Late night binge eating

nifer1029

I have a terrible problem with this. Most nights around 10 or 11 pm I get up to use the bathroom and have to walk right by that fridge and my stomach growls and I eat something. And I don't seem to be able to will myself to just eat vegetables, or a piece of fruit. It's always cheese, or an egg, or leftovers... sigh. I have tried eating a heavier dinner to perhaps curb the hunger, but to no avail. I feel like I have no self control over this.

Any suggestions?

TuffChixRule

Are you drinking enough water during the day? When I first started out I drank 8 to 16 ounces of water before each meal so I felt fuller faster.

nifer1029

I'm drinking about 8-12 glasses a day. Or 3 or 4 750ml Camelbak's full.

mizztanjo

I have some suggestions...
First off, how much and how often are you eating throughout the day? My cravings at night completely stopped when I realized I was undereating and not eating often enough. Depending on how active you are, you can eat 2,000+ calories a day and not gain weight. If you make these calories healthy & whole, and split them up into 5-6 meals a day, this will help the night time cravings a lot!
Secondly, peppermint tea. It calms the stomach. I love to eat, esp at night. So when I start getting "bored" hungry, I make a peppermint tea first, then wait 15 mins after I am done...if I am still hungry I go for a snack.
Thirdly, if nothing else helps, keep some healthier snacks in the house. So if you would normally go for cookies or chips, make sure to keep some popcorn chips or popchips lying around...cookies, I'd keep a protein bar (like Kind bar) in the house.

Hope this helps even a little!

cityruss

You're an adult, you are making a conscious decision to take the food and eat it.

Either exercise some willpower and don't do it, or carry on.

The choice lies with you.

jaqcan

Have a smaller meal during the day, which ever is easiest, and save 100-200 calories for that very moment.
Or, JUST STOP. Have a glass of water instead.
There, I'm telling you to STOP.
Are you restricting your calories too much? How many are you eating? What is your goal? How much do you have to lose?

Kalikel

You have to decide what you want. If you don't want to eat the stuff, don't eat it! If you want to eat it, eat it.

When you eat these things, you've chosen to do that. Your eating is NOT out of your control.

A lot of people eat less during the day and save calories for a late snack. Maybe that would be a good idea for you. If not, you're going to have to tell yourself, "No." Once you've said No once, it gets easier and easier. The first time is the hardest. So remember that while you argue with yourself - that'll be as hard as it gets and it's going to get easier.

SLLRunner

nifer1029 wrote: »

I have a terrible problem with this. Most nights around 10 or 11 pm I get up to use the bathroom and have to walk right by that fridge and my stomach growls and I eat something. And I don't seem to be able to will myself to just eat vegetables, or a piece of fruit. It's always cheese, or an egg, or leftovers... sigh. I have tried eating a heavier dinner to perhaps curb the hunger, but to no avail. I feel like I have no self control over this.

Any suggestions?

I tried to eat a snack in the middle of the night once just to see what it was like, but it did nothing for me. I'm glad I'm not a night eater.

The only way to get control of something is to tell yourself no. When you get up to go the restroom, walk right past that fridge and simply don't open the door, and go back to bed. The only power the fridge or any food has over you is the power you give it. The bottom line is you are in charge.

yasminara

I also have a willpower problem with feeling "hungry" at night! I have a few suggestions to help:

1) I noticed it was for me the types of food I'm eating for dinner that left me hungry at night. I would say eat a more protein rich meal at night! (Yogurt, meats, heck even nuts) Those will take longer to digest and you won't get the night hunger pains! I was eating leaner meals for dinner before because I thought that was better, but remember that meal is supposed to last you all night lol!

2) REMOVE all bad snacks and move all the healthy quick grab snacks out of range (put that string cheese in the back of a drawer so you have to go through a lot to get it at night. I say keep ingredients only up front and seal your leftovers in the back of your fridge too. If the worst thing you can grab is a banana, then you're solid.

3) Wait. Drink a small amount of room temp water. (Not too much or you'll get up to potty again. And try not to drink too much water late night and you may avoid getting up all together!) If you're still hungry in 5 minutes, then you're actually hungry and keep in mind to have a more protein rich dinner the next day!

Also, don't take the willpower comments too much to heart. Yes, willpower is important for our training, but listen to your body too. (Besides, if "suck it up and be perfect" was the golden answer, none of us would need a food diary in the first place lol!)

It's not just that you need to ignore the hungry--sometimes your body is telling you it's genuinely thirsty or hungry. However, also be honest with yourself and take the 5 minute moment to understand if you're really hungry or just emotionally eating at night! It is hard, but discipline and a few quick tricks can make life a lot easier! I hope this suggestion helps!

SLLRunner

yasminara wrote: »

Also, don't take the willpower comments too much to heart. Yes, willpower is important for our training, but listen to your body too. (Besides, if "suck it up and be perfect" was the golden answer, none of us would need a food diary in the first place lol!)

But, lack of willpower is the reason people overeat. Some of the things you mentioned in your post are wonderful tips to increase willpower.

Listening to our bodies is what got many of us overweight in the first place.

mae3599

Sleep when u feel hungry usually people who sleep earlyl lose faster the weights

karyabc

Look if you want to make this work for you, you are going to have a bit more discipline and above all plan plan and plan more for your late night snack! That is easy, guilt free, and would no break your efforts.

good luck!

karyabc

OP Can I ask, at what time do you ususally have dinner?

orchidbutterflies

I used to have a problem with bingeing, especially at night. I would get up and could pack in 1,500-2,000 calories.

The thing that helped me is spreading my food out every 2-4 hours and eating smaller, more filling foods. Don't make dinner your last meal (not sure if you do). I personally weigh out some Greek yogurt and pop it in the freezer for 45min and then add some fibre cereal and strawberries. It's really filling and is a nice substitute for ice cream.
Another thing that has helped me is to brush my teeth before bed and then "vow" not to eat again after because I can't brush my teeth again & I don't want to sleep with food residue in my mouth. It's silly, but it helps.


Also, you say you are getting up to go to the bathroom; Maybe you can try not drinking liquids so close to bed so you don't have to get up?

It's hard to try and get things under control, but you really have to want it bad enough. It feels great to walk away from your cravings, so try reminding yourself of that too, you can do it (:

gothchiq

More protein. Eat a few almonds at bed time.

yasminara

@SLLRunner It's not listening to your body that gets you overweight, it's listening to your emotions--listening to your body is essential, and nutritionists agree. Recognizing your true body response is what regulates your metabolism and routine--our body is smarter than we are on what we need.

Many people go hungry when actually their body is saying: eat more of the right kinds of food or I'm thirsty. They seem to think unhealthily they need to be "hungry" or they're not really dieting. Or they don't listen when their body is saying: look I'm full, please stop.

The reality is, people need to distinguish and discipline their emotional attachment to the way food can make you feel--comfort, satisfaction, etc. It's why willpower is actually important--to drown out the craving of comfort from food and allow our body to speak when it needs to.

It's why I told her to wait, and take the breather. Sometimes you need to tell yourself: Hey, maybe I just like the way this food will satisfy a craving I have. Sometimes, you're actually hungry and you're body is letting you know. That's why I provide suggestions for both cases!

I just hate the "you're not strong enough, that's why" mentality on MFP I see sometimes, when it's really not that simple an answer.

nifer1029

karyabc wrote: »

OP Can I ask, at what time do you usually have dinner?

Usually between 6 and 7 PM.


Thanks for all the responses.

I do enjoy the constructive suggestions. Having will power can be tough. I envy those who have it and totally cheer for them! Perhaps over time I will develop it. One step at a time.

I feel like late night eating is a big problem of mine. This is my step one. Try to eliminate it. Ask for help. Which is the purpose of this thread.

Depending on your definition of junk food, we don't keep it in the house. I think the worst thing we have yellow corn tortilla chips that I bought thinking I would make veggie nachos one night but I made an omelette instead. The potato chips were at work. The dip was a request a friend of mine made for a part she wast hosting.

I believe my profile is open, as is my diary. Feel free to look at it and tear it the hell apart, but please be constructive (and friendly). I have struggled with my weight since I was 9 years old. It is super frustrating to be sitting in the lunch room eating raw beet salad and a veggie burger (both of which i enjoy greatly) and seeing the same 2 thin girls get french fries and grilled cheese sandwiches. I'm not saying my diet is perfect or healthy (obviously, or I wouldn't be fat, right?), but it is conscious and I don't want my son to have the same struggle with food as I have always had. The only time I have been remotely close to being "thin" involved some very unhealthy habits.

karyabc

nifer1029 wrote: »

karyabc wrote: »

OP Can I ask, at what time do you usually have dinner?

Usually between 6 and 7 PM.


Thanks for all the responses.

I do enjoy the constructive suggestions. Having will power can be tough. I envy those who have it and totally cheer for them! Perhaps over time I will develop it. One step at a time.

I feel like late night eating is a big problem of mine. This is my step one. Try to eliminate it. Ask for help. Which is the purpose of this thread.

Depending on your definition of junk food, we don't keep it in the house. I think the worst thing we have yellow corn tortilla chips that I bought thinking I would make veggie nachos one night but I made an omelette instead. The potato chips were at work. The dip was a request a friend of mine made for a part she wast hosting.

I believe my profile is open, as is my diary. Feel free to look at it and tear it the hell apart, but please be constructive (and friendly). I have struggled with my weight since I was 9 years old. It is super frustrating to be sitting in the lunch room eating raw beet salad and a veggie burger (both of which i enjoy greatly) and seeing the same 2 thin girls get french fries and grilled cheese sandwiches. I'm not saying my diet is perfect or healthy (obviously, or I wouldn't be fat, right?), but it is conscious and I don't want my son to have the same struggle with food as I have always had. The only time I have been remotely close to being "thin" involved some very unhealthy habits.

Ok first step you need to eat stuff that makes you happy and that is pretty and that is something that is actually you'll be looking forward to eat, not food that makes you feel like is a damn sacrifice, and for me that translate in rice EVERYDAY cause where im from we eat that everyday and not a damn boring salad that would make want to cry.

I understand you girl, I was born overweight and got to 300 lbs last year, but we can do thisss!

Second problem for me would be, 6-7 it is to early dinner time for me, what I do and could work for you maybe is have a snack at 4-5, dinner by 8 and then you could plan a late snack for 10.

Do not give up, none of us built habit in one day, that took lot of trial and error.

karyabc

Psss just in case I got nothing again salad as main meal and veggie burgers, they are just not my thing**

jaga13

OP, just to clarify: are you saying you are already in bed, but get up to use the bathroom, and that's when the night eating occurs? If that's the case, limit your liquid a little in the evening, use the bathroom before you get in bed and STAY IN BED! If the process of getting up and walking past the fridge is a trigger, eliminate this process.

If you're saying that you're not in bed yet....go to bed earlier. Seriously. Brush your teeth, go to the bathroom, and get thee to bed. It's a much better habit than eating when you don't need to.

I eat dinner around 5-6pm and then stop until the next day. I no longer feel like I need a snack because my body is sufficiently full from the day. In fact, I used to love when my husband went to bed early so I could eat more and watch some guilty pleasure tv show. I no longer care for this. If he goes to bed early, so do I. It never hurts to get more rest (or just read/watch tv in bed).

kshama2001

nifer1029 wrote: »

karyabc wrote: »

OP Can I ask, at what time do you usually have dinner?

Usually between 6 and 7 PM....

There's no way I could get through the night if the last time I ate was dinner, so I save @ 200 calories for some sort of bedtime snack made with oatmeal, currently this:



The last thing I want is for hunger to wake me up at 3 AM.

jessmessmfp

Watermelon or popcorn. That is my go-to late night snack. Watermelon for my sweet, popcorn for my salty cravings. If you keep fresh cut watermelon or cantelope in a bowl - its much easier to snack on it than if it's uncut sitting in the back. With popcorn, I'll keep little popped baggies on my countertop for nibbling. I will pop a 100-calorie one every day or so and only eat whats in that bag - so I keep record of my nibbles.

bbontheb

The first issue, in my opinion, is that you consider and label this binging. Stop using the term binging when it doesn't apply. Binging has severe negative connotations and implications. Do not replace snacking, mindless eating, noshing with the term binging as this is not binging. Start reframing mindset to not use such a drastic term for nighttime snacking when you are hungry.

Then, as I struggle with PM snacking as well-I know that I have to start having a decent proper snack in the evening before bed. It's been mainly junk lately but going to swap out for rice cakes and canned salmon, or PB or something to help me feel more satisfied overnight. I used to be one to get up starving in the middle of the night and eat whatever I could find then go back to bed.

I would start by making a list of 200 calorie snacks like mentioned above that will could eat in the evening and try that for a week (eat one before bed).

2snakeswoman

Are you logging your food and keeping a calorie count? I think I would handle this either by preparing my snack and logging the calories before I go to bed OR tough it out and refuse to open that refrigerator. I would try to not even look in that direction. Also, sometimes to break a bad habit you have to really shake things up. Somehow you're in a rut that takes you straight to the refrigerator. Get out of the rut! Walk backwards to the bathroom or do lunge steps or skip - something totally different from what you have been doing. Bad habits are often tied to other habits. If you break up the habits around the bad habit, you break up the bad habit, too.