Yes, you can eat at 12 at night. However, whether it's advisable depends on several factors.
Timing and Digestion
While there's no conclusive evidence that eating at night is inherently harmful, eating too close to bedtime (less than two to three hours) can disrupt sleep. This is because your body needs time to digest food. [Insider's takeaway: No conclusive evidence suggests eating at night is automatically harmful to your health — but eating certain foods before bed may disrupt your sleep. In general, experts recommend eating your last meal or snack at least two to three hours before bed to give your body time to digest.03-Nov-2022]
Food Choices
The type of food consumed also matters. Heavy, greasy, or sugary foods before sleep are more likely to cause digestive discomfort and affect sleep quality than lighter, easily digestible options.
- Examples of better choices: A small bowl of oatmeal, a light salad, or a piece of fruit.
- Examples of less ideal choices: Large portions of fried foods, rich desserts, or spicy dishes.
Individual Needs and Schedules
People working night shifts, for example, naturally eat at times that differ from a typical day-night cycle. [What do you eat on a 12 hour night shift? : r/nursing] Their meal timing is dictated by their work schedule, not necessarily by health concerns.
Several cultural and religious practices also involve eating at different times, including nighttime. [Is it good to eat at 12 am? - Quora]
Conclusion
Eating at 12 midnight isn't inherently bad, but it's best to consider the timing in relation to bedtime and the types of food consumed to optimize sleep quality and digestion.
