Nightime eating, is there a solution?

SabrinaLily

Oh, I also love to eat pickles as a snack. A spear is only 5 calories and Claussen's (they're in the refrigerated aisle and heavy on the garlic) are my favorite. Also A&W has a diet vanilla cream soda. YUM! It's like sucking down a rootbeer float.

999tigger

Pickles are great.


Make sure its not thirst and you needing water instead of food.
I kind of have exercise calories to fall back on if I must eat, but yes its later on that i start to nobble food. I get good value out of an apple as well.

alyssareyans

I eat either air popped popcorn or sweet freedom ice cream. Normally I buy these bars http://caloriecount.about.com/calories-blue-bunny-sweet-freedom-fudge-i86042

They're 70 calories but the serving size is 2 bars. I don't eat back my exercise calories during the day. I save them for night time snacking.

socalkay

I know i'm probably not really hungry but my brain is telling me if you just eat this peanut butter and jelly sandwich you will feel better or several oreos and chips will satisfy that craving, shut up that "need" inside me.

If I really want something at night, I've made a deal with myself. I can have one of the following: stick of mozzarella cheese; one square of dark of dark chocolate (or lately it was 1 or 2 dark chocolate truffles); teaspoon of peanut butter and a few raisins.

Just a little bit is it, just enough for satisfaction. Then I just have to grit my teeth and practice self-discipline (ugh). Actually, the longer I've sustained this, the less I have to grit my teeth.

stacyjh1979

I do most of my eating during the day. Once I get home anywhere from 6:30-8pm I don't really feel like eating much. I will sometimes have a sweets craving and my two favorites are Special K chocolatey pretzel cereal bars or one cinnamon toast eggo waffle which are 90cal and 100cal. That satisfies my craving (which I know in my case is NOT usually hunger). As others have said though just try to save some calories during the day so you can have the later snack if that's when you tend to want it

eomuno215in541

Plan it into your day just like any other meal or snack. Meal timing is largely irrelevant if that is what you're worried about. I always plan in a late night snack...because I enjoy them...just have to plan for the...EZPZ

Yes! Budget it into goal. I do. Did. Lately I close at 9 but stay up late so I won't wake up and eat.

A_Dabauer

As may posters have said, it's acceptable to save some calories for your night time snack. If you are wanting to quit the habit because it's a trigger to binge or what ever other reason you may have, that's up to you, these are things I've found helpful:

1. Eat more during the day, (seems odd right? but I found if my cals were too low during the day my body is actually hungry and will prompt me to eat everything insight regardless of every ounce of willpower I have)

2. Take time to think about what you're doing before you eat, ask yourself why you are eating. Be present in the moment. If we are eating for emotion reasons (yep we all have those triggers) this will help you address them. I found by simply realizing why I'm eating it helps stop the behavior. Are you more likely to have these moments when you've had a stressful day? Or when it's cold outside, or when you're bored. This won't cure the issue overnight, and you may not have an answer the first 50 times you ask yourself, why am I eating now. But eventually you will see the pattern and be able to address those emotions in a healthier more constructive manner. If we simply deflect those emotions you may be successful short term but long term may be more of a challenge.

Good luck!

Memowe

I usually plan for two late night snacks, one sweet and a salad or vegetable. I have to choose sweets that I know I can control myself with though, I'm the type of person that would eat a whole container of cookies if given the option. So at the store I always get one reward snack for after shopping, and then I don't choose any snacks I would over eat. I usually choose to go with icecream that has it's own individual packages.

VitoFoSho

The time you stop eating at night does not matter. If you want to eat at 11:30pm, go for it.......just save calories for the late night snacking that you like to do, and you'll be fine. Calories in vs. calories out determines weight loss or weight gain.

girlviernes

I think you may not have enough daily calories, I think what I would first try is adding 150-200 kcals to your daily amount without taking away from elsewhere. I say this because problems with nighttime eating often come from not getting enough food earlier in the day.

For myself, I have a pretty substantial breakfast and lunch and also 1-2 snacks during the day. I have an early dinner and most of the time don't eat afterwards (will have a snack if particularly hungry, but usually just have tea or tea with coconut milk). I try to keep my eating within 12 hour window based on some rat research (which obviously may or may not be relevant to humans, but I think it works well for me).

KMMRN

I start my 24 hour calorie count at 8 p.m......then based on what I have before bed I plan my next day's meals and snacks....like you I am stronger willed during the daylight hours.