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The Dangers of Eating Late at Night

nytimes.com

41–50 of 91 posts

Re: The Dangers of Eating Late at Night

#41

Well there is a ritual in Jainism which says not to eat after sunset (remember: this was written/said generations before all science and research came into existence). Being Jain, I am just amazed by how precise our religion/literature is. Like many other ritual, this one is also backed by science now. FYI: It's called "Chauvihar" ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fasting_in_Jainism )

Does Jain work in e.g. Norway? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midnight_sun

haha, I think that case might not be taken into consideration as religion is based out of India.

Re: The Dangers of Eating Late at Night

#42
post #31
post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I am just amazed by how precise our religion/literature is. Or just a coincidence/accident.

Possibly coupled with an observational confirmation bias https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confirmation_bias

maybe.

Re: The Dangers of Eating Late at Night

#43
post #22

"In France, for example, a serving of ice cream is typically a single modest scoop, while in America, it’s often three gargantuan scoops." This was the first thing that struck me when I first moved here. Portions for all kinds of food from ice-cream, to coffee are huge. Why are huge portions such a common thing here?

if you're an immigrant from a poor country where food is an issue, portion size is the first sign of success.

recent studies compared obesity levels of immigrants from mexico - you see a huge spike once they're settled in the US.

the direct correlation between poverty and obesity in the US is driven by that. cheap, sugar and fat rich food with huge portions. "i didn't work my ass off to eat a fucking salad".

Re: The Dangers of Eating Late at Night

#44
post #40

The idea that serious health problems can be cured with lifestyle changes is compelling, but unfortunately often wrong. This is a big problem in medicine in my opinion, because doctors often come into a relationship with a patient with the assumption that the patient's own behaviors are the root of the medical condition. This is essentially blaming the victim, and often absolutely incorrect. My personal anecdotes rel…

I'm sorry you're in pain. Bro hug.

While I agree, I'd still consider contributing lifestyle factors after addressing structural, physiological, and so forth.

Though my diseases cannot be cured by better nutrition, its certainly helped. To my surprise and delight.

Re: The Dangers of Eating Late at Night

#45
post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It is the simplest way to increase revenues. If for example a food item is sold for $5, and you would like more revenue then increase the portion size (costing say 20c in ingredients) and charge $6. Labour and space costs are pretty much fixed so this is the resolution to getting more per customer. There are also some other cultural differences. Eating out is far more common amongst similar peer groups (comparing US…

But his question was "why in America?", why not anywhere else?

It's not only in America anymore. I've seen just as gigantic portion sizes while traveling to Europe (England, Netherlands, Romania, Italy, France) and Australia, though not so much in China (except Macau). Likely other countries are moving in the same direction as America.

At restaurants, however, there is very good incentive to provide large portions. A restaurant has fixed portions that need to feed everyone from small children to gigantic football players. Without the large portions, many larger people would feel unsatisfied and not come back/give the restaurant a bad rating. Because costs are marginal it makes perfect sense that restaurants would have large portions. I've also noticed that there is a general fear of running out of food at social gatherings such as parties. Generally two to three times the amount is ordered. I'm sure this type of thinking is pretty common though this might be more of an American attitude (I don't really know).

Re: The Dangers of Eating Late at Night

#46
post #25

I suffer acid reflux a lot of times. One trick I read some years ago proved to be magical: eat a teaspoon of dry, milled coffee. It works instantly and lasts for at least 2-3 hours. It can be tough to swallow the coffee at the beginning, but once you get used to it, it isn't that difficult.

Why is this effective for acid reflux? Curious as i have it too...

Re: The Dangers of Eating Late at Night

#47
Ori Hofmekler for years has been promoting his evidence-based Warrior Diet [1], which claims that humans have always been nocturnal eaters and that only the slaves were eating during the day and warriors were feasting at night. I reduced my meals to two a day (within 6 hours), mostly at night, and have since lost a few pounds although I've increased my caloric intake from fats. I slowly want to shift to a single meal at night with the help of healthy fats during the day (ghee and coconut oil). Ori says that some protein and carbs (berries) during the day are fine.

[1] http://www.warriordiet.com/

Re: The Dangers of Eating Late at Night

#48
post #22

"In France, for example, a serving of ice cream is typically a single modest scoop, while in America, it’s often three gargantuan scoops." This was the first thing that struck me when I first moved here. Portions for all kinds of food from ice-cream, to coffee are huge. Why are huge portions such a common thing here?

I assumed it was due to a predominantly rural, agricultural society upto WW2, eat like a farmer and all. I have no references to support this.

Re: The Dangers of Eating Late at Night

#50
post #25

I suffer acid reflux a lot of times. One trick I read some years ago proved to be magical: eat a teaspoon of dry, milled coffee. It works instantly and lasts for at least 2-3 hours. It can be tough to swallow the coffee at the beginning, but once you get used to it, it isn't that difficult.

Does this cure the reflux symptoms or are you using it as a hunger-suppressant?
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