Is Eating Carbs At Night Healthy?

Everybody runs away from carbohydrates when it comes to dieting and maintaining a healthy and fit body, but carbs must not be avoided completely. If you think only cakes, cookies and processed foods are carbs, then you are wrong as there are two types carbs, i.e complex carbs which is beneficial for the body and simple carbs which are deemed unhealthy and shouldn’t be taken in large quantities. Most people on a diet end up avoiding carbohydrates altogether, even the minimum amount needed by the body, becoming weak and gain weight rather than loosing.Carbohydrates provide energy to our body required for normal functioning by breaking down its glucose and starch which then gets absorbed by the blood stream. Carbs are often blamed for weight gain but complex carbs plays a crucial role in controlling weigh and prevent digestive problems such as constipation.
 _{Carbohydrates provide energy to our body required for normal functioning}Although it has many health benefits but most of us think twice before eating carbs at night. ‘Is eating carbs at night good for health?’, is a question many ask. The general assumption is that carbs convert into fat and get stored in the body at night because the body is at total rest. But here’s where this concept is wrong - carbohydrates are converted into sugar to provide energy to the body, and when not this energy is not  utilized by the body properly is when it converts into fat.  “Ideally one should stop eating two hours before going to bed.There is no harm including carbohydrate rich food (complex) at night in small quantities along with protein rich food especially if one has worked through the day or has exercised.” says Bangalore based Nutritionist and Wellness Consultant, Dr. Shalini Manglani. So for those looking to lose weight, any kind of high calorie, rich foods must be avoided late in the evenings, not just carbohydrates. In fact, eating complex carbs at night in appropriate amount is beneficial as it stimulates the two chemicals i.e. serotonin and cortisol, which helps in reducing stress and inducing sleep.(Also read: Why Carbs Are Important for Weight Loss)_{Carbohydrates are converted into sugar to provide energy}The VerdictIncluding carbohydrate rich food at night is not healthy for your body is not a myth but its not completely wrong either. Moderation is key and timing very important. Depending on the type of carbohydrate and your body need, you can enjoy your rotis and vegetable curry at night. Including a post-dinner stroll into your routine is a great way of making sure the energy derived from carbs at night does not get stores in your body as fat.