Rule? What rule? The only "rule" about it is if it makes you stall, don't do it! I always have a snack before bed, and no stalls. In fact, I find it helps me to sleep all night! BTW, you're not supposed to go more than 6 waking hours without eating. EVEN if you're not hungry. Grab a snack, a piece of bacon, celery, whatever. It'll help your metabolism. If you can't handle 3 regular meals, go for 5 or 6 small ones. That's the way I had to do it during the first 2-3 weeks, as the thought of eating made me sick, too.