how to stop bingeing at night?! So mad at myself...

allknowingtomato
allknowingtomato Posts: 42 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I know this topic comes up over and over again, but I am at my wit's end.

I know what I should be eating. I know I should not eat mindlessly at night. I know I am not even hungry! but i am stuck! i will hit all my macros, and then it goes to crap at 10pm. it's not really about avoiding having junk around, because something comes over me and I will eat whatever is available (string cheese, dried fruit, leftovers, crackers, anything.) it's not like i'm seriously depriving myself during the day, either. i will have 1600-1800 cals of balanced food (protein veg fruit healthy fats, some whole grains, dairy, avoiding too much sugar) spaced throughout the day. And I still become a bottomless pit after dinner.

I don't want or need to lose weight fast. i just want to lose a pound a week. i have probably 60 pounds to be a healthy size, this should be easy. what is wrong with me?
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Replies

  • jaharrison763
    jaharrison763 Posts: 99 Member
    Who said it's easy? :huh: I have the most trouble at night if I don't keep myself busy. That's one of the reasons I'm at the gym at night. It keeps me out of the kitchen! If I know I'm satisfied food-wise for the day but still feel like grazing after dinner, I'll have a couple Altoid mints and a glass of water (or cup of decaf tea or coffee), then brush my teeth and mentally close the kitchen for the night. I hate eating anything after I brush my teeth, so once I do that, I don't want anything else.
  • Tilran
    Tilran Posts: 627 Member
    So that problem is more common than you think. One recommendation that typically helps is water. You may be dehydrated and your body confuses that for cravings. Drink more water daily and then a big glass around an hour or so before your cravings begins typically.

    You should see a big improvement in your cravings.
  • nicoled_220
    nicoled_220 Posts: 5 Member
    My issue at night is wine or beer. I love to have a couple of glasses at night but a glass is like 120 cals! So 2 glasses, and my calories are shot for the day. I'm the same way though - I know better, but yet, I can't muster the will power to not go for it! Bah! So FRUSTRATING!
  • LoraF83
    LoraF83 Posts: 15,694 Member
    If you know that you need a snack at 10pm, why not save some calories for then?
  • allknowingtomato
    allknowingtomato Posts: 42 Member
    LoraF83, even saving calories won't help. if i start eating that late, I just don't stop at the right time.

    I have even tried shifting all my meals so that my regular dinner is later in an attempt to just schedule my eating for when it is already happening. Again, i lose control and overdo things.
  • Tilran
    Tilran Posts: 627 Member
    LoraF83, even saving calories won't help. if i start eating that late, I just don't stop at the right time.

    I have even tried shifting all my meals so that my regular dinner is later in an attempt to just schedule my eating for when it is already happening. Again, i lose control and overdo things.

    That is sounding more and more like self control. If water does not help...it is self control. Just as an addict needs to quit drugs, gambling, drinking...you must stop binging....simple.
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    i always just go to bed. I will read if I'm not tired yet.
  • toriaenator
    toriaenator Posts: 423 Member
    brush your teeth :D everything will taste like****.
  • Brianf2fusa
    Brianf2fusa Posts: 14
    I seriously have NOTHING to binge on in my pantry or fridge unless its peanut butter.

    1st step is Throw ALL the junk away

    2nd step make sure you drinking LOTS of water, a lot of times your thirsty but your mind will think your hungry at night.

    3rd sometimes there is nothing wrong with snacking, just snack on the right stuff, Find some really low calorie goods to satisfy your need.
  • sharoniballoni
    sharoniballoni Posts: 163 Member
    I had this issue, too. It wasn't until I started going to therapy that I stopped the night binges. Like you said, it's not that you're hungry. You just feel this need... this void to fill. It might be emotional and it's something you should investigate within yourself. Good luck. :)
  • MariaLivingFit
    MariaLivingFit Posts: 224 Member
    I go to bed early so I don't snack beyond my planned foods for the day (plus it helps me get up in the morning to workout!)
  • soulfulsally
    soulfulsally Posts: 326
    Is there an emotional reason for the eating? Like maybe at night you're getting anxious about going to work or school in the morning?
  • habend
    habend Posts: 1 Member
    I can totally relate, my binge eating is normally late in the evening and caused by stress or boredom. I find that if I am craving something late in the evening, having a bowl of vegetable broth will solve it. It has flavor and is very filling - and low calorie!
  • iampam4399
    iampam4399 Posts: 81 Member
    Go to sleep!!!! If you're like the rest of us, you're not getting enough sleep as it is. Use this time to get in some extra zzzz's, AND avoid the binging!! It's a win/win situation!
    Good luck to you!
  • AmyP619
    AmyP619 Posts: 1,137 Member
    go to bed earlier!! I just go to bed when I get hungry at night and it's late enough for bed!! Lol helps!
  • tubbyelmo
    tubbyelmo Posts: 415 Member
    That's what I call Kindle Time, I brush my teeth and head to bed to read my kindle, I won't eat once I have that fresh toothpaste taste, and I read to take my mind off it!
  • Ke22yB
    Ke22yB Posts: 969 Member
    I looked at your diary and I think you might want to try eating more protein and less carbs especially at dinner the carbs break down faster usually and this could lead to that restless feeling later at night I go with a 40 40 20 now and don't have as much trouble at night I didnt think I was hungry but my body was " LOOKING " for something more so when I worked out hard. with the higher protein at dinner I was more satisfied
  • dbrightwell1270
    dbrightwell1270 Posts: 1,732 Member
    This won't work for most people but I am single and live alone. I usually have cereal and breakfast food in the house. Other than that, I pick up food for dinner every night after work and don't keep extra stuff in the house.
  • LizL217
    LizL217 Posts: 217 Member
    After dinner if I'm starting to feel like I want to snack and don't have room for more calories in my day, I'll say "I can have a snack if I do 50 push-ups first". Usually the push-ups end up making me not want to snack because why would I undo all of that awesomeness?

    Other things that work for me are:
    1) drinking a big glass of seltzer with lime wedge - 0 cal, and delicious
    2) brushing my teeth
    3) painting my nails so I can't touch anything
    4) making out with my man :) <-- this should really be #1
  • fit4lifeUcan2
    fit4lifeUcan2 Posts: 1,458 Member
    When I feel like getting something to eat late and night and I know i'm not hungry. Its just habit or I'm anxious about something or just flat out bored I'll go for a late night walk. Then when I get home I go straight to bed. The walk helps me to get out that little bit of energy thats keeping me from settling down and I usually fall right to sleep. I also drink water instead of reaching for those late night snacks. I never was a night time snack person till I got married. My husband is up till 1 am eating it seems non stop. But he's a letter carrier and burns it off very easily. Try walking or drinking water instead of reaching for those snacks. You need to learn self control. That seems to be the issue.
  • zmaupin
    zmaupin Posts: 1
    Most people wig out when I tell them how I diet (and that it actually works for me). It's called intermittent fasting. I eat between the hours of 1pm-8pm. (Important part is that you fast for about 14-16 hours, then eat for 8-10 hours.

    Other than that, I just have water or coffee. I don't get hungry. I don't feel like eating a cow when I go to bed. A normal dinner for me (a male, 200 pounds, 5'11", who works out 1.5 hours every day) is 6oz of chicken (it's a lot of protein) and 1 full cup of mashed potatoes with butter and all the veggies you want. Every night I feel great. I feel full. By the time lunch comes around the next day, I am ready to eat again.

    Guess what, I also eat this for dinner sometimes - Ben and Jerry's Greek Yogurt Peanut Butter Banana Ice cream.

    I was 218 Oct 1 and today I am 208.

    Good luck!

    EDIT: I wanted to add...most people reply with "what about stoking the fire of my metabolism?" and "won't my body feed off my muscles?" and I answer, before we were filled with disease and sickness and disorder, man used to actually work for his food. He didn't have a tiger leg every 3 hours to help him throughout the day.
  • ccaym
    ccaym Posts: 86
    I struggle with this too. Many people do...you are not alone. Like you, I eat plenty of good, real food during the day and am often not that hungry at night. I think that it is an emotional/mental thing for me. At the end of the day I finally have a chance to relax and do something for myself and, unfortunately, I often choose to eat. I don't know how to break the habit, but others here have offered some good ideas. One thing that helps me is to snack on lighter, crunchy foods...apple or celery with a little peanut butter, homemade popcorn, etc. If I am in the mood for creamy and sweet I'll go for a banana, yogurt, or herbal tea with milk and honey. Another thing that helps is to notice how much better I feel in the morning if I don't snack late at night. My tummy feels better, I have more energy, and - if I resist for a couple nights in a row - I am down a pound or two.
  • Fat2Fit145
    Fat2Fit145 Posts: 385 Member
    I know this topic comes up over and over again, but I am at my wit's end.

    I know what I should be eating. I know I should not eat mindlessly at night. I know I am not even hungry! but i am stuck! i will hit all my macros, and then it goes to crap at 10pm. it's not really about avoiding having junk around, because something comes over me and I will eat whatever is available (string cheese, dried fruit, leftovers, crackers, anything.) it's not like i'm seriously depriving myself during the day, either. i will have 1600-1800 cals of balanced food (protein veg fruit healthy fats, some whole grains, dairy, avoiding too much sugar) spaced throughout the day. And I still become a bottomless pit after dinner.

    I don't want or need to lose weight fast. i just want to lose a pound a week. i have probably 60 pounds to be a healthy size, this should be easy. what is wrong with me?

    So i dont want to sound like a shrink here ( although im a final year psychology student), but it can be linked to something of the past.......something in your subconscious......there is definitely an emotional link to why you are doing this. You may need to try and manage ur emotions and see why you seem to cannot excercise self-control. Experiences in our life can cause our eating habits to becoming intertwined with our feelings or emotions... i dont think its just greed....you seem to want to stop but cant find the will to do so. See that stament "bottomless pit"... says alot.... so next time it happens take note of how you are feeling and the events leading up to it.... and try and address those feelings.
  • ChristinaG100
    ChristinaG100 Posts: 41 Member
    I looked at your diary too- and you seem to be eating bready things in the morning which I know for me makes me want to snack all day and especially into the evening. I would try to eat eggs and turkey bacon (example) higher protein with fewer carbs in the morning. It really does reduce your appetite to start the day with protein- at least for me.
    Otherwise just get into a hot tub with a cold glass of water and straight to bed.
  • capnrus789
    capnrus789 Posts: 2,736 Member
    I'm a boredom eater. So, if I'm feeling hungry, I play some silly game on my phone. If you don't have that, get a cheap handheld at walmart (Yahtzee is great for this). Just somethign to occupy the mind.
  • allknowingtomato
    allknowingtomato Posts: 42 Member
    Thank you everyone for your replies. Some thoughts:

    1) I will definitely try to increase my water consumption. that is a good goal regardless.

    2) I will definitely try to make myself go to bed sooner. Most of the time i am eating, I shouldn't even be awake.

    3) I have made a commitment to visit an OA meeting this weekend. I loathe the religious reliance aspect of 12-step programs, but i don't have health insurance so professional therapy really isn't an option for me : / Maybe a support group will help give me some tools or perspectives to break the habit.

    4) I agree that boredom/emotional components may be at play. If I am staying up, I should probably do some kettle bell exercises or something else to occupy my time.

    5) regarding "removing the crap" in the house: I have roommates so to a certain extent i cannot control the food that they bring into the home. I will also binge on just about anything (protein powder, fruit, almonds, cheese, meat, etc.) so i can't really "get rid" of the stuff in the house because that would mean a completely empty house, and I have even gone to get a fast food burger in the past so : /

    6) I will try switching up the protein/carb ratio. As it is, I always strive to leave my carb count lower than MFP's ratio. The bread in the morning thing is more a convenience thing- I eat at work and this is fast and easy to make and eat. I really don't have the time in the morning for an involved breakfast. Maybe I should make myself ham/cheese roll-ups or something. I am also fine skipping breakfast and waiting until i'm physically hungry to eat (usually closer to 11am). I am not particularly interested in adhering to a very low-carb diet, but i would consider "targeting" my carbs (limiting my starchy carbs to before substantial prolonged workouts).

    Thanks again for the suggestions. Please, anyone else let me know how you handle this. I feel like i'm ruining a whole day of careful eating every. single. day.
  • JacksMom12
    JacksMom12 Posts: 1,044 Member
    I feel your pain. Last night at 11 pm, I ate 3 packs of ramen, a pb&j, and a huge bowl of cereal with whole milk. Ugh. I wasn't even hungry and I am so mad at myself.
  • abentrup
    abentrup Posts: 29 Member
    I have the same issue! I've recently been eating kettle corn which makes you think your eating alot but not that many calories! And a major plus is that its A-MAZING!
  • eswelty
    eswelty Posts: 6
    I have the same problem. My husband works until midnight and I wait up for him, and it's incredibly hard to keep from eating even if you aren't hungry. You are probably like me and either watching TV or on the computer. I recently read that the body/brain gets addicted to food and sugar. I've also read if you don't eat enough during the day, your body forces you to binge at night. I can't seem to get whatever it is under control even if I'm conscious of it. I thought about just going to bed earlier, but don't want to sleep my life away or miss my husband. Please let me know if someone gives you good feedback. Thanks so much and good luck to you!

    P.S. Don't be mad at yourself, at least you are trying - more than a lot of people can say
  • eswelty
    eswelty Posts: 6
    just a thought, if you go to bed earlier - would you be able to get up earlier to fix a better breakfast and pack a good lunch and snacks? Hope that helps, and don't be mad at yourself, at least you are trying.

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