A nutritionist has refuted the common belief that late-night eating directly causes a pot belly. According to Nutritionist Fred Amese, the problem lies not in the timing of the meal but in the duration between the last meal and bedtime.
Speaking on the health segment of the 3FM Sunrise Morning Show, he explained that the person who eats their last meal at 6 pm and goes to sleep at 6:15 pm has not allowed enough time for digestion, whereas someone who eats at 11 pm and sleeps at 1 am has given their body more time to process the food.
Thus, the issue with late-night eating is not the specific time but the duration between eating and sleeping. Amese advised listeners not to deprive themselves of food simply because it is late at night. Instead, he recommended waiting an adequate amount of time after eating, engaging in physical activity like brisk walking, and avoiding falling asleep immediately after meals, especially in front of the television.
He emphasized that even those who eat early in the evening can develop a pot belly if they do not allow for proper digestion and activity afterwards.
Source: 3News
