Tips on stopping late night eating?

RiseandGrind77

Hello party peeps,

Anyone have any tips to avoid the late night cravings? I'm really good at staying track with my meals but then just after dinner those cravings kick in. Sometimes it can be just a snack, other times a late night binge. Does anyone have any tips that might help?

Blueseraphchaos

I eat at night..that would be my preferred time to eat. So i try to make sure i have enough calories left to do do. I also do things to distract myself if I'm not hungry, like take a walk...or go to bed, unless it's only 8 pm, lol.

Or i find some low calorie hard candy like mints, they take awhile to eat and help any cravings for sugar that i might get.

TheLittleFangs

I would do as pp says and save some cals for an evening snack. Once I have hit my limit I go brush my teeth. I usually don't want to eat after that.

Liftng4Lis

pre log your day in the morning to include calories for this time.

cathylopez1975

It's really easy to give in to cravings at any time. They can turn into a habit. My worst time for cravings is late evening, but if my blood glucose levels aren't low I fight that urge to eat. If I give in once, it's harder to fight the cravings the next time. Just say 'no'

EMTFreakGirl

I pre-log and figure it out so that I can have treats at night. I save enough calories for a good Blue Cheese dressing and have some celery sticks to dip into it. Also, I allow for a portion of a good organic dark chocolate every day. Usually my final, late-night "snack." I get that chocolate and savor it...and my brain somehow gets that that is it for the day...nothing more 'til breakfast.

Sued0nim

Sex

RiseandGrind77

rabbitjb wrote: »

Sex

This might be a hard one for me to incorporate right now but I like the suggestion.

Actually really great tips for curbing those late night cravings from everyone, please keep them coming!

Zerodette

Option 1: save calories for some nighttime eating.

Option 2: look at it as a chance to improve your self-discipline. Acknowledge your craving, then say no to it.

arditarose

I always leave enough calories for dessert...sometimes its 400-500, sometimes 100-200. Then I can just eat and not have to worry about "cravings".

50sFit

Sometimes I need to schedule my final meal about 9pm just to make it asleep by 1030p

JayRuby84

They say drinking a glass of water helps at nighttime. When I get snack attacks at night I like to make an EAS Chocolate protein shake. It's only a hundred fifty calories and fills up my belly.

LiveLoveRunFar

Apples, green tea, are supposed to cut hunger. If you are not full eat something like tuna to fill up. If its sugar / salt cravings you get at night...sometimes it's best just to go to sleep.

RiseandGrind77

Great help and much thanks! I actually tried a combination of some a few tips which worked really well last night. Now I just have to be consistent.

elphie754

I had trouble with this as well. This may sound dumb, but what helped me was I made a sign that says "kitchen closed" and place it on the refrigerator when I hit my cal goal for the day. It would remind me that I shouldn't indulge.

RiseandGrind77

elphie754 wrote: »

I had trouble with this as well. This may sound dumb, but what helped me was I made a sign that says "kitchen closed" and place it on the refrigerator when I hit my cal goal for the day. It would remind me that I shouldn't indulge.

I don't think that sounds dumb at all. Actually I think I'll try that. My living room is connected to my kitchen and I always thought it was a bit of a problem. Good idea!

arditarose

elphie754 wrote: »

I had trouble with this as well. This may sound dumb, but what helped me was I made a sign that says "kitchen closed" and place it on the refrigerator when I hit my cal goal for the day. It would remind me that I shouldn't indulge.

I would tear down my own sign. Good on you for self control though

Fruitylicious03

Brush your teeth after your meal.
Go to bed earlier.
Occupy your mind with something stimulating (Tv doesn't count) after dinner.

Basically just try to replace the bad habit with a better one.

segacs

This may or may not be helpful, but...

Late night snack cravings were the bane of my existence each and every time I tried to lose weight. I could never seem to resist them, and I'd go on crazy binges.

This time around it just *feels* different. I don't know why. It's like an aha moment. Something just clicked, and for some reason, I have no desire whatsoever to break my plan and snack.

Part of it has been planning out my meals to allow for an evening snack within my calorie goals. I've realized that trying to do otherwise is unrealistic for me.

But part of it was just that my mentality shifted. I *want* to stick with it. For me.

No tips, tricks, advice or encouragement from other people ever made a difference for me one way or the other. I realize that beforehand, I was just making excuses, but it was that I simply didn't want it enough. This time, it's still early days but it feels completely different, just a calm confidence that I will stick with it.

Ultimately it comes down to the fact that nobody can do this for you. You have to want it for you.

elphie754

arditarose wrote: »

elphie754 wrote: »

I had trouble with this as well. This may sound dumb, but what helped me was I made a sign that says "kitchen closed" and place it on the refrigerator when I hit my cal goal for the day. It would remind me that I shouldn't indulge.

I would tear down my own sign. Good on you for self control though

Lol I do sometimes ignore it and indulge but when I get cravings, usually reminding myself of the long term goal helps kill it. There was point in time I seriously considered having a timed lock on the refrigerator so I couldnt open it except for certain times lol.

arditarose

Well, there's nothing in my fridge but a carton of eggs, some tomatos, mozzarella cheese, hot sauce, and mushrooms. Nothing too tempting.

SonicDeathMonkey80

Brush your teeth and go to bed

Hornsby

I eat like 650 calories during the day just so I have 3K at night and don't have to worry about it. That's my tip.

89Madeline

Brushing teeth does help! And why not stock some healthy late night snacks? Apple with peanut butter, some unsalted almonds, a hard boiled egg on toast... There are many options. I always have low fat/low sugar multigrain bars on hand whenever I crave something at night, or very dark chocolate. I also love some red fruits, like raspberries. Or greek yoghurt with some unsalted walnuts and honey So many great, low cal, options to satisfy cravings.

It's fine to eat late in the evening, just don't stock yourself up with sugars and make sure you plan that snack ahead in your log like others suggest.

fobs13

I think postponing my late evening treat to as late as possible. Used to have one at 8pm. now have it at 9:30 as go to bed around 11. Means I only have one post dinner snack as opposed to several.Also i drink a bottle of water at 8 now instead of the snack at that time.

KWSteph

I recently came to realize that my cravings at night are not always based on hunger, eating at night when we are more apt to be bored develops into a bad habit which takes time to break - so don't knock yourself if you don't change overnight. Make a plan to break the habit, replace it with a different habit and if you are hungry make a list of healthier choice foods that give you volume, texture and satisfy a sweet or salty craving. Make a rule to never eat standing up and if possible prep your late snacks earlier in the day....when your not hungry, bored and a food zombie! I'm great all day, b/c my days are structured b/c of work, however 630ish on - I become a different person. Takes time to change habits that developed over years or decades. Good luck and keep us updated of your progress and whats working for you!

SwankyTomato

I save some calories for a night time snack. Once I am done with that, I drink ice water.

ketorach

I drink a glass of champagne or good scotch. Yes, really.

Amanda4change

I always have a high protein snack in the evenings (Greek yogurt, protein bar etc, usually between 100-200 calories). I have learned over the years that not only do I have a major oral fixation, but I also can't just sit and watch tv (unless it's hockey), I have to have something that keeps my fingers busy or I get the urge to mindlessly snack. So if I sit with the family and watch tv, I have a second thing going as well (such as reading a book, doing embroidery or a puzzle, brush the dog, etc). The other thing I've stopped doing much of is just sitting in front of the tv, instead I'll sort my sons toys or do other little chores (like dusting, cleaning the mirrors or glass in my house, wipe dorm bathroom counters etc.

segacs

aribeiro659 wrote: »

I also can't just sit and watch tv (unless it's hockey).

Same here. I usually watch TV while at my computer, so I'm keeping my hands busy by typing.

I save some calories for my evening snack and work it into my plan each night. I like having a little bit of chocolate in the evenings.

FitWarrior7

Drink water, or eat something like celery. Quit smoking mary j?