Late night snackers...

Water helps! I was snacking because I was tired and dehydrated. Now I realize that, have a cold glass of water or two and head to bed.

I'm exactly the same way. I've found that, being inherently lazy, if I don't have snack foods in the house I won't go out and buy them, I'll just make myself a cup of fruit tea instead. It doesn't work for everyone, but I just can't "willpower" myself into not snacking if the stuff is lying around my kitchen, so it works nicely for me. I also try and stock up on "better" snack foods--for example, I found these awesome cherry-chocolate cookies that have a decent serving of fiber (for cookies...), which is better than Oreos or something similar. I also love fat-free yogurt because it's sweet but still awesome for you and easy on the food log.

Good luck with your snacking!

I love the last comment, being inherently lazy too! I agree, if it isn't in the house, then I can't eat it. If I need savoury, I have a cup of vegetable boullion. If it's sweet stuff, I have a fruit bar like Nakd bars or 9 bars (dunno if you can get them in the states but you're bound to have something similar.

I also make a rule that I can't have anything after 8 pm. Not that I think that eating calories later makes them stick to your hips, just it helps me control what I eat. I also make sure I'm in bed usually by 10pm. If I'm tired, I tend to crave stodgy, sweet food the next day.

At first I thought you ate 9 bars, I didn't know it was the bars name. oops

Yes. Water helps for me. Lots of water kills that urge for snacks. Tea or coffee with Splenda works fine too if it doesn't keep you up all night.. Maybe decaf but I don't like decaf.

I don't go by the clock on the wall for my meals. In general I find I've switched the timing of everything. I know you're told to eat breakfast, and I do, but mine happens to be around 11 so I can eat lunch around 3-4 and dinner at 8-9, and then a snack before bed. May be going against all the rules but it works for me. I'm not hungry early but am ravenous at night. My hunger builds during the day so if I go with my body and eat when I'm really hungry, seems a good idea to me. It might work for you too

Time does matter!! Your body produces HGH (Human Growth Hormone) in the wee hours of the morning - this hormone is what helps your cells repicate correctly, reduces aging and boosts metabolism - and it's inhibited by carbohydrates, so if you snack on carbs late at night, you'll not get the maximum benefit. If you're still feeling hungry at night after you've already eaten look for the root cause WHY? You're not actually hungry if you've been fueling your body properly. For instance, sleepiness can mask as hunger in addition to thirst (which we all know) - or maybe you're body is craving nourishment that it's lacking (think vitamin/mineral deficiencies). Have you started working out more? Maybe you need to boost post-workout protein intake or pre-workout carb intake. Are you hungry because you're bored? Can't focus? Try yoga, meditation or a hobby that keeps your hands and brain occupied at night. There are some very useful tips posted, but get down to the root of the problem or you'll fall harder into late-night snacking.

I'm a newbie but I have the same problem - eating all evening. I actually do get hungry a few hours after eating and especially at night. There's two low calorie things that seem to help me best. One tablespoon of Omega 3 balanced crunch peanut butter. The other is Kroger's Carb Master yogurt -it comes in plain or with real fruits in it. It's the only brand I've found with the low 4 grams of carbs. I'm Type II diabetic and need to watch the carbs as well as calories. Thinking of checking out the dark chocolate candy, you know those with sections - see what the calories are in that, figure could break a section off when I have a chocolate craving. Have heard and found it's true for me when I crave something I'm better off eating small whatever than eating other things and still craving.