Speculation

• It has not been proven that eating a meal earlier in the day is better than eating one late at night or right before bed. If the bedtime meal is included in the day's eating plan to meet the body's caloric and nutritious needs, then it will have little to no effects on the diet. But if is an extra meal or snack that is rich in calories and sugary fats, it could lead to weight gain over time.
  
  

Types

• Before bed, choose foods that have nutritious value and can be easily digested. Instead of ice cream, or burgers with fries, choose whole grain pasta, seafood or fruit yogurt. For snacking purposes, make it a small one in order to avoid weight gain. Crackers with peanut butter or a few cookies with warm milk are appropriate on occasion.
  
  

Considerations

• Although eating before bedtime might not necessarily derail a diet, it can make for an uncomfortable night's sleep. Too much protein or highly seasoned foods can irritate the digestive system and make for a restless night.