Hungry every night!

I used to have the same problem, have my evening meal around 7:30/8pm and then be hungry again around 10/10:30. My nutritionist advised me to add 20g of decent protein to my meal. Either a Steamed or Grilled Skinless Chicken Breast or Salmon Fillet.

Bingo, no more cravings, and my weight loss increased too.

+1 on the peanut butter suggestion. Of course it always depends on your full lifestyle. Personally I have a very heavy workout from 9:00-10:30 at night. If I don't have protein before working out, I am very lethargic and starving afterwards. Sometimes I do 1 glass of milk and 1 spoon of peanut butter after working out. When I have particularly strong hunger pangs, I eat a bowl of oatmeal (1 cup oats + raisins, cinnamon,a nd splenda

I think what is important is not to get to that point. If you eat dinner at 6:00 and are hungry at 9:00, make it a point to get a spoon of peanut butter or something similar at 8:00.

For me protein does the trick. My favorite snack at night is bing cherries and Greek yogurt. you can sweeten with a little bit of honey... delicious. Or if you are in the mood for something salty greek yogurt dip with veggies should help. To save all the calories until right before going to bed might not be the healthiest choice, it gives me indigestion and nightmares:huh:

I always have two scoops of casein or about a cup of cottage cheese before bed, keeps the protein in the system overnight.

I used to struggle with the same late night cravings the OP mentioned, my fix was keeping myself hydrated throughout the day. For me at least, that almost completely killed them. I still struggle with it sometimes because for years I would eat cookies or something before bed but once you break the habit for a while it's pretty easy to stick to it.

chromium is supposed to help with cravings - blood sugar etc... that may help but I'd google it or something!

Interesting suggestion. Do you take a pill for it?

Make room for a snack. I work out (religiously - look at my diaries). ... I plan a snack every single day now. I also drink tea at night. Helps keep me full.

What really helped me with my late night snacking and binge control is to pre-log my food for the following day. I see what I am allowing myself to eat, which in return helps me make wise decisions. I used to be big into fruit, til I revamped my macro's and now I eat only 28 grams of sugars a day. With fruit, stick to berries: blueberries, black berries, raspberries....it'll help keep the sugar content down (which in return could spark a binge for more sugar - which in return would send you searching for the cookies and chocolate). Mix it with greek yogurt or cottage cheese. Also, protein is key - the more protein you have, the less hungry you'll be. I try to hit at least 150 of protein a day. My goal is to hit 200 a day for protein. Lean meats, chicken and fish.

I can't stress enough how water intake is SO important for help maintaining a balanced day. Lack of water could send you looking for more food. You need to learn the difference between hunger and dehydration. Since drinking nearly a gallon of water a day, I'm not nearly as hungry at night anymore.

Remember that this is a journey, not a race. It's all about finding what works for you. I hope that this litle tibit helped somewhat. Please feel free to message me if you have any questions.

eat something!!! But try to make a wise decision .... like something high in protein that will make you feel fuller longer. Try greek yogurt.

Schedule your meals and snacks so that you put your body in a routine of knowing when it is time to eat and have your food already prepared or sectioned out in small portions and dont eat past a certian time. Keep in mind too that the commercials that are on during that time frame are fast food, snacks, beer - it could be a psycological thing, if you let the thought overcome you then you will fall into the trap. Keep sugar free gum handy - it helps to keep your mouth busy and your mind thinking that its eating from the chewing sensation, plus you burn what ever calories there are in it by chewing. Just a tip I use.

I normally munch on real carrots (not the slimy baby cut carrots) and sometimes celery. I know it is not cookies or chocolate but I am glad I reached my goal this way. Feels healthier.

I have low blood sugar and always found that I couldn't make it until morning without waking up hungry and shakey. I was fine throughout the day, but the middle of the night was awful. I found what helped me was drinking a 8 ounce glass of skim milk with 2 tbsp. of "no sugar added" Nesquik mixed in. Is Nesquik the best thing in the world for you? No, but the sugar in it latched to the protein in the milk and sent it through my system. Keeps my sugar stable all night. (Also cures my sweet tooth! )

My professional oppinion is this:

It is very good to have a light snack before bed. Make sure it is either a protein snack like several hard boiled egg whites or a piece of chicken. Casein works very well. The other option would be good fats like almonds. I also like to take my fish oil supplement before bed. Contrary to popular belief, a fat or protein snack before bed will keep your metabolism raised during sleep and you will not be hungry.

Do not, I repeat do not, eat fruit or carbs before bed if your goal is weight loss. I have had clients gain weight just because they added fruit before bed. The sugars in fruit does not convert in the same way other carbs do. I can write volumes on this, but bottom line the sugars in fruit are stored in your liver, any excess beyond what your liver can hold will be converted to fat.

I had no idea!