Late night snacking! Help me !

chevysmommy41

Is there anyone out there who is an awful late night snacker?! It's 2 am right now and I'm sitting here with some 70 calorie cookies and I KNOW I've eaten way more than 1 serving
I've struggled with this ever since I started breastfeeding. I just feel like I'm ALWAYS hungry! If I wake up in the night and don't grab a snack, then I get sick feeling. I guess maybe I should try to just pick healthier snacks late at night? How to I get rid of these cravings? Is it normal for someone whose breastfeeding? Should I just stop snacking at night even if I get sick? Help me

rileysowner

First, are you sure you are eating enough. Breast feeding takes a lot of calories. Maybe you simply need more food. If that is the case this is simply your body saying eat so that you can feed yourself and your baby.

Second, log even your night eating. I know it is a pain measuring out portions, but do it. To simply eat mindlessly and heedless of how big your portions are is not helpful, by that I mean it doesn't give you information on how much you are actually eating. So instead of just sitting down with the box/bag of cookies, weigh out a serving, put the bag/box away, put the cookies on a small plate, pour yourself something to drink and if it has calories measure out a serving as well and log your food and drink. Then go to another room with that snack and eat it slowly taking your time and savoring it. When you are finished put the plate and cup away to be cleaned and go back to bed.

Third, realize this, when you eat your calories doesn't matter, just total calorie consumption. In light of that, you may need to plan for this by leaving calories available.

Summary, make sure you are getting enough calorie as someone who is breast feeding as you may need to eat more calorie in a day, measure and log your snacks, and if this is a regular thing budget calories for it.