Suggestions or articles for avoiding night eating?

theseus82
theseus82 Posts: 255 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Lately I've been doing really well at staying on program during the day, but struggle to avoid night-eating late at night.

The problem is partly due to the fact that I struggle to actually fall asleep. I know that eating something will often help me fall asleep, but late night snacking is causing me to go over-calories for the day.

Keep in mind, I don't want to use sleep medicine. I just got myself off Ambien because it caused midnight snacking. I've tried other sleep meds and all the big name ones cause side-effects for me.

What tips do you have to avoid eating after bedtime? How can I get better sleep so I don't resort to late night snacking just to fall asleep?
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Replies

  • Gretegettingfit
    Gretegettingfit Posts: 18
    I drink chamomile tea or sleepy time tea when I feel like snacking before bed. It also helps me relax.
  • Lochlyn_D
    Lochlyn_D Posts: 492 Member
    When you want to eat at night, just go and do something else. Drink lots of water.

    An article is not going to help you. We are not going to help you. Only YOU can help you. It's 100% willpower, man. If you want it, you'll do it.
  • theseus82
    theseus82 Posts: 255 Member
    Thanks, but books and articles HAVE helped me learn techniques to avoid over-eating. Saying that it all comes down to me and my willpower is not incredibly helpful.

    Any other ideas, strategies you use to avoid eating after bedtime? The problem is also due to the fact that I have a great deal of trouble falling asleep.
  • theseus82
    theseus82 Posts: 255 Member
    I drink chamomile tea or sleepy time tea when I feel like snacking before bed. It also helps me relax.

    Thanks! I'll try drinking some decaf tea. The problem is that tea might make me have to go to the bathroom more. I only recently got over an overactive bladder condition. I go to the bathroom WAY more often than the average person. But drinking a cup of tea could be helpful to avoid snacking!
  • SideSteel
    SideSteel Posts: 11,068 Member
    Save calories for bedtime by reducing or delaying your caloric intake during the day. Then, when you're hungry at night, eat -- just stay within your calorie allowance.
  • EmilyOfTheSun
    EmilyOfTheSun Posts: 1,548 Member
    Save a couple hundred calories so you are able to snack in the evenings without going over your calorie goal.
  • ryry_
    ryry_ Posts: 4,966 Member
    Save calories for bedtime by reducing or delaying your caloric intake during the day. Then, when you're hungry at night, eat -- just stay within your calorie allowance.

    THis...Also, what is your calorie goal for the day?
  • CyberEd312
    CyberEd312 Posts: 3,536 Member
    Save calories for bedtime by reducing or delaying your caloric intake during the day. Then, when you're hungry at night, eat -- just stay within your calorie allowance.

    Yup!!! :drinker:
  • ThinLizzie0802
    ThinLizzie0802 Posts: 863 Member
    I have the same problem. I started making my lunches lighter, allowing a late afternoon snack, and eating dinner around 7 to avoid this. Snacking at night keeps me awake. I am in the habit of doing it when I finally do sit down at night so I've replaced the snacks with unsweetened peppermint, slender, detox, or sleepy time tea. Spread your daytime meals/snacks out to allow for a later dinner and stock up on tea!
  • emmagiffard5
    emmagiffard5 Posts: 22 Member
    I've been drinking ice water or herbal teas, just bought in some low cal hot chocolates incase I feel the choccy pangs coming on lol
  • jeslaughter
    jeslaughter Posts: 131 Member
    Lately I've been doing really well at staying on program during the day, but struggle to avoid night-eating late at night.

    The problem is partly due to the fact that I struggle to actually fall asleep. I know that eating something will often help me fall asleep, but late night snacking is causing me to go over-calories for the day.

    Keep in mind, I don't want to use sleep medicine. I just got myself off Ambien because it caused midnight snacking. I've tried other sleep meds and all the big name ones cause side-effects for me.

    What tips do you have to avoid eating after bedtime? How can I get better sleep so I don't resort to late night snacking just to fall asleep?
    I am always hungry just before bed so I eat something, nothing huge or lots of calories, sometimes just some celery sticks or a tomato, even just a large glass of ice water...and yes, I end up getting up to pee during the night from that but can usually just go back to sleep without an issue...just do not over do and if you can, save yourself some calories for the late night snack. Good luck..hope you find something helpful.
  • sarajeanelles
    sarajeanelles Posts: 55 Member
    I have the same problem. I have found that I am usually satisfied with a low calorie snack (watermelon, plain popcorn, a lollipop, etc) and a really good diet drink, I am hooked on this expensive diet root beer right now, and it feels like I'm having a treat.
  • taoistpunk
    taoistpunk Posts: 57 Member
    I have this problem in the WORST WAY! I usually will exercise a bit later, say around 7:30 or 8pm. This eats up time AND is fresh in my mind when I want that bowl of cereal that whispers to me at night. I'm less likely to eat snacks at night if I just worked hard to get ahead.

    I Also hang out in rooms FAR AWAY from the food. If i'm in the living room I know I'm too close to the food. Up in the loft (3rd floor) is my favorite spot, because it's 2 flights of stairs and I can't hear the cereal whispering to me from up there.

    DON"T watch anything on FoodTV. Seriously, I love cooking shows (and cooking, and eating) so I keep foodtv for daytime only, and even then in extreme moderation. It's not their fault, but it is my problem.

    Good luck. I know those evening demons, and they wil F*** with you hard. It's been the hardest part of adjusting to my new life.
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  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    I like to eat late too, so I just plan for it. I eat dinner around 8:30 - 9:00 and have dessert (usually fruit and cocoa almonds) just before bed.
  • yrollam1013
    yrollam1013 Posts: 41 Member
    For me if I don't eat enough during the day I'm more likely to night eat. So I would check if you are actually getting enough during the day.Sometimes when I night eat it's emotional, and if I ask myself what I'm feeling and why I'm hungry it is easier to avoid eating. I also read that melatonin helps with night eating.
  • ngyoung
    ngyoung Posts: 311 Member
    http://robbwolf.com/2010/12/31/easy-ways-to-be-a-sleep-viking-in-2011/
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  • THE_DOCTORSWIFE
    THE_DOCTORSWIFE Posts: 91 Member
    I go to bed early if I start to feel the munchies coming on
  • chelseascounter
    chelseascounter Posts: 1,283 Member
    What everyone else is saying, save some calories for the night.
  • operation_cute
    operation_cute Posts: 588 Member
    I like warm milk if I'm having trouble sleeping, and the protien will help curb any late night hunger :)
  • Jenn010101
    Jenn010101 Posts: 18 Member
    I go to the gym after supper around 7-8 then by the time I get home and jump in the shower I watch tv/do chores for an hour and head to bed. I find if I keep busy the snacking is kept to a minimum.
  • Lmns218
    Lmns218 Posts: 155
    Pretty much what everybody else said!!!! Do you exercise? That has helped me to sleep better at night so I don't wake up to eat.
  • HorseFly
    HorseFly Posts: 9 Member
    I have the same problem and I go for the popcorn or the cauliflower. Cauliflower has a lot of crunch and you can put like a tsp of ranch or other dressing on it and shake it and then it has a nice snacky flavor for very little calories. You could probably use other seasonings too. Another good low calorie snack is hard boiled eggs or low fat cottage cheese.

    You might also try having more protein and healthy fats during the day and less carbohydrates to not get as hungry. I switched from about 300g carbs a day to 150g and increased protein to make up the difference in calories and I feel a lot less hungry at night.

    Just watch out because sometimes late night snacking is a sign of having too few calories day after day. I actually have insomnia when I cut back calories too much. I also wake up with headaches from my blood sugar getting low overnight.

    All things I have found from experience. Maybe some of it will work for you.
  • whitneysin
    whitneysin Posts: 605 Member
    Sometimes I pop half of a Melatonin (natural sleep regulating pill), and crash out early to avoid eating.


    Also, if you tell yourself that you can indulge in whatever you're craving at a slightly later time (say you calculate it into your lunch tomorrow), you won't see your craving as forbidden, sometimes that makes it a little easier.
  • Lrdoflamancha
    Lrdoflamancha Posts: 1,280 Member
    I have this problem too....big time. Most folks now agree that the time you eat does not matter to weight loss. That being said I still don't like doing it. Now I save 10 percent of my daily calories approx 200 for night time eating. Usually this is fruit and chicken breast. That seems to be working for me. As far as fluids go... I pee too damn often at night now so .... Additional water does not help.
  • zyxst
    zyxst Posts: 9,149 Member
    Save calories for bedtime by reducing or delaying your caloric intake during the day. Then, when you're hungry at night, eat -- just stay within your calorie allowance.

    If you can't save calories for a night snack, try *kitten*.
  • GurleyGirl524
    GurleyGirl524 Posts: 578 Member
    Have you tried taking melatonin? It is a chemical found in your body. My 11 year old has had a sleeping disorder for years. His neurologist suggested it. Also, try eating a very high protein meal or evening snack. That will help you stay full.
  • trinitypinecone
    trinitypinecone Posts: 5 Member
    I have had success with preparing food for the next day as a way to avoid excessive late night eating. Doing something with food other than eating it satisfies. Making a grain based salad that involves chopping up vegetables and is supposed to blend flavors overnight so it isn't really edible right away has helped both the late night eating and the having something healthy ready for the next day.
  • themedalist
    themedalist Posts: 3,218 Member
    Save calories for bedtime by reducing or delaying your caloric intake during the day. Then, when you're hungry at night, eat -- just stay within your calorie allowance.

    Yup!!! :drinker:

    +1

    There's no way I would have lost the weight I needed to lose and gotten to my goal weight and size without a bed time snack. Usually peanut butter and jelly on an English muffin. If I'm at all hungry, I can't sleep. So, I built in a sizable bed time snack into my eating plan. Problem solved.

    You need to find what works for you.

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