However, a new study published in Obesity contradicts the "no eating carbs at night" idea when it comes to losing weight and flattening your stomach.  The study followed 78 police obese police officers over a 6 month period.  They were randomly assigned to one of two different diets.

The nutrient breakdown was the same for each diet (approximately 45 to 50% carbohydrates, 20 percent protein and 30 to 35% fat) as well as the same number of calories daily (1,300 to 1,500 calories).

There was one distinct difference between the two groups.  One would eat their carbs steadily throughout the day while the other group would be eating carbs at night.  They wouldn't just eat carbs at night, they would eat the majority of their carbohydrates during dinner.

As Gregg Gillies, author of Secret Abs Manifesto and founder of the Body Transformation Blackbook blog discusses in that report in more detail: 'One reason for these results could be the changes in leptin secretion.  Basically leptin is a protein secreted by your fat cells that helps to regulate appetite.  Turning on leptin (which could happen with the carbs at night group) can decrease appetite.'

The "eating carbs at night" group lost more weight (11.6 vs. 9.06 kg) and  also had lower hunger scores as well as greater improvements in fasting glucose, average daily insulin concentrations, and insulin-resistance.

There were many other benefits from the eating carbs at night group such as lower levels of various inflammation markers, improved lipid profile, etc.

To learn more about the study and how it can help you get a flat stomach, read  Eating Carbs at Night to Lose Your Belly Fat.