In the days leading up to my bodybuilding comeback, my food had to be SO freaking meticulous for both days of my competition that I decided to bring my own.

While meal prepping my food the night before I flew out to my competition, I was SO hungry, and it was all I could do not to eat “just one bite.”

It reminded me that night time is THE worst time to meal prep!

Why?

Because you’re usually hungrier, since we don’t eat late on Code Red.

If you struggle with evening cravings, it’s even worse!

Your willpower is also at its lowest level of the day.

Getting a good night’s sleep resets willpower, but the decisions you make all day long drain it like water out of a leaky water balloon.

To be clear, none of this is an excuse to binge at night “because Cristy said I’m hungrier and I have low willpower and I can’t control myself! 😭”

Nobody shoves the food in your mouth but you, EVER.

What I’m saying is, nighttime is the worst time to meal prep because it requires even more effort not to “sample” as you prep.

So when’s the best time to meal prep?

In the morning, AFTER you’ve eaten your first meal of the day, and here’s why.

You still have a pretty full tank of willpower in the morning.

The “evening munchies” urge is still hours away.

And you’re full, so the temptation to nibble as you prep is pretty minor (or gone altogether).

If you’re currently meal prepping at night and staying in control, great.

If not, switch to earlier in the day, AND time it for right after your first meal if at all possible.

It’s a lot easier to stay on track when you aren’t handling food while you’re ravenous!