Most of us have heard that it is best to avoid carbs at night so that we don’t store them as fat. However, as popular as the “no carbs at night” approach may be, it’s not entirely accurate.

According to The Institute of Nutrition and Fitness Sciences (INFS), consuming carbohydrates at night can help improve sleep by controlling the hormone cortisol, which the body produces in response to stress. If that hormone is not regulated at night, individuals may experience difficulty falling asleep, which can be potentially harmful, especially for those hoping to lose weight through exercise.

A good night’s sleep provides the body ample time to repair itself and recover. Without that recovery time, individuals may be more susceptible to injuries that compromise their efforts to improve their health. The INFS also notes that carbohydrates serve as energy sources that help the body to build muscle and burn fat, so avoiding carbs entirely also could make it hard for individuals to achieve their health and fitness goals.

Although carbs play a crucial role in the body, it’s not entirely inaccurate to think that avoiding them at night is beneficial. Rather than avoiding them at night, the INFS recommends individuals prevent excessive consumption of carbs, as excessive consumption of any food can compromise efforts to eat healthier. Still, loading up on carbs at night can make the scale an uninviting place in the morning. That’s because carbs retain water, which the INFS indicates can lead to an increase in body weight.

Carbs perform a host of essential functions in the body and play a vital role in helping people achieve their fitness goals. Although carbs should not be avoided at night, individuals should limit their intake of carbs at the dinner table.