News: Is late night snacking to blame for obesity?

If you like to snack well after the sun goes down, it could cause weight gain – but it’s not your fault, according to a new study.

The study, published in the journal Obesity, shows that the body’s internal clock craves food in the evenings, thanks to our ancestors (who needed to store extra energy to survive).

“Our study suggests that because of the internal circadian regulation of appetite, we have a natural tendency to skip breakfast in favor of larger meals in the evening,” senior author Steven Shea said in a press release.

The worst part? "This pattern of food intake across the day is exactly what Sumo wrestlers do to gain weight."

So what do we do if we love snacking in the evening, but have no desire to look like a Sumo wrestler?

Shea suggests eating larger, higher-calorie meals earlier in the day, going to bed earlier, getting enough sleep and, if you must snack in the evening, choosing lower-calorie options.

-Katharine Watts, associate web editor

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‘ 100-calorie snacks
‘ 8 healthy snacks under 150 calories
‘ 100 calorie ways to satisfy your sweet tooth