Eating Late?

When was the last time you ate something?

Have you ever wondered if when you eat might be just as important as what you eat?

If you’re dealing with symptoms like bloating, heartburn, constipation, IBS, or just general sluggishness, it might be connected not only to food choices, but to timing.

For many years, it was thought that our digestive systems were like boilers - able to process food at any time. But we now know that every cell in your body has its own internal clock, and your digestive system is no different!

Our gut runs on a circadian rhythm, just like our sleep cycle. And when we eat out of sync with that rhythm, it can affect how our body works.

Here are 3 reasons why eating late in the evening might be worth gently rethinking:

 1. It can disrupt your natural sleep cycle

Just thinking about food, let alone eating it, can warm up the body and get digestion going. That’s great during the day… but in the evening, your body is trying to wind down. Eating late can make falling (and staying) asleep more difficult.

2. It reduces your stomach’s time to repair

Your stomach lining naturally gets worn during digestion, and it needs breaks between meals to heal.

Every day, up to 14% of stomach cells regenerate! If you’re eating right up until bedtime, you may be short-changing this vital renewal process.

3. It can slow your digestion

Your digestive system needs time (and the right posture!) to move food along properly. Lying down too soon after eating can lead to heartburn, indigestion, or IBS symptoms, especially if it becomes a pattern.

Of course, sometimes late-night eating just happens, and that’s okay. Grace, not guilt!

But if you’re regularly feeling uncomfortable in the evenings, a small shift in timing might make a big difference.

Could you aim to finish eating a little earlier, even just 30 minutes at first? Could you swap that bedtime snack for herbal tea or a warm bath?