When studying and extracurricular activities start to pile up, college students can struggle to find the time they need to take care of themselves. Between classes and a fast-paced schedule, it can be difficult to stop and properly fuel the body.
After a long day in class, a night out or burning the midnight oil on school work, students may find themselves at Rosie’s Diner and Market, grabbing food downtown or eating an entire bag of chips in front of their computers.
A recent presented studies suggesting that eating dinner within three hours of bedtime may cause heartburn, acid reflux symptoms, obesity and other health risks. But is it really bad to eat late at night?
Natalie Caine-Bish, Ph.D., associate professor in the School of Health Sciences, told Kent State Today that much of that data is correlational to other eating behaviors. Meaning: the timing of your meals is only part of the equation.
Monica Cobbin, a junior finance major, says she will eat her first meal around 11 p.m. and snack for a few hours before going to bed.
“I get home from class around 4 p.m., go to work at 5 p.m. and don’t get home until around 11 p.m.,” Cobbin said. “When I finally get the chance to eat after work, it is usually a quick meal.”
Cobbin feels like her eating schedule and quick meals are taking a toll on her digestive system and sleep quality.
“Since I don’t start class until noon and am up late every night, I have a hard time getting up. I feel exhausted on the days I’m less busy,” Cobbin said. “It makes it hard to get things done when I am free.”
Caine-Bish said these health concerns can be caused by the nutritional quality of the food and the amount being consumed.
“It’s more about what you’re eating and how much you’re eating than what time you’re eating it,” Caine-Bish said. “If you’re eating a healthy snack or meal later at night and that’s your dinner time, there may not be any concern.”
Nathanael Frison, a senior musical theatre major, eats a larger meal at night after having healthy snacks or meals throughout the day.
“I am not too hungry during the day, but I try to be mindful of what I am eating,” Frison said. “Since I eat a bigger meal later at night, I will eat lighter things during the day like oatmeal or fruit.”
Mindlessly snacking at any time is an issue, according to Caine-Bish, who said people might overeat certain food groups. When snacking, try to pair two food groups together.
“Adding protein to a snack that has carbs is a good suggestion,” Caine-Bish said. “You could have cheese with some fruit or vegetables and if you’re drinking beverages, make sure they are lower in calories.”
Additionally, many college students enjoy having caffeine and alcohol later at night. Caine-Bish said cutting back on both can be helpful for students’ health.
“Alcohol not only has a lot of calories but also disinhibits us, which means we’re probably going to eat less healthy,” Caine-Bish said. “Coffees and lattes tend to be high in fat and calories.”
Overall, eating late at night is not a bad thing and can be normal or beneficial for some people. It is just important to choose healthier food options consistently and be aware of your own hunger.
“It’s about making sure you’re eating good food throughout the day,” Caine-Bish said. “Be mindful of what you’re eating, when you’re eating it and only eating when you’re hungry.”