Night Time Snacking - How Do I Break the Habit?

FoundxFocus

After looking at my food journals, I realize that the time in which I eat the most unhealthy food is late at night. How can I break this habit, or if not what kind of things can I try and eat? I always just grab the easiest thing to eat, which usually means chips or other junk food. Help?

sarahharmintx

If it fits into your calories, it really doesnt matter. Is an apple better than a 100 calorie pack or 1/2 cup of ice cream, well yes. But snacking late isnt going to kill all progress. Notice I said snacking late. I would not advise you to eat a full 500+ calorie meal then go straight to bed. That can affect your sleep and digestion.

GanjaBall

I drink a lot of water and decaf tea. Doing a short yoga session when the urge to eat hits helps too, brings me back to mindful behavior.

cmeiron

I have little self-control when it comes to junk food, so I simply don't buy it. If it's not in the house, I can't snack on it, and usually after wandering around the kitchen and looking in cabinets for a while and only finding healthy stuff the cravings tend to dissipate.

canadiandee

I save the majority of my calories for later in the day. Then, beginning around 5, I space out my remaining calories. A light dinner, an apple, a piece of cheese, some frozen mango, some sushi ... I just have healthy stuff lined up and as soon as I feel a little hungry, I nab one of my preferred snacks and I'm usually able to make it to the end of the evening.

My husband is the exact opposite of me. He has the bulk of his calories early in the day and that helps him keep his eating in check for the rest of the day.

TheRealPDouble

Hook the fridge and pantry with an alarm system that will go off when you open them in the middle of the night.

EmilyOfTheSun

There's nothing wrong with snacking at night. If it fits into your calorie goal and you're hitting your macros numbers, then eat it.

CherokeeBabe

Snack on healthier things. Veggies and fruits are much lower in cals than chips, etc. Start there, then see if you can find ways to change the snack urge itself.

EatClean_WashUrNuts

Simple...you take action on the choice.

melinda200208

I am in the same boat as you. I have been trying to change this bad habit. That is actually my biggest downfall. I used to buy a big bag of dill pickle chips and eat them all within two nights. Now, I cut up a bananna and strawberries and drizzle some honey on them, or I make popcorn on the stove. I also try to eat maybe a few crackers.

CynthiaCollin

I am having the same issue right now. Night time is the worst. I can go all day, eat the right amount of calories and make good choices.... but night time rolls around and I just can`t help myself....out comes the chips and chocolate. During my 50lb weight loss I still ate those food....but mesured them out.... I think I just need to get back to basics...

I am going to keep chips and chocolate out of the house...if I am hungry find a healthier alternative.

Anthonydaman

Get the junk food out of your house, and go to bed early. I had the same problem and this is how I fixed it.

hdsqrl

If you don't buy it, you can't snack on it, right? A hot drink like tea or some of that international foods instant stuff is usually enough to distract me when the late-night munchies hit. Try those?

OddChoices

Oikos fat free frozen yogurt. Great late night snack. Lots of protein. Sometimes I have soy milk or wheat thins or protein powder with Greek yogurt. Don't have to break the habit. Just feed it right.

pixiee88

I have little self-control when it comes to junk food, so I simply don't buy it. If it's not in the house, I can't snack on it, and usually after wandering around the kitchen and looking in cabinets for a while and only finding healthy stuff the cravings tend to dissipate.

This works for me too! I've lost count the number of times I've searched the kitchen trying to find something "naughty" to snack on...but obviously finding nothing because I haven't bought it so opting for something a little more healthy and nutritious or nothing at all. I like to tell myself the desperate raid of the kitchen burns a few extra calories too haha.

amwoodruff

Hot herbal tea works for me, most nights. Peppermint is my go-to, since I think it tastes ok without adding sugar or cream. Vanilla Rooibos is another one I do.

RonnieLodge

I have little self-control when it comes to junk food, so I simply don't buy it. If it's not in the house, I can't snack on it, and usually after wandering around the kitchen and looking in cabinets for a while and only finding healthy stuff the cravings tend to dissipate.

^This^

If it ain't there, I can't eat it.
Also, having carrot batons ready to munch on as they are sweet and crunchy.
If all else fails, have a bath and go to bed!

kmmpink

Try painting your nails every time you get the urge to snack at night if you have already eaten all of your calories for the day. You surely will not want to mess up your nails digging into a chip bag! And you should feel a little better after your nails are always pretty and people compliment them! Good luck!

mistyladidah

No advice on breaking the habit... I eat most of my calories from 4 til 12. I don't know if it would work for you, but if you have the app, you can try this.

I plan my day roughly, leaving room for things. I know I personally aim for a ton of protein, so I usually start with that, adding carbs and fats that go with them. Then I look at my pie chart for the day, and see what areas I need more of, and about how much. Then I pick a snack that gives me some of that. I go back and check my chart again, and repeat until my calories are used, trying to keep my percentages close to where they should be. Them I alter portion sizes until the percentages are right.

It takes some fiddling, but for me it's like a game all day, seeing if I can make my pie chart happy. Once I know my plan for the day, I can move stuff around and either eat the naughty stuff early or save it for before bed. If I have a late workout, dessert has gotten me through it.

bodicegoddess

Kellogg's Special K Cinnamon Pecan is what I've been going with as a late night snack replacement. It's delicious, sweet, and tastes a little bit like pie.
We've also been stashing the junk foods in hard-to-reach or pain-in-the-butt cabinets so we don't go after them at my house.

Tatonka_usn

I've always had a problem with late night "grazing" as well. Having kids, there always seems to be a plethora of junk food around the pantry, and over time I'd hear it calling my name (even if I wasn't really hungry). Starting on the site, and utilizing the food journal, has really helped provided a tangible reminder of how much room I have to "cheat" on a given night. I've also made a concerted effort to keep "good" snacks around, to include a 2lb bag of baby carrots, miscellaneous fruit (I prefer grapes or bananas), and (most recently) have discovered Pop Light has a reduced butter popcorn which is only 20 calories per 1 cup serving. At 3 cups, I"m pretty much stuffed, and it's only 60 calories (popped). Soooo, there you have a couple options, but I certainly wish you luck!!!

FoundxFocus

I believe that getting junk food out of the house would be wonderful, but sadly isn't an option because I'm not the only person that lives in my house. I do however, like the idea of eating less calories during the day to calculate for what I will end up eating later. I'll definitely be giving that a try. :happy:

KenosFeoh

I don't know. On the few occasions when I have been tempted to eat late at night, I simply didn't.

Now if only I could break my late afternoon snacking habit!

FoundxFocus

Try painting your nails every time you get the urge to snack at night if you have already eaten all of your calories for the day. You surely will not want to mess up your nails digging into a chip bag! And you should feel a little better after your nails are always pretty and people compliment them! Good luck!

This is an awesome idea! I'm definitely going to be trying this out. And plus, my nails could use some color

Lexieberry

I have little self-control when it comes to junk food, so I simply don't buy it. If it's not in the house, I can't snack on it, and usually after wandering around the kitchen and looking in cabinets for a while and only finding healthy stuff the cravings tend to dissipate.

This is me...I just don't buy cookies and junk food. I choose to have a bowl of cereal at night if I'm craving sweets.

dford5

Brush your teeth or chew gum.

kbell1121

personally, I had this problem. So I made a 21 day countdown and posted it on my pantry. And every night I would cross a day off if I didn't eat junk at night. It takes 21 days for anything to become habit.

kobiemom

I can tell you what works for me. I make myself eat breakfast, even though I don't want to. I'm not hungry in the morning, but if I skip it, I'm uncontrollably hungry at night. It's like my body calls for that meal at the wrong time.

meredith1123

Dont buy it, and it wont be in your house!

sa11yjane

How about brushing your teeth as it sends a signal to your brain that the day is over? Maybe lock your kitchen door as a reminder that the kitchen is shut?

jenniferrusso7393

Im in that boat too-- I dont live alone, so the junk food is there I eat carrot chips for a healthy sweet snack, and popcorn for a more salty snack (I crave them both)... the only other thing to do is measure them out, or once,I hid themin my kids room-- out of sight, out of mind...