Evening Eating

FaunalFantasy

My body wants to eat at night! I am sure I have trained this desire into it; but regardless, I am much more hungry between the hours of five and ten than any other time of the day. I have noticed over the passed two years that this evening eating is what is causing me to gain weight. If I am going to go over calorie, it is going to be in the evening. During the day I am in a hurry and not even remotely hungry. I will eat regularly if I make myself, only because I want to keep my metabolism up, and not because I am hungry. But then 5pm roles around, and I am famished! All I can think about is getting my glass of wine, cooking a meal, and then sitting down in front of the TV while slowly savoring my meal. After that, I want another glass of wine and another serving, and then, desert. I really value the time I spend cooking and eating dinner. It is what I look forward to, and I don't see myself easily giving that up (I can look back at the past and see that it has been a constant battle).

Also, I know you are not supposed to eat in front of the TV, but I am a really slow eater--it can take me a good 3 hours to cook and eat what I described above. And I know that you are not supposed to eat that much in the evenings because you can't metabolizing as well while your are sleeping, but it eating between 5 and 8pm really that bad if I stop by 8?

Looking back through my logs, I consume between 800 and 1000kcals for dinner, which almost always will break a 1200/day diet (depending on exercise). Would it be horrendously bad for myself if I cut my breakfast, lunch, and snacks down to 200 to 400kcals a day? Maybe I could plan my day around what I would like to eat that evening? Honestly, that is what I really want to do, but maybe it would be better to start starving myself in the evening so I will be more hungry during the day; however, given how much I enjoy my food and movie time, I don't see it being an easy battle.

jdhoward_101

I find that i want to more at night, but that is mainly because i am so busy during the day that food is the last thing on my mind; when i'm stuck inside a tiny studio flat with just my boyfriend for company, eating becomes an habitual past time. Because of this, i always plan exactly what i'm going to eat throughout the day so i can leave a decent size calorie allowance for the evenings. I personally believe that if i'm going to eat a big meal, it should be by 8 at the latest, but a couple of little snacks after 8pm won't break the bank. Just be aware that yes, your body will store this overnight and the scales won't be so lenient with you in the morning!

One idea is cooking your normal portion sizes, but only putting half of it actually on your plate to being with. Eating slowly is actually good for you, as you feel fuller quicker, so this may help, and then what you don't eat you can either freeze and reheat the next day, or even eat later if you feel famished.

You could maybe try adding something to your wine, such as diet lemonade if it's white you drink, so you consume less actual wine and less calories.

Try to go for a healthier option at desert...even if it's just a low-fat version of your favourite chocolate ice-cream!


You don't have to take me up on these suggestions, they're just off the top of my head! But most importantly, remember that losing wight isn't easy and you're not going to change your entire lifestyle over night. It might be better in the long run to take baby steps and ease yourself into it slowly, lots of little, regular changes, rather than one massive one. Good luck!

TavistockToad

There is nothing wrong with eating the majority of your cals at night if it works for you.

When you eat doesn't cause weight gain, eating over your maintenance causes weight gain. Though I would say try and reduce te wine consumption to 1-2 nights a week to save some cals!

xjckemx

You could be me. Not really hungry all day. Like to sit andenjoy my dinner watching tv with glass wine. Thing is then I normally want to keep picking!!! Although I don't worry if I don't eat breakfast normally 2 coffees will suffice. If I'm lucky I may have a small lunch , then lots cals left 4 dinner!!

Beeps2011

there is an "LNS-fighters" group here at mfp....we try and support each other in reducing "late-night snacking".

Also, if you aren't hungry during the day, DON'T EAT! Perhaps, as you've suggested, your natural "hunger time" is 5 - 10 pm, so if you budget all of your alotted calories (which, I'm presuming, are deficit calories...) ONLY for the 5 - 10 pm hour, the fat will start to come off your body.

FaunalFantasy

Thanks everyone. I have been cutting back on the wine, eating a lot at night, and still making my slow and steady weight loss goal. Thanks!