Symptom 4: Consuming High-Calorie or High-Sugar Foods at Night
Sugary treats are often a go-to for many with NES. They provide a quick energy boost and satiate cravings. But the implications of these sugar-loaded nighttime binges are manifold. A sudden surge in blood sugar levels, especially at night, can lead to a cascade of hormonal releases. Insulin spikes can disrupt the body’s internal clock, making the process of winding down for sleep challenging.
When someone frequently indulges in high-calorie or high-sugar foods during their nighttime eating episodes, they are not just risking weight gain. They’re potentially sidelining essential nutrients by filling up on empty calories. Over time, this skewed nutritional intake can lead to deficiencies, impacting overall health and vitality.
The body’s metabolism naturally slows down in the evening. By consuming high-calorie foods at night, individuals with NES are providing their bodies with energy when it’s least active. This means most of these calories aren’t utilized efficiently and get stored as fat. This predisposition to store rather than burn makes weight management an uphill battle for many with NES. (4)
