How can I avoid late night snacking?

sarahroper87

Hi, on day 9 of diet now and finding it so hard on a night when kids in bed to stop myself from snacking all I want is cake & chocolate

TavistockToad

save some cals for an evening snack?

Rottingtone

Have a nice big cold glass of water. Fills you up usually.

Meghanebk

Find something sweet you can enjoy in tiny portions? I love the Trader Joe tiny Mini peanut butter cups. A "serving" of those is 27 pieces/210 calories. So if I eat 6 of those (slow down and enjoy whatever you eat) its a nice treat and only 46 calories. People can say a bit of fruit is just as satisfying, but my brain and body sure don't think so.

Edit: Also, make sure your weight loss goals aren't too aggressive an you're getting enough protein/fat/carbs throughout the day.

SoulOfALion5

If you like tins of tuna. My personal favourite, tin of John West tuna 'chunks' in spring water. Great for a snack and filling with protein hit also.

work_on_it

Don't.

I love my late night munchies and drink, so i try to plan on them. Leave a few calories for a treat and chug lots o' water with it. I also find upping your activity during the day helps offset it.

I was miserable when I would just deny myself, so instead I plan and it's been working out.

sarahroper87

Thank you for all your replies I will give them ago x

kgirlhart

Just save some calories for an after dinner snack.

seltzermint555

This probably isn't for everyone but I find that brushing and flossing right after dinner makes me not want to eat again until breakfast. I am too lazy to do it again just so I can have a snack, even if I do have a few calories remaining (but I usually don't anyway because I know I'm not going to eat past my evening meal).

Brabo_Grip

effing_steve wrote: »

Go to bed early?

This literally is often the way I control my late night grazing desires. I force myself to go to bed early - which has other health benefits obviously.

Nurturegirl

When you have a craving browse MFP's community forums. Distract your mind!

firstjog11

I have been following a fitness nutrition specialist for awhile now...her advice and I have found it really works for me is to eat some healthy fats at night. You feel full and under control for the evening. It is usually like 12 almonds or 8-12 black olives or something similar. Good luck!

bweath2

Glass of water with 2Tbl apple cider vinegar and 2Tbl lemon juice and add stevia to sweeten.
Yes, it's gross. When I did this, I didn't feel like eating anytime soon after and it took away sugar cravings in general.

Gould118

The struggle is real! When I feel like I want to snack late at night I drink a glass of water first. If I still feel like I want something I will let my self have a 1/2 cup of no fat cottage cheese! If you going to eat, make sure it's protein!

nballos77

Drink a glass of water and if the hunger persists eat a small piece of cheese , hope that helps

SoulOfALion5

Gould118 wrote: »

The struggle is real! When I feel like I want to snack late at night I drink a glass of water first. If I still feel like I want something I will let my self have a 1/2 cup of no fat cottage cheese! If you going to eat, make sure it's protein!

Yea, agree here, I love cottage cheese with chives !!!

LivingtheLeanDream

Save some calories for your night time snack. If you've used them up then drink water and keep busy. It really is just a habit/notion to want to snack, usually not from being hungry, boredom really can make us want to reach for the cookies!

cs2thecox

I agree with @seltzermint555 that brushing your teeth is helpful.
Or just take some time out with a nice mug of tea.

Also, do you eat with your children? You might do a bit better to delay your evening meal until a bit later, if that fits with your/their routine. Depending what time they eat, I get that child dinner time through to adult bed time can be a long time...!

msemiliejean

When I was in uni I found late night snacking was one of my biggest food vices - I would barely eat all day and then just be so hungry late at night while studying and eat whatever.

If you incorporate some healthy fats in your meals throughout the day you may find that you won't be as hungry later. They really tend to keep you fuller for longer. As much as you may want to snack on whatever late at night, once that craving hits try a mug of tea or glass of water first. Then if you're still hungry and not just bored try reaching for something that's delicious but also filling - like apple slices and almond butter. Or just swap something naughty for something better. If you want ice cream instead blend a frozen banana with a dash of vanilla extract and almond milk until it's smooth, add some nuts or cacao nibs and it satisfies that craving well without derailing you! I've even found having a mug of hot cocoa is enough to get that sweet kick you want late at night

ninerbuff

I eat till 11:30pm. EVERY DAY. Because many shows I DVR'd are of an adult nature, that's when I watch them and snack. It's been a habitual behavior since I've been an adult and will till I die I'm sure.
What has helped to control calories is NOT eating between when I sleep and 12pm.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

TonyB0588

sarahroper87 wrote: »

Hi, on day 9 of diet now and finding it so hard on a night when kids in bed to stop myself from snacking all I want is cake & chocolate

What time do the kids go to bed? Maybe try and go to bed then as well.

wefts

Fiber and lots of fluids will help you feel full and save a few calories for a snack I try to save 100-300 cal for a snack . low cal toast and a chia nut butter spread or a 4 oz serving of ice milk or even green beans with a tsp of butter ( what ever will do it for you ./ make sure you are not cutting your calories too tight I was doing 1100 for weeks but got cranky so I upped it to 1400 that gives me 300 more to play with

astral_baby

honestly my advice is a complete back-door approach

figure out WHY you are eating at night, after supper. were your meals not satiating (enough fat & protein in them) throughout the day? was your dinner not satiating? are you eating because you're stressed, bored, anxious, or sad

and don't judge yourself. and don't try to control the snacking. and don't try to stop the snacking. just figure out why, without judging yourself.

overeating is a symptom, not a problem to be fixed. For myself, when I identify the real problem, the symptom gradually resolves.

ninerbuff

astral_baby wrote: »

honestly my advice is a complete back-door approach

figure out WHY you are eating at night, after supper. were your meals not satiating (enough fat & protein in them) throughout the day? was your dinner not satiating? are you eating because you're stressed, bored, anxious, or sad

and don't judge yourself. and don't try to control the snacking. and don't try to stop the snacking. just figure out why, without judging yourself.

overeating is a symptom, not a problem to be fixed. For myself, when I identify the real problem, the symptom gradually resolves.

Or it could be just habitual. Lots of people snack at night and to take that away from them completely is a habitual behavior change.
If one is allotting for all their calories, eating at night is fine. Meal timing is pretty irrelevant for weight gain/loss/maintenance.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

blancah71

I have the same problem. I can be mindful of my eating during the day but at night when it's time to relax and watch tv I want sugar. Water, cottage cheese and other suggestions just don't cut it. Sometimes an apple with peanut butter or caramel will do it. Sometimes a chocolate protein bar and sometimes I split a candy bar with my husband. If I deprive myself I know I won't stick to any diet so you'll have to find options that work for you in moderation.

macclone

Put the kids to bed, take your food into bathroom. Get undressed and then you decide to eat it or flush it.

WilmaValley

Nothing wrong with a late night snack, just plan for it and make sure it is something really really good that you are looking forward to and can enjoy without guilt!