinner. Wouldn’t the built-in clock make sure they get really fat? Or does the built-in clock adjust itself to national habits?
Ofcourse not. I bet the Frenchies here, and of course all other people who dine late, will laugh hard at this. I hope the Dutchies who always believed in this myth, really start to doubt their theory after reading this. There is no built-in clock and there is no nutritional curfew. Thank God!
I could even recommend to have a healthy snack around nine, if you eat early. Otherwise your body doesn’t get any nutrition between six at night and your breakfast the following day. You might think it isn’t necessary, since you enjoy a nice relaxation every night.
I can tell you it ís necessary! Besides feeding your body for moving yourself around, it also costs energy to breath and let the organs do the job. This goes on all day long, even when you are asleep.
So please do enjoy your snack, even when you are sitting on the couch watching television, but make sure that you do adjust it to your needs. A small snack will do when you don’t exercise. When you do exercise, think of your protein.
