Can You Lose Weight if You Stop Eating After 6 p.m.?

How the Diet Works

Some people might also refer to intermittent fasting as the eight-hour diet. Basically, you eat your usual food, but you restrict your eating to an eight-hour window — usually between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Not Eating After 6 Benefits

Cycling your calories over a 24-hour time period can help ‌prevent the slowdown in your metabolism‌ that often occurs with calorie restriction. Additionally, the after 6 diet works for many people because they find it easier to stick to than a low-calorie diet.

Downsides of Intermittent Fasting

Although some people report very positive after 6 diet results, this way of eating may not be for everyone. If you tend to work late or have evening family commitments and late dinners, not eating after 6 p.m. would be a challenge. People who prefer to graze or eat every few hours throughout the day may also find it hard to stick to this diet.

The Takeaway

• Not eating after 6 p.m., as part of intermittent fasting, may be an effective strategy for weight loss and may help maintain metabolic rates better than some daily calorie-restricted diets.
• For many, this eating pattern is easier to stick to compared with traditional low-calorie diets, though it's important to consider whether it fits your personal and family schedule.
• If you have health conditions that require regular meal times, like diabetes or hypoglycemia, consult with a healthcare professional before trying any form of restrictive eating.
• Though promising, much of the research on intermittent fasting and time-restricted eating comes from animal studies or have varied results, so more high-quality human research is needed to confirm any potential health benefits.