How on earth do I stop the after dinner snacking?!

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Replies

  • When you are feeling the urge to snack, drink water. A large glass. Many times we confuse hunger with thirst and this might help curb your evening cravings!
  • rkcampbell
    rkcampbell Posts: 188 Member
    I leave at LEAST 200-300 calories for evening snacking. I also find that a cup of tea with some sweetener in it helps to fill my belly and curb cravings.
  • meagsdionne
    meagsdionne Posts: 47 Member
    Maybe it is a Meg issue, I do the same thing. Trying to break the habit. A nutritionist told me today it may be because I'm not getting enough calories and fat during the day. Worth seeing if you are doing the same thing.
  • Kandyhar
    Kandyhar Posts: 95 Member
    I like reading the helpful suggestions. I do the same thing and think brushing your teeth would work (I'll try it tonight)... I think throwing away bad foods helps obviously... but people seem to forget it's just as easy to go over (way over sometimes) your calorie limits even by snacking on healthy foods. I have a gigantic tea cup and I just bought a bunch of awesome teas... add some stevia and almond milk and drink a couple cups and it fills me up more. If it doesn't work I'm going to try to eat dinner later as well. It kills a whole day's worth of eating right, so I understand the situation you are in.
  • Kevalicious99
    Kevalicious99 Posts: 1,131 Member
    One obvious (to me) solution is to get rid of the unhealthy snacks and replace with things that are better for you such as celery sticks.

    This is what I do. I go thru 8 celery hearts a week. If I feel like eating something after supper (and I regularly do), I just make sure it is something that won't have me blow my whole day.

    Celery is a good choice .. and what I have been doing. Sometimes if I want a change I will have some fruit instead.
    I just don't buy junk food anymore .. so if it isn't in my house then I cannot eat it.
  • Artaxia
    Artaxia Posts: 185
    eat some more fiber, or eat veggies. Those are really filling. Make sure you don't eat anything too high in sugar (even natural sugar) because it causes your glucose levels to rise and then crash, which makes you hungry again!
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  • Thats my worst time also I've stopped buying myself treats and really step up my exercise to give me a few extra cal. but i write down what i eat and boy with it staring at you in the face, all those sneaking extra cals, well thats how it was gained, denial is not just a river.
  • EllenKay63
    EllenKay63 Posts: 516 Member
    I can't help eating snacks straight after dinner! Crackers, peanut butter, crisps, yoghurt, just whatever I have in my house. Calories wise its like a eat 2 meals at once, my normal dinner (550 cals) then snacks (400)... This is really bad for my diet but I can't take my hands... I already tried drinking tea and chewing gum.. It doesn't work...

    Any tips, tricks, or words of wisdom?! :)
    I know what you mean. When I first started MFP in January I was doing great at having one candy bar a day as my treat and eat better the rest of the day. I lost weight and was happy. However, lately I don't have the self control that I had before. Granted I've got a lot going on, my husband started his new job, I started my new job, and we are thinking of buying a bigger house. I can't blame it all on stress. The best things that seems to work for me is either go outside and walk or bike to clear my head. The change of scenery helps. Or write. It keeps my mind and fingers busy. If I write in my diary I can work through some stuff,or work on my novel where I work out ways to kill former co-workers. If only I could figure out the rest of the novel and solve the who-done-it. Sometimes visualize eating it. How does it smell, how does it taste, how does it feel in your mouth. The pleasure of eating it without the calories. Self control is great, but sometimes it doesn't work. I know eating the chocolate isn't going to make me happy in the long run. Sorry I can't help more but you are not alone.
  • NRSPAM
    NRSPAM Posts: 961 Member
    I am the same way, it's a habit, or more like an addiction!!! I allow myself to have something, but I don't let myself have 5 different snacks before bed like I used to. Lol. It seemed like even if I did allow for it in my calories, I just wouldn't lose weight by doing all that snacking. Brush your teeth after dinner, drink lots of water, like your mad at it! Lol. Do something to occupy your mind, hit the treadmill, go for a walk, read a book, whatever. I also have had to treat myself like a little kid, and just say no! :) Some of the snacks I do let myself have are a bowl of MEASURED out cereal, a protein shake, or a serving of whatever chocolate or caramels, if I feel like I have to have it. Good luck! :)
  • EllenKay63
    EllenKay63 Posts: 516 Member
    Yes.

    Get some self control.

    ^^ this.. put on your grown-up pants and "just do it"
    Brilliant advice from the 22 and 24 year old... Please...
    I'm glad I'm not the only one who didn't care for these comments
  • belgd
    belgd Posts: 26 Member
    I like to snack too so I plan it out so that I can snack and not go over my cals. Also, try not to buy any bad snacks in the first place. If you don't bring em home and they aren't in your home.. you obviously won't eat them. (:
  • Aishteru85
    Aishteru85 Posts: 51 Member
    I try to eat lighter breakfast and lunch and usually leave about 600 cals for dinner and snacks. You dont have to stop just opt for a lower cal alternative for example i eat chocolate for snacks but i buy the sugarless kind, gluten free and low in carbs. Ice cream I buy the light version where one good serving is about 60-80 cals. You can snack, no problem but opt for the healthier versions of the things that you like and they taste just as good, if not better. Good Luck.
  • FindingAmy77
    FindingAmy77 Posts: 1,268 Member
    you know you want a snack after dinner. So do I. just plan for it and have some already made up baggies of portioned out pretzels, or apple slices, or a greek yogurt, or even have a packet of oatmeal. There is nothing wrong with snacking after dinner. When you deprive yourself, you tend to eat more calories because you get hungry and then its your growling stomach pains vs whatever is in sight. Your body never stops metabolizing so feed it. Drink your water too, sometimes when we feel hungry its actually our bodies saying hydrate me.
  • EllenKay63
    EllenKay63 Posts: 516 Member
    I can't help eating snacks straight after dinner! Crackers, peanut butter, crisps, yoghurt, just whatever I have in my house. Calories wise its like a eat 2 meals at once, my normal dinner (550 cals) then snacks (400)... This is really bad for my diet but I can't take my hands... I already tried drinking tea and chewing gum.. It doesn't work...

    Any tips, tricks, or words of wisdom?! :)
    I was wondering if you were doing any better
  • yustick
    yustick Posts: 238 Member
    18 months in, 120 pounds lost and I still struggles with late night munchies.

    What usually works for me is going to the gym instead of watching TV. If I need a break from the gym, I try to pamper myself a bit...hot bubble bath, pedicure/manicure and facial. It is also harder to eat playing video games, then watching TV.

    You can try logging before you eat and just taking one serving at a time. Instead of sitting down with a bag of chips, weigh out an ounce, log it, eat it...repeat if necessary.

    I also keep sugar free Jell-o prepared. I can eat a huge filling bowl for only 80 calories.

    Best wishes.
  • If you want to snack after dinner, snack on hard boiled eggs and apples. Keep a tray of hard boiled eggs and apples in your fridge and after dinner if you feel like snacking snack on hard boiled eggs and apples. Apples will help your sugar cravings and hard boiled eggs help you feel satisfied as protein is an appetite suppressant.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,984 Member
    I can't help eating snacks straight after dinner! Crackers, peanut butter, crisps, yoghurt, just whatever I have in my house. Calories wise its like a eat 2 meals at once, my normal dinner (550 cals) then snacks (400)... This is really bad for my diet but I can't take my hands... I already tried drinking tea and chewing gum.. It doesn't work...

    Any tips, tricks, or words of wisdom?! :)
    Save calories for eating snacks at night then. That's what I do. I eat all the way up till 11:30pm. However I do skip breakfast every morning and resume eating after 12pm.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • KCW37
    KCW37 Posts: 48 Member
    i bought flavored teas they help so much
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,984 Member
    Stop eating that kind of food. Dont purchase it either. That food seems to be the kind that you cant just stop at one, coz it tastes good. Since you cant just stop at one, dont even start. I also believe the manufacturers of that food make it so good that you want more. it has ingredients that dont satisfy you , it makes you want more.

    so just say no and problem solved. substitute something else more filling like fiber. Also stop doing whatever you are doing while eating snacks. if its your watching tv, and you have to have mindless snacking, then get up and dont watch tv, but do something that gets you away from it.
    It doesn't have to be all or nothing. The number ONE reason why people regain weight is because they abstain from foods they like for a dieting period, then reintroduce them. It's a lot smarter to be able to fit those foods in and learn moderation so that binging and craving doesn't get out of hand.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • teagirlmedium
    teagirlmedium Posts: 679 Member
    Stop eating that kind of food. Dont purchase it either. That food seems to be the kind that you cant just stop at one, coz it tastes good. Since you cant just stop at one, dont even start. I also believe the manufacturers of that food make it so good that you want more. it has ingredients that dont satisfy you , it makes you want more.

    so just say no and problem solved. substitute something else more filling like fiber. Also stop doing whatever you are doing while eating snacks. if its your watching tv, and you have to have mindless snacking, then get up and dont watch tv, but do something that gets you away from it.
    It doesn't have to be all or nothing. The number ONE reason why people regain weight is because they abstain from foods they like for a dieting period, then reintroduce them. It's a lot smarter to be able to fit those foods in and learn moderation so that binging and craving doesn't get out of hand.

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

    I kind of agree with both people here. I think that if you are someone who will eat nonstop while you are doing something else then you should either stop doing that thing and do something else, or stop having the stuff in your house that you can't stop eating. I do not think you should stop having the stuff long term though. Lets say chips. If you eat a family size bag of chips everyday and can not stop until the chips are gone, then you should not buy the chips anymore for a few weeks to about a month. Then you should limit the amount of chips you buy when you go to the store. I think you should slowly train yourself to eat less of what you like. If you decide on an amount of chips to buy for the week and say that is all you can have of those chips for that week then do not buy anymore than that amount. If you eat all of those chips in one day then you cannot have anymore chips for the rest of the week. If you stick to that rule for several weeks, you should eventually learn to eat smaller amounts of what you like. So eventually you will no longer be gobbling down whatever you are gobbling down after dinner right now. Good luck with whatever you try to do.
  • I typically drink hot tea with a tablespoon honey or stevia every night. ( This has replaced my wine lol) if I am super hungry I alway budget a couple 100 calories to have a snack in the evening if needed. Hope that helps.:happy:
  • tymberh
    tymberh Posts: 67 Member
    Personally what I did when I wanted to stop snacking after dinner is I started eating late in evening, like 7:00 pm, then slowly moved the time up to 5:30 pm, my body adjusted slowly and I was no longer hungry after dinner!
  • Mrsko79
    Mrsko79 Posts: 8 Member
    Night eating is the hardest for me. I suffer from insomnia most days, even after a full day of activities and work outs! I eat my dinner early because my husband leaves for work early.. I eat a satisfying meal, I make sure I have enough calories left for a dessert, and a snack. And since I'm really trying to loose weight, I stopped eating ANYTHING after 9. My after dinner snacks are: fruit, salad, any kind of snackable veggies, fat free dressings, cottage cheese, low calorie popcorn, and even a small bowl of cereal with low cal almond milk.

    I can say it seems It has gotten easier with time.

    I also like tea and to watch or read some motivational weight loss stories. It helps me! Goodluck everyone
  • tymberh
    tymberh Posts: 67 Member
    Yes.

    Get some self control.

    ^^ this.. put on your grown-up pants and "just do it"
    Brilliant advice from the 22 and 24 year old... Please...
    I'm glad I'm not the only one who didn't care for these comments


    I really dis-appreciate the age discrimination here (on this site in particular) , although I do not agree with their comments, everyone has a different maturity level NO MATTER WHAT YOUR AGE IS. It's personality not age. People who are 50 yrs old that act 40 yrs old don't get discrimination even though it's the same as a 22 yr old acting like a 12 yr old. Don't discriminate age, everyone is at a different point in their life. I'm only 18 (19 in 2 weeks) and have been through things that people never have to go through, don't judge off of age. I'm a college student, health care career job, cancer survivor that lives on her own. Everyone has different experiences in life, understand that.
  • karireyn
    karireyn Posts: 8 Member
    I find drinking a ton of water throughout the day helps keep me full so I don't feel the need to snack late at night. I usually drink 12-14 cups a day or 112 oz. Also make sure your dinner is packed with protein so that it stays fuller. And then, like others have said-just stop buying those snacks. We have a few things here and there, but I know my self-control is low when it comes to treats so I just keep them out of the house. It keeps me on track and helps my husband eat healthier-even if he doesn't know it :) Good luck!
  • emitinpink
    emitinpink Posts: 9 Member
    Yes.

    Get some self control.
    That's kind of useless advice, don't ya think?
  • emitinpink
    emitinpink Posts: 9 Member
    Yes.

    Get some self control.

    ^^ this.. put on your grown-up pants and "just do it"
    If we could all "just do it" this website wouldn't exist...
  • nelinelineli
    nelinelineli Posts: 330 Member
    1. Replace your snacks. I go for roasted almonds, wasabi beans, dark chocolate (individually wrapped squares), whole-wheat sesame crackers. All these are about 30-50 calories each.
    2. If you eat so many calories, then treat it like another meal and redistribute calories accordingly (shave off 50-100 of the other meals)
    3. This may be somewhat controversial but it worked very well for me. When I snack over my limit at night I just log it for the next morning breakfast. This for some might have side-effects as it would limit their intake for the following day and get them severely frustrated. But in my case, it just held me "accountable". Now when I want to snack I automatically think of just how hungry I'll be the next day when I'll have no food for breakfast, and that stops me. Depends on the person, but it's worth a try.
  • RaggedyPond
    RaggedyPond Posts: 1,487 Member
    Save extra calories for the late night snacking. Night time is my favorite time to eat.