Maintaining weight, how to avoid late night snacks?

New to maintaining weight, any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
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Replies

  • PegMoffat
    PegMoffat Posts: 24 Member
    I generally find that as long as I eat enough calories during the day, I don't feel a need to snack at night
  • barbecuesauce
    barbecuesauce Posts: 1,771 Member
    The same way you do it while losing . . . by planning ahead and allocating post-dinner calories.

    Personally, i find that my morning runs are better when I have a carby snack in the evening.
  • RhodeWarrior401
    RhodeWarrior401 Posts: 53 Member
    Dont avoid it! Just make a sensible choice. Apples or any fruit, a SMALL handful of almonds/nuts (<< calorie dense), frozen yogurt, nibble on some dark chocolate. When you sleep, youre basically fasting for 8 hours, so its not a bad idea to eat a small snack while winding down from the day.
  • Detroitcity86
    Detroitcity86 Posts: 25 Member
    PegMoffat wrote: »
    I generally find that as long as I eat enough calories during the day, I don't feel a need to snack at night
    Thanks!
  • Detroitcity86
    Detroitcity86 Posts: 25 Member
    The same way you do it while losing . . . by planning ahead and allocating post-dinner calories.

    Personally, i find that my morning runs are better when I have a carby snack in the evening.
    Thanks!

  • Detroitcity86
    Detroitcity86 Posts: 25 Member
    Dont avoid it! Just make a sensible choice. Apples or any fruit, a SMALL handful of almonds/nuts (<< calorie dense), frozen yogurt, nibble on some dark chocolate. When you sleep, youre basically fasting for 8 hours, so its not a bad idea to eat a small snack while winding down from the day.
    Thanks! that sounds sensible

  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    Same as when losing... I don't. But it's relatively easy for me I guess, I know it's just a couple hours then I'll sleep and get to eat in the morning, so even when I'm hungry I can ignore it.
  • kimberlyhurt
    kimberlyhurt Posts: 128 Member
    I try to save 100 cal for a snack after dinner. Sometimes it's popcorn, sometimes it's a fudgesicle... and sometimes I just go to bed. Allowing yourself a snack tends to lessen the cravings anyway. A lot of times I just want something because I can't have it.
  • Azurite27
    Azurite27 Posts: 554 Member
    As others have said, don't avoid it, plan ahead to fit it in your calories for the day.
  • Unknown
    edited August 2015
    This content has been removed.
  • nikkiab86
    nikkiab86 Posts: 45 Member
    When you feel the urge, get up and brush your teeth. Colgate is very minty. Usually you wouldn't want to eat after brushing. Or even with mouth wash.
  • nikkiab86
    nikkiab86 Posts: 45 Member
    I usually just chew on low cal sugar free gum. And watch netflex til bed. It's not because I'm hungry late night. It's just gluttony for me.
  • 1juaguirre
    1juaguirre Posts: 8 Member
    edited August 2015
    you may also be thirsty, the brain sends the same signal to you body telling you to eat or drink, so drink water!
  • makemybodysing
    makemybodysing Posts: 30 Member
    I agree about being thirsty - many people can't tell the difference between being hungry and thirsty, so have a drink and see if that helps. I find having a hot drink works better than plain water or something cold, because it's comforting, and you have to spend time over it and that makes you feel like you've really had something!

    Alternatively, late night snacks may just be a habit - you're used to eating at night so that's what your body wants to do. It is really much better NOT to eat for two hours before bedtime because it can disturb your sleep - you don't need food to get your body through the night", in fact there's a lot of evidence to suggest that a long fast - say, no food from 6pm till breakfast - is actually good for you.
  • Detroitcity86
    Detroitcity86 Posts: 25 Member
    Thanks everyone! This really helps
  • Detroitcity86
    Detroitcity86 Posts: 25 Member
    I agree about being thirsty - many people can't tell the difference between being hungry and thirsty, so have a drink and see if that helps. I find having a hot drink works better than plain water or something cold, because it's comforting, and you have to spend time over it and that makes you feel like you've really had something!

    Alternatively, late night snacks may just be a habit - you're used to eating at night so that's what your body wants to do. It is really much better NOT to eat for two hours before bedtime because it can disturb your sleep - you don't need food to get your body through the night", in fact there's a lot of evidence to suggest that a long fast - say, no food from 6pm till breakfast - is actually good for you.
    Thanks a lot, ill try drinking decaffeinated tea!

  • Detroitcity86
    Detroitcity86 Posts: 25 Member
    nikkiab86 wrote: »
    When you feel the urge, get up and brush your teeth. Colgate is very minty. Usually you wouldn't want to eat after brushing. Or even with mouth wash.
    Thanks!

  • Detroitcity86
    Detroitcity86 Posts: 25 Member
    1juaguirre wrote: »
    you may also be thirsty, the brain sends the same signal to you body telling you to eat or drink, so drink water!
    Thanks! I always drink plenty of water, trying to cut down on how much I drink at night bcuz i have to keep waking up to use the bathroom. Ill try drinking a small amount at night

  • Detroitcity86
    Detroitcity86 Posts: 25 Member
    I try to save 100 cal for a snack after dinner. Sometimes it's popcorn, sometimes it's a fudgesicle... and sometimes I just go to bed. Allowing yourself a snack tends to lessen the cravings anyway. A lot of times I just want something because I can't have it.
    Thanks! Good tips

  • makemybodysing
    makemybodysing Posts: 30 Member
    Have you tried peppermint tea, or maybe some kind of chai? You can get chai tea bags and you don't have to add milk. If you like it sweet, one teaspoon of sugar isn't going to ruin your diet.
  • Detroitcity86
    Detroitcity86 Posts: 25 Member
    Have you tried peppermint tea, or maybe some kind of chai? You can get chai tea bags and you don't have to add milk. If you like it sweet, one teaspoon of sugar isn't going to ruin your diet.
    Yeah i actually have peppermint tea in the kitchen, i keep forgetting about it lol. Thanks for the reminder!

  • dmt4641
    dmt4641 Posts: 409 Member
    Like others have said, I allot calories to the evening because otherwise I would be hungry when I go to sleep. I usually eat some cottage cheese mixed with peanut butter - I know it sounds gross but I like it. The protein and fat keeps be full all night. If I have extra calories I will eat a little dessert too.
  • steph2strong
    steph2strong Posts: 426 Member
    Low sugar hot chocolate really helps me. Even after I have an after dinner snack I sometimes want more (like a whole bag of cookies instead of just one) but if I make a cup of hot chocolate it fills me right up and cuts the sugar cravings.
  • RogerToo
    RogerToo Posts: 16,157 Member
    New to maintaining weight, any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

    Hi
    As Others have said work a snack into Your calories for the Day. I am working at losing more so I do 1800 calories a day and 150 of those calories are in the evening around 9:30. That works for me. One choice would be snack packs of Pretzels, Popcorn etc. I saw one at Walmart yesterday where the different snacks were all 140 to 160 calories per, Most were 150. Or look at the small Microwave Popcorn, I have some Orville Redenbachers Mini 100 calorie bags from CostCo on the shelf. Or Use a Dannon Light & Fit Greek Yogurt. They run a good amount of protein and only 80 calories per container. They are all delicious, I use them for Dessert with my Lunch and Dinner as a tasty treat.

    Good Luck
    Roger
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    I eat a high volume, low calorie dinner at about 350-400 calories, leaving 200 for after dinner.
  • Detroitcity86
    Detroitcity86 Posts: 25 Member
    dmt4641 wrote: »
    Like others have said, I allot calories to the evening because otherwise I would be hungry when I go to sleep. I usually eat some cottage cheese mixed with peanut butter - I know it sounds gross but I like it. The protein and fat keeps be full all night. If I have extra calories I will eat a little dessert too.
    Wow i never heard of mixing cottage cheese w/pnut butter lol yuck lol,but i do like cottage cheese, that sounds like a good night time snack! Thanks!

  • Detroitcity86
    Detroitcity86 Posts: 25 Member
    RogerToo wrote: »
    New to maintaining weight, any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

    Hi
    As Others have said work a snack into Your calories for the Day. I am working at losing more so I do 1800 calories a day and 150 of those calories are in the evening around 9:30. That works for me. One choice would be snack packs of Pretzels, Popcorn etc. I saw one at Walmart yesterday where the different snacks were all 140 to 160 calories per, Most were 150. Or look at the small Microwave Popcorn, I have some Orville Redenbachers Mini 100 calorie bags from CostCo on the shelf. Or Use a Dannon Light & Fit Greek Yogurt. They run a good amount of protein and only 80 calories per container. They are all delicious, I use them for Dessert with my Lunch and Dinner as a tasty treat.

    Good Luck
    Roger
    Thanks! (not really a popcorn fan) I may try the pretzels & yogurt ☺

  • Detroitcity86
    Detroitcity86 Posts: 25 Member
    arditarose wrote: »
    I eat a high volume, low calorie dinner at about 350-400 calories, leaving 200 for after dinner.
    Thanks! I may try that

  • Detroitcity86
    Detroitcity86 Posts: 25 Member
    fernt21 wrote: »
    Low sugar hot chocolate really helps me. Even after I have an after dinner snack I sometimes want more (like a whole bag of cookies instead of just one) but if I make a cup of hot chocolate it fills me right up and cuts the sugar cravings.
    Thanks! Yeah i love hot chocolate!

  • bkate24
    bkate24 Posts: 73 Member
    I complete my diary entry right after dinner (or even after I've weighed the raw components and it's cooking). For me that's an incentive to not eat more because it's nice to see the total and the "if every day was like today" message at the bottom.

    You could do similarly but just pre-log a healthy snack and then complete the day's entry. Once you see the total calories for the day that are in range, you feel proud and don't want to lose that feeling by adding more. At least that's how it is for me.

    Also, sometimes I still feel like I need a dessert or evening sweet because I'm still in the mindset that your dinner isn't complete without one. But when that happens, I just make sure I plan ahead and have a dessert/snack option that fits in my calorie budget (as others above said). What I did was buy great quality but suuuper dark chocolate (Ghirardelli Midnight Reverie for me). It took me a while to get used to it and I had to take small bites because the flavor was so intense, but once I adjusted to it, regular chocolate tastes horribly sweet to me and I can't eat more than like 30g of it anyway. Plus, with just two flat squares of the really dark chocolate, it was so strong that my chocolate craving was satisfied.

    Good luck!