Going to bed hungry

2

Replies

  • Crystal_Pistol
    Crystal_Pistol Posts: 750 Member
    Whenever I am hungry, I eat something. To hell with calories- I can make that up later. I have actually woke up in the middle of the night (sometimes like 2am), felt hungry, and eaten rice cakes and almond butter. When I had a 12am to 4am diary category, all kinds of strange things appeared there.

    In summary- I'm not doing anything hungry, definitely not trying to sleep with a rumbling stomach.

    Lol so what day did you post your middle of the night snacks to? The day prior or the next day? Technically it would be the next day, but I'm just curious...

    Next day- I end the "day" at midnight. "On paper" only though. I actually see this whole thing as a fluid time span and work and trending towards even.
  • lovelylovebug
    lovelylovebug Posts: 27 Member
    Going to bed hungry for me is a reminder of my victory and strength over food for the day. I'm not famished at bedtime, but I do get some stomach grumbles and feel hungry. I go to bed most days feeling totally strong and empowered that I am in control of my eating decisions and that food no longer controls or dictates itself to me. Sounds lame I'm sure, but I love it!

    I completely agree. I feel good when I'm hungry sometimes because I *haven't* binged or eaten poorly. And when I'm hungry a few hours after a meal I feel good because I know that I didn't eat too much and my metabolism is in high gear.
  • Crystal_Pistol
    Crystal_Pistol Posts: 750 Member
    Going to bed hungry for me is a reminder of my victory and strength over food for the day. I'm not famished at bedtime, but I do get some stomach grumbles and feel hungry. I go to bed most days feeling totally strong and empowered that I am in control of my eating decisions and that food no longer controls or dictates itself to me. Sounds lame I'm sure, but I love it!

    Whoa. That is really serious. I feel like I control food all the time. It wasn't always that way; I used to binge and hide it, but the greatest victory to me is that I am in control in general, whether I eat or not. I don't down a package of Oreos (though I occasionally do damage to gingersnaps), but I eat when I feel hungry. I don't see food as a foe.
  • It's better to have a small snack than to be hungry. The best thing to do if you need something before bed is to mix up a small protein shake. You metabolize that very quickly rather than something heavy that your body won't be able to burn while you rest.
  • ruby_red_rose
    ruby_red_rose Posts: 321 Member
    I usually never go to bed hungry. But that's because my meals are a little unbalanced. I eat about 700 calories in breakfast, lunch and snacks, and another 700 calories at dinner. That is enough to keep me happy until bed time.
  • I have had that same feeling too. Especially now since I have been eating more frequently along with working out. I guess it is just my metabolism boosting. To help I try and just drink something or do something to take my mind off of the feeling.

    When do you eat dinner and when do you go to sleep? I changed my diet so that I eat dinner before 7--normally around 6--because my hubby and I tend to go to bed around 10ish. That way, around 8ish, when we are sitting around watching tv, I can have some celery or a little popcorn and not feel so bad about snacking.
  • Kimi0371
    Kimi0371 Posts: 19 Member
    I like going to bed a bit hungry. I seem to sleep better and oddly enough I'm not as hungry in the morning as when I go to bed full. If I think I'm seriously hungry I try a large glass of water, and if I'm still seriously hungry then I eat (love the grapefruit idea, it's light and takes a while to eat too!). But I've learned that just a bit empty is good.
  • CMmrsfloyd
    CMmrsfloyd Posts: 2,380 Member
    I refuse to go to bed hungry. Every single day, I plan evening snacks so that they will fit into my calories. Might be yogurt, dry cereal (love a sweet crunchy snack), popcorn, fruit, hot chocolate, graham crackers, an ice cream bar. Usually I have 3 or 4 small snacks between dinner and bedtime. Since I plan it into my calories for the day, it's not a problem and I have continued to lose weight steadily the entire time I've been working at this. The timing of when you eat is not important except as it relates to your personal preferences. Calories after 8 pm count exactly the same as calories before 7. There is no difference if you are budgeting them into your daily goal and being accurate about how you log them. Your body is burning calories throughout the day and night, it does not stop when you go to bed.

    I feel good when I'm NOT hungry b/c that means I've made choices throughout the day such that I can enjoy myself and be satisfied all while staying within my goal.
  • bdur76
    bdur76 Posts: 155 Member
    I agree that it sounds a little crazy, but I got to be 360 lbs by allowing food, cravings, and lack of willpower own me. I've lost the weight by taking control of my eating habits, and subtle reminders like a tummy grumble, make me feel fully in control. If I want to have an apple or a small snack, I will,

    I also do intermittent fasting where I consume all my daily calories between 11 am and 7 pm, then fast till the next day at 11. The whole key is finding what works for you and what is sustainable. I see no reason why I can't continue to eat like this forever, and I know you are wondering, if I am really hungry in the morning, I will have my coffee with skim milk, and if I'm still hungry, then I eat, but it is my decision. Willpower and control over my eating decisions have changed my life!
  • emilytgs24
    emilytgs24 Posts: 90 Member
    This is funny because I was just thinking about this subject the other day...When I was in weight loss mode I got really used to going to be a little hungry. Not starving-if I was ever like that then I did go eat some thing little and portioned-taking into account that maybe miscalculated my calories in/out for the day. I started calling this little bit of hungry an empty stomach and started almost freaking out (that's dramatic) if I didn't feel that when I was going to bed. I didn't really think about this much until a year later when I read a book called "Lost and Found" by Jacqueline Sheehan. One of the characters in the book was anorexic and it talked about how she RELISHED that STARVING feeling. She would eat less and less to feel more of it. It was nuts. Then I freaked out a little-was I doing the same thing? Do I have the same tendencies? Obviously the girl depicted in the book was not eating healthy at all-they stated that she was eating 500 calories a day and only a few select foods. But still-it made me think! That and I like food too much to be anorexic...

    So I decided these were the rules for me:

    1. if you are absolutely starving-eat something-you're body is trying to tell you something! And maybe it's just that you are trying to go to fast in your weight loss. Maybe your dinner wasn't really 700 calories...Readjust your calorie settings maybe-if it's happening all of the time.
    2. Are you really hungry or just "snacky?" I've been ready The Beck Diet Solution which talks about cognitive aspects of dieting. You had better know the difference before you go looking for food.
    3. If in fact you are hungry that doesn't give you the go ahead to eat anything you want! It should be healthy and portioned!

    I can't say that I've stuck to this always, but I usually do!
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,321 Member
    I make sure I have calories so I can eat before bed. I cannot sleep if I am hungry. My cut off time for eating it when I run out of calories.
  • stevenleagle
    stevenleagle Posts: 293 Member
    Try having more protein during the day. If I don't get enough I too get hungry
  • brookepenni
    brookepenni Posts: 787 Member
    I agree with Steven... If you are having good nutritious food - you shouldnt be hungry (well not after the first few initial days of shock to the body anyway!).

    I eat 1200 calories and seem to be eating all day. I never go to bed hungry!
  • I agree that it sounds a little crazy, but I got to be 360 lbs by allowing food, cravings, and lack of willpower own me. I've lost the weight by taking control of my eating habits, and subtle reminders like a tummy grumble, make me feel fully in control. If I want to have an apple or a small snack, I will,

    I also do intermittent fasting where I consume all my daily calories between 11 am and 7 pm, then fast till the next day at 11. The whole key is finding what works for you and what is sustainable. I see no reason why I can't continue to eat like this forever, and I know you are wondering, if I am really hungry in the morning, I will have my coffee with skim milk, and if I'm still hungry, then I eat, but it is my decision. Willpower and control over my eating decisions have changed my life!


    You are truly an inspirational person. You have lost an amazing amount of weight and you should be proud of yourself. How have you kept yourself motivated to do it though? Im trying to lose 12kg (26 pounds), I have really good weeks where I will keep to it then I go downhill from there, I just don't feel like doing it but at the same time I want to. Does that make any sense to anyone?
  • suzcain
    suzcain Posts: 22 Member
    I always save 50-100 calories each day for a bedtime snack because I get cranky when I go to bed hungry - and I like to eat a little something while I'm reading before going to sleep. I do not claim to be the super healthiest eater - tonight's snack is Jujyfruit candy. But I've lost 55lbs total so far, so it seems to work for me. :smile:
  • I have spent my entire life by having a "snack" before bed. So...when I enter breakfast into MFP every morning I also enter 2 fat free devil's cookies and 8 oz of skim milk. This is my bedtime snack every night. Entering it first thing in the morning helps me to stay on task during the day. I do the same thing when I know I will have a couple alcoholic beverages on a Saturday night. This allows me to enjoy without cheating on my plan. I have lost 37 lbs so far and have honestly not felt at all cheated. I truly feel that I have begun what really works for weight loss and maintenance...behavior modification!!! Good luck to all!
  • russellma
    russellma Posts: 284 Member
    If I'm hungry at bedtime, I grab a snack. Usually a graham cracker with peanut butter or a handful of nuts. If I have to go over to do it (which is almost never), I still wouldn't feel guilty because I think my body is telling me to eat for a good reason.
  • ellen122x
    ellen122x Posts: 7 Member
    sometimes after I get in bed I will read and cannot even concentrate on what I'm reading because I'm thinking of what can I eat that won't mess up my calorie limit but I like your posts about saving calories. Also, I think I will exercise but not add it to my calories and try to stay at 1200 instead of adding extra calories to eat just because I've walked or worked out.
  • cbirdso
    cbirdso Posts: 465 Member
    I can't stand being hungry, especially at night. I always save 100-200 calories to consume before bedtime. What has worked best for me is warmed up unsweetened soy milk with a little molasses. (protein + essential minerals and carbs). I don't know what is "BEST", but I know I can't lose weight if I go to bed hungry because it makes me feel deprived and then I obsess about food the next day, feel sorry for myself, then eat things I shouldn't.
  • sbrooks0387
    sbrooks0387 Posts: 167 Member
    i plan my meals a day ahead of time so i can maximize the best use of my cals. i try to load up dinner with veggies so i can eat alot without a lot of cals.

    from past experience you will go to bed hungry for awhile but as long as your meals are planned (i.e. not eatting just an apple for dinner cause your out of cals) it does go away after your body adjusts to the lower cal diet.
  • ShrinkRapt451
    ShrinkRapt451 Posts: 447 Member
    6 very small meals per day isn't as effective as 3 full meals at telling your brain that you're full (for most people), so there are pluses and minuses to evenly distributing your calories. I plan on 3 meals and 3 snacks, and I try to keep my carbs down so I'm not hungry an hour after eating, among other reasons. The last snack is usually less than hour before I go to sleep, unless I have a big dinner (or a late one) and am not hungry. It helps that I work out in the evenings, after dinner, so I know my calorie deficit for the day and whether I need to eat more to keep it reasonable. I get 4-6 cups of water in at night too. Being busy during the day helps me defray hunger, but when I wake up hungry, I get nauseated. So going to bed hungry, for me, is a bad idea.
  • themedalist
    themedalist Posts: 3,218 Member
    I can't sleep if I'm hungry so I work into my daily calorie allowance a 200-300 calorie bedtime snack...usually PBJ on a whole wheat english muffin. It works for me, I'm down almost 30 pounds in 6 months. But everyone is different.
  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    I agree with those that said if you're hungry before bed eat a little something. It doesn't have to be much-- some carrots or a handful of almonds or a small cup of milk. No need to be hungry every night, that sounds miserable.
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    I heard taking a casein slow absorbing protein before bed can be beneficial for this reason. I believe it takes about 7 hours to be absorbed and provided a constant stream of amino acids. This can be great if you are trying not to lose all that hard earned muscle!
  • I heard taking a casein slow absorbing protein before bed can be beneficial for this reason. I believe it takes about 7 hours to be absorbed and provided a constant stream of amino acids. This can be great if you are trying not to lose all that hard earned muscle!

    Totally agree with you. Here's a little write up about the benefits of casein, how much it helps the average fitness buff I do not know. But I definitely have it before bedtime, so do many of the heavyweights in the gym.

    Casein protein is the predominant protein found in milk. It makes up about 80% of the protein in cow’s milk, while the remaining 20% of protein in milk is whey protein. Casein protein is extracted from the milk through ultra filtration, without the use of chemicals. This process increases the amount of bioactive milk peptides that support immune function as well as enhance muscle growth.

    Casein protein has an excellent amino acid profile and is primarily known as “bed time protein” because it takes up to 7 hours to be absorbed by the body making it ideal for before bed.

    Casein protein is a slow-digesting protein because it forms a “gel” in the gut, which results in a steady release of amino acids into the blood stream over time. Research shows that when you consume casein, you will reach a peak in blood amino acids and protein synthesis up to seven hours. Whey protein, in comparison, reaches a peak in blood amino acids and protein synthesis in about 40 minutes and the total release ends in about an hour.

    Since casein protein slowly enters the blood stream, it has very little impact on protein synthesis. It has a powerful effect, however, in suppressing protein breakdown. In other words, it’s an awesome muscle-sparing protein. This makes it ideal for times of the day where you do not need protein immediately, like before bed or mid afternoon/morning. casein would not be suitable for a post-workout drink.

    Muscle growth is dependent on the balance of protein synthesis and protein breakdown. To tip the balance in your favor, you want to increase protein synthesis and decrease protein breakdown. You can achieve this by supplementing with whey protein (fast absorption/promotes protein synthesis) and casein protein (slow absorption/suppresses protein breakdown).

    To effectively take advantage of whey and casein proteins, you need to use them at the right times of the day. Casein protein is the only protein you should be taking before going to sleep. The reason is because your body needs to be sustained for six to eight hours during your sleep without food. You don’t want your hard-earned muscle being broken down in your sleep, so a protein that is slowly released over time is best. If you took whey protein before going to bed, it would do very little since whey is absorbed and used within an hour.

    There are three forms of casein protein:
    1.Calcium caseinate
    2.Micellar casein
    3.Milk protein isolate.

    Calcium caseinate is the lowest quality among the three forms and is commonly used as a food ingredient. Micellar casein and the casein in milk protein isolate are identical. While micellar casein is 100% casein, milk protein isolate has both micellar protein and whey.

    Almost all supplements you’ll find for sale in bodybuilding supplement stores are Micellar Casein. We recommend taking casein supplements before bed only. The vast majority of muscle repair is done whilst sleeping and you cannot afford to “starve” your body of protein and amino acids for that period.
  • BrendaLee
    BrendaLee Posts: 4,463 Member
    I like to have a toast with pb before bed. I just ate half an orange thinking that would suffice, and now I'm still hungry and don't have enough calories left for my toast and pb. To go over or not to go over?

    I can't sleep if I'm hungry.
  • velloxal
    velloxal Posts: 78 Member
    When you starve yourself you will start storing fat. On the other hand when you starve yourself a bit your stomach will shrink. The golden formula should be in the middle.

    When I am hungry I tried to eat fruits or yoghurt at night, but there are days when I can't leave alone one toast with whatever I feel like. I am still not sure what trigger my hunger swings. Most likely my body cry for more nutrients.

    Usually I am in my daily calories but there are days when I go over. I am still learning calories and each week I discover some calories "BOMB". If you’re a big eater drink 1 glass of water before each meal, this will feel your stomach a bit and reduce your portion.
  • I hate lying in bed with my stomach rumbling its the worst feeling when you feel empty and you've been eating all day. I normally have dinner between 6-7 and still get the feeling around 9-10 so I normally have an options hot chocolate and it goes away. Drinking a pint of water makes me pee all night too and doesnt stop me feeling hungry
  • lougru
    lougru Posts: 55
    go to bed hungry, wake up ripped.
  • CMmrsfloyd
    CMmrsfloyd Posts: 2,380 Member
    go to bed hungry, wake up ripped.

    Those 2 things have nothing to do with each other. Whether you're eating your calories early in the day or right before bed does not affect weightloss, it's all about how the numbers add up in comparison to what your body is burning. And you have to exercise to get ripped.
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