How do you conquer night time cravings?

the3hords
the3hords Posts: 4 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
My biggest issue with losing weight is that I sabotage myself at night. I am really bad if no one is awake, then I will just got crazy. I eat because it is there - but living in a family of 3 with one child, there are certain foods I can't avoid buying. Any advice?
«13

Replies

  • majope
    majope Posts: 1,325 Member
    Some possibilities:

    1. Go to bed earlier so you aren't up, alone, and bored.

    2. Make sure you're eating enough. Sometimes when we're hungry, it's simply because we need more fuel. Your diary is closed so I can't see what your daily goal is, but a lot of people who come here want to lose weight as quickly as possible, so they try for 2 pounds a week and get a goal of 1200, which is too low for most. Or they have a bigger calorie goal, but they don't know they should eat back their exercise calories to net their goal. If either of those applies to you, check out In Place of a Road Map for a way to set more realistic numbers: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/937712-in-place-of-a-road-map-ver-3-0

    3. If your goal is already realistic for the amount you want to lose, perhaps you should just shift some calories around so you have more available for evening snacks. Timing of food doesn't matter, as long as eating before bed doesn't give you indigestion or acid reflux or something.

    Best of luck!
  • chelseascounter
    chelseascounter Posts: 1,283 Member
    I go to sleep earlier or think about eating my cravings the next day....
  • drefaw
    drefaw Posts: 739
    I'd try possibly shifting some cals around, like what was just mentioned. And when I get hungry late nights, I just go get a 16 oz glass of water and chug it down ...
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    This content has been removed.
  • Seajolly
    Seajolly Posts: 1,435 Member
    Make sure you are eating enough and feel satisfied, not hungry during the day, otherwise your will power will go out the window at night when the hunger sets in. Or, if it's just boredom, drink water or tea when the cravings hit! You honestly have to put mind over matter and just keep telling yourself "This isn't worth it. Eat tomorrow".
  • LifeJacketWaterJogger
    LifeJacketWaterJogger Posts: 231 Member
    this was helpful to me also,thanks
  • dakitten2
    dakitten2 Posts: 888 Member
    I log in night time snacks first thing each morning and if I worked my day around to have them, I eat them. If not, then I don't eat them because I didn't earn the right to snack.
  • lovelymrsbasham
    lovelymrsbasham Posts: 73
    It took me a few days to get used to this but, I drink water first when I crave and try not to eat after 7pm
  • turboturtlepower
    turboturtlepower Posts: 79
    Go to sleep (if the kids are asleep, obviously). Or...have a cup of green tea with some organic raw honey. It's usually what I do. I cut my eating off before 7pm most nights.

    If you look at my food diary (it's public) you'll see that most days I have a huge breakfast that leaves me very full all day long so I only have to have smaller meals the rest of the day.
  • kariannmbc
    kariannmbc Posts: 144
    When I get hungry at night, I first drink a full glass (or two) of water, then I try some hot tea, even if you add honey it's not much. If that doesn't work, I will read, or do something that both occupies my mind and my hands.

    Sometimes, if it's a really bad craving (and for something sweet), I'll have a little chocolate milk, or warm milk with molasses s.
  • Armyantzzz
    Armyantzzz Posts: 214 Member
    I use "lemonation" :tongue: I keep a bottle of homemade lemonated water on the stand... so if i get that craving for a snack...It's bottoms up!!:smile: So far it's working.... I freeze a bottle and take it out when i get home from work.... or i add ice if i forget.:blushing:
  • LiftAllThePizzas
    LiftAllThePizzas Posts: 17,857 Member
    I conquer my cravings by eating.
  • missshadowlovely
    missshadowlovely Posts: 50 Member
    I have this same problem. Usually 700-1000 calories at night :(
  • brit_lah
    brit_lah Posts: 18 Member
    When I get hungry at night, it's usually one of two things (or maybe both things):

    1) I didn't eat enough during the day.

    2) I neglected to eat enough protein and/or vegetables with my meal. If I make whole grain spaghetti with marinara sauce and eat just that, I'm going to be hungry even if I technically eat enough of it in calories or serving size... rather than if I made some loaded with veggies or some meat. It's noticeable with breakfast and lunch too, but it's worse when it's a dinner thing because it's the end of the day, and I'm tired. That's just what happens to me anyway.
  • Cheeky_0102
    Cheeky_0102 Posts: 408 Member
    night cravings are generally more a habit than hunger... I try not to eat after dinner, it just doesn't serve me well. Try to replace the habit of eating with a different habit; have a hot bath, a cup of tea, a yoga video, a walk, a came of cards; even food prep for the next day... just something that can be repetitive.
    if you really are hungry, have something healthy and easy to digest like yogurt.
  • lisasowndiet
    lisasowndiet Posts: 10 Member
    You have a lot of great suggestions here! I also am making a new habit of not eating after 8 p.m. and when I get hungry I drink hot green tea or water, mostly water. I was wondering what kinds of foods you have to have in the house for everybody else that you can't eat.
  • PonyTailedLoser
    PonyTailedLoser Posts: 315 Member
    The only thing that definitely works for me is to go bed earlier. I work 2nd shift so I am up later at night and that's when the cravings attack. Last night was bad, would have killed for a egg sandwich with cheese. Put my book down, went to bed, woke up, no egg sandwich craving.
  • kfesta52
    kfesta52 Posts: 98 Member
    If I'm just "snacky", plain air popped popcorn is a big evening go-to for me. I love it anyhow, and you can munch for a long time on a big bowl, so it gives me something to crunch on for a while, but low calories for the volume.

    And as others have mentioned, make sure you're eating enough in general.

    Oh, and if the kids are in bed, you can always use that time for some exercising instead of eating to keep you busy!! Two for one benefits there. :)
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    This content has been removed.
  • majope
    majope Posts: 1,325 Member
    Or, everyone can unplug their tv's, or throw them in the trash. I bet your life would change completely. You'd find more productive things to do instead of veg out.
    I can't do that, because Doctor Who and Game of Thrones.
  • mistesh
    mistesh Posts: 243 Member
    Eat real food! Real food, unlike processed food, doesn't leave you with witdrawal once digested. The withdrawal may feel like hunger, but hunger comes hours later or the next day. I'm never hungry when I don't eat, evenings included, and when I do eat, it's at regular social times. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you're stressed, bored or cold, have some water or tea. Go for a walk. Cravings are temporary. Figure out your triggers. You'll sleep so much better.
  • onwarddownward
    onwarddownward Posts: 1,683 Member
    Eat a can of green beans and go to sleep!
  • ekahnicole
    ekahnicole Posts: 216 Member
    Or, everyone can unplug their tv's, or throw them in the trash. I bet your life would change completely. You'd find more productive things to do instead of veg out.
    I can't do that, because Doctor Who and Game of Thrones.

    I second this!

    5655399661_f04a61230f_z.jpg

    Anyway, to answer OP's question, I agree with chugging some water, and when that doesn't do it, I have a little skim milk instead.
  • hakudoshi82
    hakudoshi82 Posts: 29
    I started taking multi-vitamins every morning at the suggestion of someone else on MFP and it helped a lot with my nighttime cravings.

    But I usually drink a glass of water and just go to bed.

    If you have a really bad time, drink a protein shake that is low in sugar and high in protein. You'll fill full but the damage is much less then eating other things. And for me, the thought of a protein shake at night isn't appealing so tend to accept if I don't want to eat that I must not be that hungry and just go to bed.
  • AmandaReimer1
    AmandaReimer1 Posts: 235 Member
    I always leave calories for a snack at night. I wouldn't survive without them! :)
  • MelStren
    MelStren Posts: 457 Member
    I munch on raw cauliflower and baby carrots... It's not perfect but it's better than chips, popcorn and cookies.
  • katy_trail
    katy_trail Posts: 1,992 Member
    stop telling yourself you're bad. fuel is fuel.
    work hard and fuel your body
  • JustME1611
    JustME1611 Posts: 112 Member
    I try to drink a big glass of water and if I'm still not satisfied I have a healthy snack like grapes or some other fruit.
  • bethlaf
    bethlaf Posts: 954 Member
    ok, you have an if i don't eat it i never will get any attitude, and thats simply not the case,
    i know im a closet eater too , mines in my car. i have remedies that have worked , most of the time , like 13 our of 14 days, and on the days i give in , i relax about it, cuz one day isnt worth killing myself for, theres options here.
    leave enough calories available so when you do snack
    its not over goal.
    save that time for your me time, and exercise
    really look into the reasons why that is the time you "need" to snack.
    it it hunger?
    de stressing?
    coping mechanism??
    etc??
  • tinak33
    tinak33 Posts: 9,883 Member
    If you are just eating because it's there, then after dinner, go brush your teeth, floss, gargle some mouthwash.

    That works for me. I never want to eat after doing that. It wouldn't taste as good, and then I will have to brush and floss all over again.

    I have issues eating dinner if I have a 5pm dentist appt..... hahaha

Categories