Evening Snacker!

MegRuthie

I work from 1-9:30pm every night. I do really well with my eating all through the day and don't really ever feel too hungry. But when I get home in the evening a hunger strikes me like nothing else! I try to just have a glass of water and go to bed. I know its bad to eat this late at night. But lately I've been waking up in the middle of the night and I'm just starving! How do I help with this awful late night snacking temptation??

Danahimself

Hey there,

I too had this same issue and still do at times. Try basic cheerios or a rice cake. Just enough to satisfy your hunger and at the same time is super low in calories. Even just lettuce!

aquasw16

I wish i had a good answer for you. It happens to me a lot. I think the best thing is to have water (or tea) and just go to bed. I think sometimes it is our mind playing tricks on us....if you are getting REAL hunger though I would opt for something without much sugar or heavy carbs....carrots, celery, maybe even watermelon

sarahsmom1

It makes no difference what time you eat. There is no cut off time calories are calories whether you eat them in the morning or night. You just have a different schedule I have my last snack about 10 pm. it just keeps you metabolism going

mystiedragonfly

Most of the people who make the "don't eat after...." work a 9 to 5 job and get to have dinner with the family at 7pm.

The rest of the people in the real world actually have to make their own rules depending on what works for their body.

Which do you think is harder on your body? Eating a small meal when you get home or waking up starving? One of the things that helps us lose weight is to cut down stress. Going to bed hungry adds stress to the body.

Some suggestions I would say is to take something to eat on your last break at work. If you don't have that option, on your day off, make a large pot of some kind of soup or stew where YOU are in charge of what goes into it. When cooked, divide it into at least 7 containers and put it into the fridge. Then, when you come home, take a container, warm it up, enjoy. That way you have something to eat already ready after a long work shift. If you don't want to do that, keep baby carrots on hand in the fridge or something like it and have a handful when you get home.

jbucci1186

from my experience, it doesn't matter how late/what time you eat, though I think what matters more is what you're eating at those times. I eat a snack every night between 10 and 11pm (sometimes later) and I've been doing that since I before started trying to losing weight (so about a year/my whole life). I noticed though, that if I was consistently eating a lot of carbs (i had a cream of wheat kick for a while), my weight loss would slow down, but it i switched to more protein (honestly it was sugar free pudding haha) i would start losing like i was before. i don't know why that it is or anything, but that's how it is for me. i think it's more about calories in vs. calories out per day.

also, if you're trying not to eat, you could try ice water/tea/even diet pop or maybe a couple baby carrots, or chew sugar free gum. Oscar mayer makes pretty low calorie lunch meat that i think is pretty good. obviously water and tea are better options, but whatever satisfies you, right?

hope that helps!

Sydney128

Hi,
I often have the same problem, especially if I haven't had enough protein for the day. Like you, I drink water before going to bed in an attempt to quell my hunger, but I've recently added a half serving of a low calorie lunch meat, like turkey. It's low in carbs, doesn't give me a sugar rush, and the protein keeps me from feeling like I'm starving. It also keeps me from waking up hungry at 4:00 in the morning.

MegRuthie

The low cal turkey meat is an excellent idea. I forgot I had some in the fridge! Thanks for reminding me, ya'll Oscar Meyer Deli Fresh Turkey. Yumm Thanks for all the input. It was always just drilled into my head not to eat late. Apparently my body needs me to! I'll just make sure to stay away from the sweets. I really wish my stepmother would stop buying oreos....

RoanneRed

I've read that low GI carbohydrates can help with sleep quality so will sometimes have a VERY small bowl (I often use a teacup instead of a bowl) of natural muesli - made with whole rolled oats - and low fat milk/soy milk. It's currently winter here so I will sometimes warm it up in the microwave without bothering to make it into porridge. The sustained energy release may help you avoid waking hungry through the night.