Mihaela Bilic discusses the emotional drivers of nighttime eating

Nutritionist Mihaela Bilic suggests that nighttime eating is often driven by emotional needs rather than physical hunger. While evening meals are frequently criticized for causing weight gain or digestive issues, Bilic argues that eating can serve as a way to find calm, soothe daily frustrations, or address feelings of loneliness and emptiness.

She distinguishes between a standard dinner eaten out of hunger and late-night eating triggered by boredom, sadness, or stress. Bilic notes that if a person has not eaten sufficiently throughout the day, a larger evening meal may be necessary. However, she warns that the primary concern is not the timing of the meal itself, but rather the potential for compulsive eating driven by emotional instability.