AGH! Ruining my day be eating at night - HELP!!!

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Replies

  • I find chewing gum helps me. When I have a sweet tooth I find that I am better off eating something I enjoy. If I try to just eat something healthier I will over eat anyway. I have a recipe for a great little treat. It has chocolate,nuts peanut butter, etc... It's about the size of a ping pong ball. I have one every night as my treat and one with a banana before I workout. Since I started doing this I don't crave sweets anymore. If you would like I could email you the recipe.

    Yes, I saw the treats on your diary.. please send me the recipe too!
  • saraann4
    saraann4 Posts: 1,296 Member
    Lower your calories for breakfast and lunch so you can indulge more in the evening time. I like a big dinner so that's what I do.
  • Cranktastic
    Cranktastic Posts: 1,517 Member
    Lower your calories for breakfast and lunch so you can indulge more in the evening time. I like a big dinner so that's what I do.
    YEP..

    i have coffee for breakfast, and save the majority of my calories for a few larger meals and some snacks later in the day.
    Makes me VERY happy and fits in my calories.
  • adstar20
    adstar20 Posts: 29 Member
    This was my biggest problem too. My problem is that I don't do moderation well. I knew it was just a habit because if I just ignored the urge to eat it would suck but I would still sleep fine and I wouldn't be any more hungry when I woke up in the morning. As a result, the only thing that worked for me is a rule. No eating anything after dinner (I will drink water) if I am at home.

    It was quite unpleasant for the first few weeks but it doesn't bother me much anymore. On the occasional day it does, I try to focus more on being happy with keeping my streak alive.
  • daylily2005
    daylily2005 Posts: 203 Member
    I had this issue when I was starting out. So I upped my cals and upped my exercise. Now I very rarely overeat--and it's not that I'm hungry, it's just that I'm craving something really unhealthy (or I'm on vacation and eat out at restaurants for every meal). I'd recommend either upping your cals a little to start with and make sure you get exercise in, or just make better choices earlier in the day to allow yourself a little bit of "veg" time.

    And try to switch to healthier things--carrots and hummus, fruit, popcorn (surprisingly not as horrible for you when it's not movie theater...) :)

    ETA: I also found that for a long time artificial sweeteners made me munchy. Once I broke myself of that habit, I can have a diet coke or a crystal light without turning munchy. If you drink diet drinks, try cutting back and see if it changes.
  • hedwardsb
    hedwardsb Posts: 201 Member
    Maybe your post workout recovery snack is insufficient.
    I'm not a huge evening snacker, but I've discovered if I'm hungry & try to make it without a snack, a huge binge may result.
  • Lower your calories for breakfast and lunch so you can indulge more in the evening time. I like a big dinner so that's what I do.
    YEP..

    i have coffee for breakfast, and save the majority of my calories for a few larger meals and some snacks later in the day.
    Makes me VERY happy and fits in my calories.

    Me too! I have small amounts of food for BF and lunch and then a bigger dinner and a nice evening snack.
  • tharrington82
    tharrington82 Posts: 32 Member
    I always save calories for a snack at night. If I have a hard workout I will make a protein smoothie with protein powder, yogurt, milk, and some kind of fruit. Its like a shake. If I didn't have a hard workout it is usually something like sugar free hot chocolate, or sugar free pudding (the instant kind by JellO not the cups) with a tbsp of semi sweet chocolate chips in it. Always works for me. I crave sweet at night. The best thing you can do is PLAN on those calories at night!
  • I HAVE to have something to keep me busy while watching tv. Do you knit or crochet or anything like that? My friend swears that it keeps her busy enough to avoid snacking. I drink tea or water, or chew gum. If late night cravings are a serious problem for you, you could try talking to your doctor about medication to help. I'm trying Topamax, which is used off-label to curb food cravings. It's certainly not an easy fix and it won't replace diet and exercise, but it can help with overpowering cravings.