Best way to beat the after supper sweet binges?

ShannonChris78
ShannonChris78 Posts: 21 Member
in Food and Nutrition
So, I don't do it every night, but some nights I CANNOT say no to junk. I know water helps, but I already get up 2 or 3 times a night already going to the bathroom. I completely know that it seems to be a will power thing, and I just cave. Even if I do eat a banana or grapes or nonfat yogurt. I hate it. It's like a drug or something. In the past year and a half I have quit drinking alcohol and cigarettes, and that has led to a lot of my weight gain. I did it to get healthy and now have no will power over sweets. What's up with that?? Any tips on staying full and fighting the sweet cravings before bed. Would really help out. Thanks al!
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Replies

  • MaintainCats
    MaintainCats Posts: 222 Member
    Herbal tea can help.

    I also nibble on dry cereal (cinnamon chex, frosted mini wheats, etc)...they still have sugar in them but they are less calorie dense than a chocolate bar and have vitamins/minerals/etc in them too.
  • zoukeira
    zoukeira Posts: 313 Member
    Carrot sticks - cut them up before tea. I have them with hummus.
    Strawberries or other fresh berries
    A very very (80% or higher) dark chocolate - just a square or two seems to work for me
  • victoriavoodoo
    victoriavoodoo Posts: 343 Member
    Careful with the tea though, make sure it's herbal and not green or black tea or you won't sleep! My favorite blend has black tea leaves in it that keep me up for two days haha.
  • firemanfive0
    firemanfive0 Posts: 228 Member
    try a frozen fruit bar. Our local grocery has there brand of them and they are 80 calories. Also look into sugar free jello or a half cup of fruit in there juices. Popcorn is another snack...just stick to the serving sizes as a bag is more than 1.
  • mjrkearney
    mjrkearney Posts: 408 Member
    Dark, lovely chocolate or maybe a handful of nuts/ legumes.
  • Railr0aderTony
    Railr0aderTony Posts: 6,803 Member
    do what i do, save some calories and enjoy what you really want, just keep it in check.
  • Buddogmom
    Buddogmom Posts: 15
    Dill pickles cure sweet cravings! Just watch your sodium totals.
  • Factory_Reset
    Factory_Reset Posts: 1,651 Member
    low fat fudge pops are good when you want some chocolate. It all depends on what you're craving. A couple squares of dark chocolate is good too. I'm a chocolate fan though :) I also drink protein drinks. My favorite after dinner one taste like thin mint cookies.
  • JayStu
    JayStu Posts: 332 Member
    brush your teeth with a strong mint flavoured tooth paste or if you are not home, chew a piece of mint gum
  • nikilis
    nikilis Posts: 2,305 Member
    Carrot sticks - cut them up before tea. I have them with hummus.
    Strawberries or other fresh berries
    A very very (80% or higher) dark chocolate - just a square or two seems to work for me

    excellent suggestions. just eat healthy options instead :)
  • axialmeow
    axialmeow Posts: 382 Member
    Arctic zero frozen treats might help. Relatively low cal and I can never even finish one serving.
  • kimmy_1432
    kimmy_1432 Posts: 40 Member
    I find that eating a sugar free frozen fruit bar helps. I get some Dryer 's brand for 25 calories each. Different boxes have different flavors in them. I don't know if its the healthiest but they usually take me 5 mins or so to eat without getting a brain freeze and when I'm done I've usually forgotten about my craving. I hope this helps!
  • tobejune
    tobejune Posts: 177
    Eat dinner later, maybe so you feel full longer before bed?

    Find something to do that is really engaging: Read a good book, play a game with a friend, talk on the phone, journal, knit, make some art, read in the forums, get totally disorientated on pinterest.. Anything that keeps your hands busy and your mind engaged. From the little bit you said it sounds more like a habit than real hunger that is spurring on these sweet cravings.

    Personally, apples kill sweet cravings for me. I cut them up in very thin slices and take them out of the kitchen and eat very slowly.
  • tobejune
    tobejune Posts: 177
    Oh! also, maybe you ought to just work in a dessert for after dinner. Maybe a few times a week if you're concerned about the calories. Knowing that the sweet thing is coming in a few days might help with the will power.
  • bahacca
    bahacca Posts: 878 Member
    I work in something sweet. Lately it is 0% Fage pain yogurt, 1/2 packet of splenda and a tablespooon of peanu tbutter.
    I also love nuts and dried fruit with a glass of milk. Add a few chocolate chips as well if you'd like.
    Glass of wine and a square of dark chocolate
  • All_Out_Attack
    All_Out_Attack Posts: 63
    Casein protein.
  • danasings
    danasings Posts: 8,218 Member
    1/2 cup plain nonfat Fage Greek yogurt mixed with 11g sugar free chocolate fudge jello pudding mix and 2T fat free cool whip. 105 calories, 12g protein, very satisfying!
  • EatClenTrenHard
    EatClenTrenHard Posts: 339 Member
    protein shake + diet drink
  • toniRAD
    toniRAD Posts: 196 Member
    I've been having either a teaspoon or tablespoon of Nutella lately when I get those cravings. It instantly helps. (:
  • tanzmitpalmer
    tanzmitpalmer Posts: 124 Member
    My favourite after-dinner sweet is bananas with peanut butter. Not only does the banana kick the sweet, but the peanut butter sticks to your ribs until the next morning.
  • Sparlingo
    Sparlingo Posts: 938 Member
    Ditto to the banana and PB! I don't make this choice often enough to beat the sweet craving, but it does work when I do it. It's delicious, sweet, and filling :) Just make sure you don't pile on the PB - a little goes a long way.
  • aussiecaseylee
    aussiecaseylee Posts: 12
    Find something to do that is really engaging: Read a good book, play a game with a friend, talk on the phone, journal, knit, make some art, read in the forums, get totally disorientated on pinterest.. Anything that keeps your hands busy and your mind engaged. From the little bit you said it sounds more like a habit than real hunger that is spurring on these sweet cravings.

    ^^This!!

    I was always hunting around for a treat after dinner. Now, I try to have dinner about half an hour later than I used to, then curl up with a book, or watch TV. I'm addicted to Sons of Anarchy at the moment and I can't do anything else while watching it! :laugh:
  • AnexRavensong
    AnexRavensong Posts: 262 Member
    I eat a reasonable dessert. If I deny myself everything I feel like having I end up breaking down one day and eating everything. I find it is better instead to allow myself something I like (even if I have to make room for it).

    Dessert is usually the signal to my brain that "ok, we're done eating for today". *shrug*
  • catti41
    catti41 Posts: 24 Member
    i eat dessert most nights; either 80% cocoa chocolate or frozen yoghurt.
    There's nothing wrong with it; just factor it into your day!!!
    I'm now at tha stage I don't crave it every night but it's nice to know that it's there and now 1 serve is more than enough
  • LoveAlwaysAlisa
    LoveAlwaysAlisa Posts: 111 Member
    I second the tea and the chocolate suggestions. I drink hot green or chai tea and it personally doesn't keep me up at all. And as for chocolate, the frozen fudge bars are great (lowfat/cal) or also the dark chocolate candies...I like to have a fun size almond joy or mounds...whichever one has the dark chocolate...plus i love the coconut in them too.
  • Yogi_Carl
    Yogi_Carl Posts: 1,906 Member
    Probiotic natural yogurt and grapes. Gorgeous sweet and high protein. If you have it every evening it becomes a treat you look forward to and it trains your sweet tooth.
  • AthenaErr
    AthenaErr Posts: 278 Member
    I have a real sweet tooth and have 2 scoops of chocolate slim fast with 200ml semi skimmed milk (230 cals). Its chocolate but more balanced so it doesnt make me just want more. I often just have half that, but it gives me some flexibility at the end of the day if I have a full portion logged, then if Im over I can still have a bit.
  • purplepiggy1
    purplepiggy1 Posts: 66
    You can get really low cal jelly/jello with basically no sugar or maybe sugar free butterscotches
  • SuzMcH
    SuzMcH Posts: 343 Member
    I save enough calories and have a 100-120 cal sweet treat in the evening. It's my reward for a good day. If I've not been good and don't have the cals left then I don't have it !
  • lisasshmisa
    lisasshmisa Posts: 35
    i have a similar problem but I am literallly hungry the first time i go to the lou.about 2 hrs after i go to sleep. My dr said to eat high protein at night and porridge or whey before bed because those foods take longer to digest. I have been doing that and eating less when i get up at night...have some sugar free jubes or chewy next to your bed.
    Always pre log your deserts like low cal jelly with berries and low cal yoghurt is filling and yum,put a low cal choc topping on it?Reduce the ammount of fluid a few hours before bed so you get up less?
    Add me as a friend if you like.,remind me of your situation in the request and we can help each other? I have heaps of ways to try and defeat this annoying prob we share:flowerforyou:

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