How do you curb those evening/night cravings?

allyjoy83

I suffered. I don't know exactly when I started snacking in the middle of the night -- my schedule has never been too structured, and I suffer from insomnia off and on. Any who, late night snacking was a huge problem for me, and when I decided to stay away from late night eating, I had a rather difficult time, but allowed my stomach to growl at me like a rabid dog. Water only. I had crazy food dreams when I would go to sleep. Now, not an issue, and it didn't take very long for my body to realize that after I had my last meal, it didn't need the late night snack, it just thought it did because that's what I had been doing for however long.

Now, the goal is to not eat after 7p. Today, I made it before 8p (I was working until 7). Brushing my teeth did help immensely, but going to sleep was no good for me because I would just wake up, go to the fridge, find a snack, and go back to sleep. Sooooo not good. Ignoring the hunger pangs, and suffering through seemed to be the best bet, and no more hunger pangs.

Good luck on the curbing your late night appetite!

Bssh

I either budget for cravings when I pre-log my food diary or I have a mug of low cal hot chocolate (38 cals) which seems to satisfy.

thebigcb

Brush your teeth

Crew some gum

breezedm

I floss my teeth for 15 minutes, brush my teeth thoroughly, and use fluoride mouth wash (cant eat for 30 minutes after using it). Also on days I meet my goals I have a yearly calender that I put a sticker or gold star on it and I can't put it on until the next morning. Both of those seem to work for me.

darrensurrey

I would just budget in the calories and eat a sweet evening/late night snack.

Agreed. Or in internet parlance... "^^^^^^^^^^^^^ THIS".

I tend to eat more later on in the day. You know that "Eat breakfast like a king, eat lunch like a prince and eat dinner like a pauper" phrase? I find turning it on its head is completely fine for weight loss. Which makes you think... what other old wive's tales about weight loss that you know are nonsense?

So I tend to eat about 50-60% of my daily allowance before 6pm and the rest after. I also train in the evenings on work days.

Mind you, going to bed hungry isn't a terrible thing... hunger is just a feeling. (Caveat: does not apply if you're living in Sudan and haven't eaten for 3 weeks.)

PrinnyBomb

I budget for them. I try and save 200 calories for the evening just in case I have to have something!

Winter_ELF

I fall for the late night cravings too but reading every1 elses ideas it has got me thinking in trying some - like drinking water and cleaning my teeth again because I know I hate eating anything after I brush my teeth - an apple doesn't even taste good after that lol..I usually hit the sack around 11pm or later as I get busy on the net or reading - as it is some me time after my 2 year old finally goes to bed...I keep seeing the word 'Crystal Light' what is it? and what does it taste like? as I never heard of it and am wondering it is because I'm from Australia and we don't get it over here - cause I have to admit I don't drink as much water as I should because sometimes I crave something that has sugar or caffine in it like Coke Zero or a Rush Ice Latte Milk.

Winter_ELF

.. on days I meet my goals I have a yearly calender that I put a sticker or gold star on it and I can't put it on until the next morning.

I like this idea breezedm

vwkauffman

I really like eating frozen grapes at night in the summer time. They're sweet and slushy and take awhile to eat because theyre so cold. The main reason I gained weight was the cookies or ice cream (or both) after my daughter went to sleep, when I was finally able to relax. Now I still relax, but now with 1/2 cup or 1 cup of frozen red grapes!

Winter_ELF

I really like eating frozen grapes at night in the summer time.

This is a good idea too - I gotta try it

They really need a 'like' button under each person's comment so u can indicate to them that u agree/like there idea

hunter624

After my evening meal I have a pint of iced water with a teaspoon of cider vinegar stirred in, cons the system into thinking its satisfied, an old chinese recipe, I think.:drinker:

gmichaelguy

My best defense against sweet cravings has been the elimination of all (even artificially) sugary sweet foods completely--including diet soda. I've switched any products that have added sugar (and artificial sweeteners) to ones without and worked on increasing protein and fiber. I do eat fruit with natural sweetness, but as much as I like strawberries I never feel like I'll die without them. But when I ate more (even artificially) sweet foods, I did have more issues. And I drink my coffee black (always have) so I don't start the day with sugar either. Fruit is my only sugar.

Btmartin54

Every once in a while if the craving is bad, I will have a Crystal Light packet in my water. I normally drink water only, so CL tastes pretty sweet to me.

I do the same...it really does help satisfy my sweet tooth. If I really want it, I'll include it in my daily calorie count. I'll ever be able to have a diet that didn't include something sweet.

Winter_ELF

Can someone please tell me what Crystal Light is? What does it taste like. I haven't actually heard of it here in Oz

arianamari3

I know that if I stay up late, I will be hungry. I eat my last meal at 7:30 or 8 and go to bed no later than 9:30. That way I have a proper meal still in me and my tummy doesn't grumble

4Elyse2012

Crystal Light is a powdered drink mix (also comes premade, I think) that is zero calorie or low calorie, I can't remember. Made with artificial sweeteners. I personally don't like the taste, just b/c it tastes artificial to me; however, I know lots of people that love it. It comes in a lot of fruity flavors.

All of these suggestions have given me some ideas to try on my own, thanks everyone! I didn't mention that I have a really mixed up schedule (work nights 8p-8a) 3x/week, and my young daughter has a late bedtime right now and I often go to bed when she does. It makes things challenging, but we're figuring it out! I can't even remember the last time I went to bed at 9 or 9:30pm! Sounds fabulous.....

alleycat88

Yes. And I have budgeted for the calories and usually eat some greek yoghurt with strawberries or raspberries.

about 140cal snack.

LindseySprake

Herbal Teas or Low fat Hot Chocolate sorts out my cravings.
That reminds me - must buy more Hot Chocolate

shivles

Greek yoghurt with honey/conserve or a couple of squares of dark chocolate. Add a hot drink and you got your sweet fix and stomach thinks it's full

Gwoman2012

I budget in a bowl of sweet cereal right before bed. It's currently Coco Puffs, which is crap, but as long as I keep it to a cup it is WAY less then my cookie/candy binge I used to have every night.

LorinaLynn

I would just budget in the calories and eat a sweet evening/late night snack.

That's what I do. I have a glass of chocolate milk at bedtime most nights. About 150 calories and delicious.

hosegirl

I have Carnation Instant Breakfast-chocolate made with 8 oz of milk. Solves the cravings and gives me a little protein before I go to bed. SOmetimes jsut a cup of hot coco will do it too.

Chi420

I"ll usually just eat something light like maybe some fruit or something or milk too

Athijade

I budget for an apple with peanut butter every night.

zasae

Lots and lots of glasses of water

MurphysLawTD

Hot Water, my body thinks it got soup.

Interesting thing I learned about water: hot to fill you, cold to hydrate.

tonylea186

I agree with chewing gum, definitely helps curb my cravings Here is a good article that lists 7 tips on how to avoid evening indulging: http://www.sdhealthyliving.com/7-tips-to-help-you-tame-those-evening-cravings

ab_1203

Not everyones cup of tea but Coke Zero kills the cravings for me. Im ridiculously addicted!

rainbow198

I trained myself. After dinner I brushed my teeth and told myself the kitchen was closed. After a couple of weeks I got used to it and my night cravings went away.