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Bed-time Meal
- Thread starter jcregs
- Start date
Grilled chicken and lightly cooked fibrous vegies is a great meal before bed. I like the vegies in there, because it gives me a satisfied, full feeling that helps me sleep. I think it also stabilizes my gastro-intestinal system. I hate getting up in the middle of the night to take a not-all-that-great dump of the too much protein powder variety.
diamonddiceclay
New member
I eat turkey-it's more filling than a shake
Stanger5.0
New member
Cottage Cheese
riskybizz007
New member
I would agree... If you can take in a pure protein source like a chicken breast w/ no carbs do it! I think it's much better than a shake, even better than cassein. I just can't tolerate another meal before bed b/c i eat late and i usually have to force myself to drink a cassein shake before bed.
cozmokramer
New member
bump
Sorry to bring this post back up to the top, but I'm trying to add a fibrous carb to my bedtime meal.
Question is what???
I know I could have broccoli or something like that but I guess my brain is programmed to think of this meal as a sort of dessert.
I have a protein shake (no carbs) and was just hoping to add to this.
Would a banana be really bad?
What about a piece of melba toast?
They're not fibrous carbs but are they a lot worse?
Would it be better to get a protein shake that includes carbs???
Someone, anyone, help???
Question is what???
I know I could have broccoli or something like that but I guess my brain is programmed to think of this meal as a sort of dessert.
I have a protein shake (no carbs) and was just hoping to add to this.
Would a banana be really bad?
What about a piece of melba toast?
They're not fibrous carbs but are they a lot worse?
Would it be better to get a protein shake that includes carbs???
Someone, anyone, help???
Lumberg
New member
While there is nothing intrinsically wrong with eating veggies before bed... pre-bed you actually want to slow down your digestion. We all know fiber increases gut motility and decreases absorbtion of some nutrients. So for the IDEAL conditions I would load up on the fiber throughout the day but before bed you want a slow-digesting slug of slow proteins, some carbs, and some good fats.
For example some people are big on cottage cheese plus flax oil.
JC
For example some people are big on cottage cheese plus flax oil.
JC
Creatureofnight
New member
I eat steak w/ some veggies when cutting and steak and eggs when bulking.
Any slow digesting protein or protein w/ some fat , will get you through the nighttime fast. Eating carbs before bedtime will depend on metabolism and goals. Personally i never include them bedtime unless refeeding. My outlook is : carbs are used for energy (and repair) and i wont be doing any exercising while i sleep. I feel as long as you take enough throughout the day and centered around workouts, you would be fine.
Any slow digesting protein or protein w/ some fat , will get you through the nighttime fast. Eating carbs before bedtime will depend on metabolism and goals. Personally i never include them bedtime unless refeeding. My outlook is : carbs are used for energy (and repair) and i wont be doing any exercising while i sleep. I feel as long as you take enough throughout the day and centered around workouts, you would be fine.
Lumberg
New member
Creatureofnight said:
Your body uses carbs to fues the basic processes such as breathing. Even to digest food and of course build muscle it takes energy. The best way to get this energy is from carbs. Granted you don't use as much energy when you sleep as when you work out, but some carbs before bed are better than none. Maybe half a cup of oatmeal or the carbs that are in the cottage cheese are a good thing.
I guess it also depends on what kind of stage you are in, I'm in a staying slim but still maximizing muscle stage (not strictly cutting) so I will partake lightly of carbs pre-bed.
JC
The big scare about the holy meal before going to bed is not to go over your CALORIE intake for the day!
Of course, I agree with most everyone that the last meal should be a high protein meal with minimal carbs. Unless you train late at night, then you should take in carbs for recovery. I was taking 45g of carbs at night when I was preparing for a show. I did cardio in the morning and weight training at 7:30PM. So my last meal was at 9:30PM.
Of course, I agree with most everyone that the last meal should be a high protein meal with minimal carbs. Unless you train late at night, then you should take in carbs for recovery. I was taking 45g of carbs at night when I was preparing for a show. I did cardio in the morning and weight training at 7:30PM. So my last meal was at 9:30PM.
Creatureofnight
New member
"Your body uses carbs to fues the basic processes such as breathing."
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Interesting, i never heard of this. What resource have you found this from?
Also, this would mean people on keto diets would have trouble breathing? I never expieranced anything of the sort when doing keto type diets.
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Interesting, i never heard of this. What resource have you found this from?
Also, this would mean people on keto diets would have trouble breathing? I never expieranced anything of the sort when doing keto type diets.
Lumberg
New member
Ok, sorry. I misphrased it. Your body needs energy all night long to do stuff like digest, breathe, build muscle, etc.
The PREFERRED source of that energy (and this is not my opinion, this is your body talking) is carbs. It's the most natural way for your body to get energy. Sure it can use fat, and it can cleave proteins to create glucose, but your body prefers carbs.
Now if there were some way to burn fat while you sleep I'd be all for it, I'd say eat a pure protein meal and let the fat be used for fuel, but that's not going to happen. So failing that it's best to eat some very low GI carbs to keep your body running well for the first half of the night at least. It's also true that adding carbs to a meal increases nitrogen balance.
I know people on here are all into keto diets and I've never said this before but they are SO bad for you. I was chatting mith my doctor and he said "Oh yeah the starvation diet." Because you are basically starving your body. Even the top BBs don't do it for the most part. Look up some articles by Chris Aceto, his is the premier diet guru of the elite bodybuilders and he doesn't advocate complete removal of carbs from your diet. It just does more harm than good.
JC
The PREFERRED source of that energy (and this is not my opinion, this is your body talking) is carbs. It's the most natural way for your body to get energy. Sure it can use fat, and it can cleave proteins to create glucose, but your body prefers carbs.
Now if there were some way to burn fat while you sleep I'd be all for it, I'd say eat a pure protein meal and let the fat be used for fuel, but that's not going to happen. So failing that it's best to eat some very low GI carbs to keep your body running well for the first half of the night at least. It's also true that adding carbs to a meal increases nitrogen balance.
I know people on here are all into keto diets and I've never said this before but they are SO bad for you. I was chatting mith my doctor and he said "Oh yeah the starvation diet." Because you are basically starving your body. Even the top BBs don't do it for the most part. Look up some articles by Chris Aceto, his is the premier diet guru of the elite bodybuilders and he doesn't advocate complete removal of carbs from your diet. It just does more harm than good.
JC
Creatureofnight
New member
Yes i agree w/ some points you made. The prefered source of energy is defintaly glycogen. But like i said, im not exercising while i sleep and even when i bulk, i dont like adding much fat. I always keep carbs out of bedtime meal, thats just me. Im not saying its the only way to go.
On topic of keto diets, i think they have there place in bodybuilding but arent practical for long periods (over 12 weeks) and also, i wouldny put too much faith in what dr.'s say. I have heard many docs say creatine is a deadly supplement and you are taking risks w/ your health when using it. The bottom line is dr.'s just dont know much about supplementation for athletic purposes or needs of bodybyuilders in terms of diet.
On topic of keto diets, i think they have there place in bodybuilding but arent practical for long periods (over 12 weeks) and also, i wouldny put too much faith in what dr.'s say. I have heard many docs say creatine is a deadly supplement and you are taking risks w/ your health when using it. The bottom line is dr.'s just dont know much about supplementation for athletic purposes or needs of bodybyuilders in terms of diet.
Lumberg
New member
Creatureofnight said:
Good point Creature. We have heard many horror stories about ignorant doctors on this board and you truly have to be responsible for your own health care and only use doctors as a resource, not the be-all and end-all. The doctor I speak to happens to be my cousin who doesn't know much about exercise but is whip smart about lots of things. He never pretends to know what he doesn't know and loves to explore and find out about new things when I ask him questions. And it's not like it's a quick conversation in a doctor's office, we will talk liesurely at his house or on the phone with frequent references to his considerable book collection. I am lucky to have a cousin like him.
JC
Creatureofnight
New member
I am also very lucky in that my family physician is quite knowledgeable on diet and supplementation and is very open minded ( not to prescribing AAS,lol).
I dont blame dr.'s one bit for not know much on the topic of best ways to burn fat or top protein supplements. Their lives are practically living hell for the years of med school and throughout college. Most are simply married to the profession because its so time consuming. My only beef is w/ the ones who dont know shit and go around telling half truths or spreading rumors they read in the local paper. Like you said w/ your cousin, if he truly isnt sure aobut something, he admits it. Not bullshit like he does know.
I dont blame dr.'s one bit for not know much on the topic of best ways to burn fat or top protein supplements. Their lives are practically living hell for the years of med school and throughout college. Most are simply married to the profession because its so time consuming. My only beef is w/ the ones who dont know shit and go around telling half truths or spreading rumors they read in the local paper. Like you said w/ your cousin, if he truly isnt sure aobut something, he admits it. Not bullshit like he does know.
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