How can i beat those late night cravings?

Zombie_Cakes

i do pretty darn well during the day but after 10pm i get these bad cravings.. what can i do to minimize them or get rid of them without using and weight loss drugs.. i'm attempting to go at this 100 percent natural.

_thirtytwo

I know exactly how you feel! I've started having hot tea in the late evening and that seems to really work for me, as well as lots and lots of water. If I get really bad cravings I go for something with protein but as little calories as I can manage - something like an apple with a TBSP of peanut butter or a slice of cheddar cheese to go along with the tea.

Hope this is some help!

_thirtytwo

One more thing, are you hitting your fiber goals for the day? Once I really started focusing on high fiber/high protein throughout the day my cravings have gone down dramatically.

Good luck!

haymancm

I go to bed early to avoid the cravings.

sabinecbauer

Try to cut down on 'white carbs' (sugar and starches like pasta and bread) as much as you can. I find that those will absolutely spike my cravings into orbit--basically we're talking vicious circle here: for me there's no such thing as 'a bite of cake' or 'a sip of soda' :grumble:
The no-white-carbs thing may take a couple of days to gain traction, but it definitely helps cut the cravings right down to zero.

obwize

Yes to everything that has been said. Especially going to bed early (if you can) to avoid the cravings. Somehow I find that my ability to resist plummets in the middle of the night. Best thing, being asleep is avoidance at it's best.

cwolfman13

save calories for yourself for a late night snack...problem solved.

goombasmom

For dinner, I try to make sure I have either steamed broccoli or zucchini with a dash of olive oil, or a spinach salad. The veggies help trick my stomach into thinking it's full, and to not give into cravings.

If not, I'll have a tablespoon of peanut butter with a drizzle of chocolate syrup. Most of the time, that does the trick.

loislenski

I was having cravings last night so I just put my retainer in.... can't eat then.

VeroniqueBoilard

Going to bed early works and you feel more energize the next day!

I often have cravings but I'm definitely not hungry... I just feel like eating something for the "enjoyable" part of eating. Usually when I'm watching TV.

So I have two tricks if I want to watch TV: I do it sitting on my stationary bike, spending extra calories or I do elaborate designs on my nails. I still suck, I just started but it keeps me busy, it's relaxing and helps to prevent me bitting my nails after all the hard work.

And if you still can't help it just change your habits: exercise an extra 10-20 minutes: you can eat a 100 calories popcorn bag or a mini haagen-dazs bar. You have to make long term changes and if you think snacking at night will always be part of your routine, just make room for it!

krhn

save calories for yourself for a late night snack...problem solved.

THIS!

But also try drinking some water first then maybe 20 minutes after some milk as it'll fill your stomach so it doesn't feel Hungary before bed

mahanaibu

many good suggestions here. I'd add a bubble bath. Make some tea, let in a hot bath, drink your tea during the bath, light a candle if you want, then go to bed. Chances are that what your body really is craving is relaxation, hydration and sleep, but we're so used to misinterpreting those three as hunger.

if you really feel that isn't true for you, pop an exercise DVD into the player for a half hour, and drink a bottle of water while you're working out. The workout will relax you and take you out of that miust-have-food-now drive, it will make you thirsty so you'll get some hydration, and usually it will tamp down both your appetite and your feeling of being out of control. and if after all that you're still hungry, at least you burned off some calories to have a little snack.

SoDamnHungry

save calories for yourself for a late night snack...problem solved.

This is what I do.

VpinkLotus

That is for sure my biggest issue too... :frown:

ken_hogan

This may sound odd, but sometimes brushing my teeth, even if I already had a couple hours before, eliminates or reduces the craving...have no idea why it works for me though!!

PGG19

I agree with the tea, actually anytime during the day I think I'm craving too much, I grab a cup of green tea.

sabinecbauer

Working out is a great suggestion!! The endorphins released during a workout will definitely slam the door on the cravings :bigsmile:

scottcjackson

Something to sip on. Ice water, green tea, or sometimes a nice glass of scotch

HappyElizabeth

I brush, floss and go to bed early. That's kind of a dorky solution, but it works for me.

hmg90

You should check out what it is you "need". If you feel a very specific craving, there is usually a healthier option. Try to find a compromise - like vegetables with a dip or an egg white omelet with a bit of cheese.
The easiest answer is obviously to not munch when you're not hungry, but we all know that's not very constructive. I'm sure 99% of people trying to lose weight know how, but can't beat those cravings, or rather - don't want to. When you're dying for nachos, green tea is really not an alternative...
I'm an evening snacker so I make room for it. I will eat very healthy for breakfast and dinner. Then I can make an omelet or a second small dinner later, and some low fat snacks from Boots with a gin tonic in the evening.

Fozzi43

I go to bed and have sex.

annyfanny53

I used to fight it and I would fail...beat myself up and well you know the cycle. Now I plan four 25-30 cal snacks for just that purpose!

lynn1982

I struggle with this too! Tea or soup broth or some sort of low cal snack helps. I also find it easier to avoid it if I eat dinner around 7:30...I know that's a bit late for some, but if I eat at 6 then I'm usually hungry again right around the time that I'm trying to go to bed...usually 10-ish.

Kangax5

I have the same problem, what I started doing was getting a glass of water them going to bed!
Not an attractive solution but it is working for me.

bonniecarbs

I've been trying to figure that out for 40 years, and I was not even 100 pounds when it started. Its a curse for me now, and I've gotten so up in years that I guess I'll never be able to beat it. Hope you have success.

FixIngMe13

This may sound odd, but sometimes brushing my teeth, even if I already had a couple hours before, eliminates or reduces the craving...have no idea why it works for me though!!

^^^ THIS!!!!

Odd as it seems, it also works for me! But I will also admit that I have cut out my heaviest starches/carbs in the evening. I no longer eat heavy at night. I eat high protein/high fiber for dinner now. I noticed a huge difference in my cravings at night. It worked for me, maybe it will for you also? No white bread, baked potato, rice, pasta for dinner... for some reason you get wildly hungry before bed. Hope you find something that works for you. :flowerforyou:

trured72

Thanks for re-reminding me to watch my carbs. I only do brown rice and wheat bread, but I love potatoes, french fries, etc.

Nacho12

I have been buying fudgesickle popsicles that are 40 calories each and have two of them for a total of 80 calories in the evening. It works for me.

Erisad

I go to bed. Sleep cures almost everything.

shruti90

I have a cup of green tea with organic coconut oil ( 2 tbs). The taste of coconut takes toll on my taste buds ! DON'T reach out for carbs at any cost or else you will start a vicious cycle . Go for healthy FATs (MCT'S) or a protein snack !

TheFitHooker

I do not allow myself to eat after 8 pm, usually by 11 pm is when my late night binge wants to start, so for me I go to bed so my mind isn't focused on that. I don't get those late night cravings all the time anymore, but they use to be bad.

I find that it's usually caused by being bored.