How do you handle LATE NIGHT MUNCHIES?

Save 100 calories or so for snacking and plan ahead to have a 100 calorie popcorn bag or some fruit or veggies.

Save 100 calories or so for snacking

THIS

i used to go lay in bed or clean... and if it really got bad i would go brush my teeth and rinse with mouth wash

I get those, and the late night munchies can ruin my whole day of clean eating.
My final meal is an hour before bed....I need that or I fail big time...

I always plan out a decent snack for the evening. If I'm still craving after that, I'll have some herbal tea, a big glass of water, or brush my teeth (or all 3).. I've gone to bed hungry on more than one occasion.

I've tried a lot to help with my late night munches haha. The one thing that worked for me was replacing the habit with a cup of tea or coffee. I was never actually hungry, it was just a habit. Hopefully this helps(:

If i have calories left I have popcorn, if not i will make myself to herbal mint tea. The facts it has flavor and no calories puts the craving as ease a bit and the liquid fills me up so I feel less hungry.

I don't know if this is you, but before joining MFP, I had the "reward" mindset...like when the kids went to bed after a long day of being a mom, I felt I "deserved" a hot fudge sundae / bag of chips & dip / half an oven baked pizza. You get the idea. Bad mindset. :embarassed:

Now that I have joined MFP, I have learned to reward myself for a hard day in other ways instead of consuming wheelbarrows full of high calorie and high fat foods. I've gotten pretty "zen" about it: from long, hot bubble baths to "me time" just reading a book or wandering around Pinterest.com, catching up on e-mails to friends & family..or online shopping. :bigsmile:

But as many others have already said, I try to "save" 100 calories or so for my evenings, and IFI feel the munchies coming on, I indulge a bit. After all, what's a bubble bath without a piece of Godiva? :laugh:

I struggle with the same thing. Hot cocoa helps me...

Also, going on MFP for inspiration!

Feel free to friend me if you need some extra accountability.

I always plan out a decent snack for the evening. If I'm still craving after that, I'll have some herbal tea, a big glass of water, or brush my teeth (or all 3).. I've gone to bed hungry on more than one occasion.

I like this idea.

When you feel you're "hungry", decide what is driving the hunger. What is the motivation? Are you really bored, lonely, etc.? Sometimes I go, go, go all day and then once there is a chance to breathe at night, I want to eat. Especially potent desire to eat if I have not eaten well during the day or eaten on the run. I want time to savor and enjoy my food. One way to combat that is to try and not eat on the run during the day, try to give yourself 15 minutes to eat each of your daytime meals and be conscious of what you are eating, try to enjoy it or at least sit down to eat!

Examine your sleep habits. If you don't get enough sleep, you will possibly think you are hungry. The hormones that regulate hunger are supposedly linked to those that regulate sleep. If you are short on sleep, you may think you are hungry. Similarly, you may be dehydrated/thirsty. Try drinking a big glass of water and see if that helps before you eat. Better yet, drink plenty of water during the day!

If you are actually physically hungry in the evening, find something that meets your nutritional needs. Maybe you are low on protein and should reach for a protein rich snack. Have foods you like that are nutritionally dense available and ready, so that when you are hungry you have a plan. It helps me to keep plenty of fruit on hand, so I will reach for a banana or orange when I do want to eat at night.

Hope you find a solution. I am hopefully not being preachy, I can relate to your problem as I have had it often myself. When I try to figure out how to beat the night time munchies, the above describes the thoughts and experience I have had trying to beat it.

If I have the munchies I feed it. I have worked out that I usually have the munchies because I still have calories to consume. When I upped my calories from 1300 to 1500 that stopped. MFP is a great way to meet people who have been successful and also track your calorie intake and expenditure so good luck with your healthy living.

Sometimes, I just go to bed.
If I'm upstairs in bed (watching TV or whatever!) I'm less likely to snack, as to when I'm watching TV right down by the kitchen.
Location, location, location!

^This^

like others have said, just leave yourself some extra calories to make up for it.

Some nuts, etc are a good snack for the middle of the night. They have good nutritional content and are pretty filling.
Chocolate, etc can cause an insulin spike which for the most part people tend to try to avoid during rest.

Night time is when your body does the most repair, if you are running low on "supplies" then the body is going to get quite hungry.

If you have a high level of exercise during the day, a protein shake of Casein whey and Glutamine can aid with the recovery at night time.

Remember, if you are going without a snack at night and then a light breakfast in the morning.... there is a substantial period of time when the body does not have decent fuel for energy and repair. Somethings aren't always psychosomatic... the body is pretty good at telling a person when it needs more of something.