Cutting evening snacking habit

Hulbert0089

Breakfast lunch and dinner are no problem. Then comes the hours between 7-11pm and I find myself craving. Any snack suggestions?

135terry

I don't have any snack suggestions, as I find as soon as I started snacking in the evening, I can't stop. However, because late night snacking is such a problem for me, I decided to join a challenge on MFP called "Say No to Late Night Snacking", where participants record daily their battle against LNS. For example if last night you did no late night snacking you would record Me: 1, LNS: 0 and some include "Streak" to record the number of days they've gone in a row without LNS. Participants determine what LNS means to them. For me it is after 7:30PM, however, for others they allow themselves a LNS as long as they are still within their calorie allowance for the day.

Many participating within the challenge have indicated it is really helping them get their LNS under control. I know you were looking for snacking suggestions, but thought this challenge may also be of interest to you.

Tacklewasher

I've got a box of small bags of chips (28g) and will have 1 if I need a snack. Otherwise, baby carrots or snap peas. All logged.

ElJefeChief

Or, you could just embrace your evening snacking. Make sure you otherwise hit your macros, then make sure you have plenty of calories saved up for the evening hours.

Me, I have had a thing for doritos and peanut butter cups of late.

candythorns

Cucumbers and laughing cow cheese, or tea

kymleclair

My go to is popcorn!

cerise_noir

DrEnalg wrote: »

Or, you could just embrace your evening snacking. Make sure you otherwise hit your macros, then make sure you have plenty of calories saved up for the evening hours.

Me, I have had a thing for doritos and peanut butter cups of late.

I like this.

ashliedelgado

Second on popcorn. Reasonable in calories and it satisfies my urge to munch.

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

I eat a lot of veggies in the evening because I'm a huge evening snacker and that allows me to have a few snacks throughout the night.

The biggest thing that's helped me though is having a hobby. I'm an artist so I often paint in the evening. Keeping my mind busy on that helps me not think about food.

Rebecca0224

DrEnalg wrote: »

Or, you could just embrace your evening snacking. Make sure you otherwise hit your macros, then make sure you have plenty of calories saved up for the evening hours.

Me, I have had a thing for doritos and peanut butter cups of late.

mine is Doritos and cottage cheese lol or McDonald's, I have a Big Mac habit.

SisterSueGetsFit

Popcorn or pickles

kayleighcabral

I have a huge problem with night time snacking myself and always turn to things that are obviously not good for me plus a soda. When I'm laying around watching TV, I get the temptation to EAT EAT EAT! I hate it!. My question here is, is when should I stop eating at night?

rileysowner

I eat my meal later. It is cooking right now, so I will likely be eating by 8 or so. Some days it is later.

hbunting86

I try to eat later - not always possible with a 2 1/2 year old but when he's at his dads I stretch it out. If I do need a snack (and I often do... When my eyes are open I'm hungry basically) I'll opt for snap peas and hummous, carrot sticks, cucumber, or if I need something sweet Greek yogurt and frozen berries. I don't buy into the 'low fat' ethos as I find whole foods are generally more satiating, just be sure to weigh and log accurately.

ashcky

I just save calories so I can snack in the evening. Those mostly come from exercise.

Blueseraphchaos

If I'm low on calories, I eat pickles, other veggies or low cal fruits, sugar free jello, or sugar free hard candy. If I have calories to spare, I eat whatever...

victoria_1024

I save 300-400 calories for a late evening snack. Trust me, I'm way happier like this. Usually it's a big bowl of popcorn and a cup of (carefully weighed out) m&ms. I have 4 kids, and 9 pm is the only calm quiet time I get to eat during my day so there's no way I'm giving that up. I lost 90 lbs doing this and have been maintaining since April.

deannalfisher

the first thing i do each morning is put my evening bowl of cereal/milk into my MFP - same thing every night - 32g of fruit loops and 1/2 milk - about 170cal - i eat it while sitting in bed right before i go to sleep

lulalacroix

I always save calories for late night snacking. I often have a bowl of cereal with fruit.

lemonychild

Ure eating dinner too early, if u stay up till 11 why eat at 5 if u already ready for a snack at 7? I mean r u hungry at dinner time? If not, eat later or save calories when u not hungry for snack time

jh5377

This seems to work for me most of the time. I make a normal cup of tea and then a green tea. drink the black tea and then the green tea as its cooled down - then i feel full from two cups of hot drinks. have to do this before the cravings and i think the fruit flavoured green tea gives me that sweetness.

R_is_for_Rachel

kayleighcabral wrote: »

I have a huge problem with night time snacking myself and always turn to things that are obviously not good for me plus a soda. When I'm laying around watching TV, I get the temptation to EAT EAT EAT! I hate it!. My question here is, is when should I stop eating at night?

If you eat too late then it will impact sleep because your body will still be digesting whilst you're trying to sleep.

I go by the rule of not eating last 2 hours before bed, unless it's something very small

rileysowner

R_is_for_Rachel wrote: »

kayleighcabral wrote: »

I have a huge problem with night time snacking myself and always turn to things that are obviously not good for me plus a soda. When I'm laying around watching TV, I get the temptation to EAT EAT EAT! I hate it!. My question here is, is when should I stop eating at night?

If you eat too late then it will impact sleep because your body will still be digesting whilst you're trying to sleep.

I go by the rule of not eating last 2 hours before bed, unless it's something very small

It takes about 8 hours for the average meal to digest, not two. The only issue I know of in terms of eating close to bed time in terms of the digestive track is for those with acid reflux. They should not eat within a few hours of going to bed because it will make their reflux worse when they lie down. If a person does not have reflux, it is personal preference. Many people sleep better with a fuller stomach.

kommodevaran

Do you want to snack or do you want to stop snacking? If you get in proper nutrition, and you are healthy, you should be able to live well on three meals a day. Just decide that that's what you do, and stick to it. No problem really.

Are you losing weight too fast? If so, you need more food.
Are you losing at a proper rate, or maintaining, but still hungry? Maybe you need better food. See if you're lacking protein, fat or fiber. Get in a variety of vegetables and fruit, some whole grains, meat and fish and nuts, dairy and eggs.
Are you craving something tasty? Plan your meals so that you eat food you like for every meal.
Are you tempted by sweets etc lying around? Don't let temptations lie around.
Are you bored? Do something (not eating).
Are you tired? Go to bed.

sarijuanaaa

hi! if possible, maybe u could think "am i just bored or am i actually hungry" before u eat. a great healthy(?) snack is abound's strawberry fruit snack bar, similar to a fruit wrap and for lack of better wording, it is like a knock-off fruit rollup

abovethecity

I have this problem too. I've only had success with this by saving calories and then telling myself that I can eat a snack at a specific time every night, so I look forward to it.

kayleexbabeex

Snap I wanted to cut out the evening time snacks, this is when it's worse for me. I did start off with fruit but it doesn't curb that craving for a little sugar or treat. I bought hartleys 10calorie jello pots or just save 100calories or whatever to use on the evening just to satisfy it.

active562

If you snack out of boredem , try and find something to take your mind off things MFP helped me realize that theres more to life than just food

LivingtheLeanDream

Save some calories for your evening snacking.
Sipping water /tea helps if you have consumed all your calories.
Consistent determination not to snack can become a habit after a while (that's what I found anyway).

jenilla1

I always have a "buffer" of extra calories saved for after dinner. The worst days for cravings are days that I didn't exercise and days that I ate a lot of sugar. The earlier I eat the sugar load, the sooner the snacking begins. Obviously blood sugar spikes and crashes explain why I have the munchies on high sugar days, but why the heck am I so hungry on sedentary days and not on active days? Just weird I guess.

rainbow198

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