No food past 9pm? but what if I'm hungry??

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Replies

  • FoxyLifter
    FoxyLifter Posts: 965 Member
    If you are looking for ways to trick your brain into thinking that you won't be eating anymore food until after you sleep, try doing the following: floss, brush, mouthwash, drink 8-16 oz of water. Whenever I do those four things, the hunger thoughts leave my mind.

    Otherwise, I agree with the others saying that you should plan for a nighttime snack. Calories can be eaten any time of day.
  • jess6742
    jess6742 Posts: 146
    It's 10:30 and I am eating some baked chicken as a snack lol. Save some calories for night time and you'll be fine.
  • seliinac
    seliinac Posts: 336 Member
    Try cutting out calorie rich food that isn't filling, like chocolate, etc. and replace it with food that is more satisfying, perhaps some protein. I can't believe I'm saying this, as I am a chocoholic! :ohwell:

    Or exercise more so you can eat back those calories! :wink:
  • jljshoe1979
    jljshoe1979 Posts: 325 Member
    The other night, I had the worst headache, so I took two Aleve and went to bed. I was also a bit hungry, but didn't think too much of it. I didn't sleep well all night and around 4 AM the hunger was killing me, and my headache just got worse. I got up and ate two slices of turkey (Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh Cracked Black Pepper Turkey slices to be exact). My headache went away immediately and my stomach was "happy" again. I was able to go back to bed and sleep. I will not go to bed hungry again because I think that's what made me miserable. Those two slices were less than 20 calories. A whole serving is 2 oz and only 50 cals. I'm telling you this cause it worked for me, and it may help. To answer your question, if you are hungry (and it's nothing else like boredom or emotions) then eat.
  • astartig
    astartig Posts: 549 Member
    I'm an ex late night binger trying to change her ways!
    Ive found myself reaching my calorie limit after my evening meal, and so like it or not, I'm not eating anything before bed.

    But now I'm finding myself really hungry before bed, and then struggling to get to sleep because Im thinking about food.

    Is this a psychological thing or should I just eat something before bed?

    Has any one else experienced this?



    (By the way, I'm 21, I'm into my first week of MFP, and I've got just under 50Ibs to lose! Feel free to add me :) )

    a big part of the reason you're probably hungry is because you're eating a lot of junk food without a lot of nutrition. You should limit yourself to one sweet a day and try and fit in real food at other meals.
  • cuddingm
    cuddingm Posts: 41 Member
    Like many have said before me if you are hungry late eat. I work until midnight and find that sometimes I need to have something before bed and other times I don't. Do what works for you. Don't live your life counting calories!
  • Duck_Puddle
    Duck_Puddle Posts: 3,237 Member
    I routinely eat 1000+ calories between 10PM and 11PM/midnight (or whenever I go to bed). It doesn't seem to be hurting my progress. I am hungry at night, so that's when I eat. I can't sleep when I'm hungry. I plan my eating to make sure I have calories left at night.
  • It is fine to eat at ANY time of the day or night.

    yep

    yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees!! THIS.. it is a myth that you have to stop eating at 7p or any other arbitrary time... calories in and calories out.. period.. like someone else said - if you have calories remaining in the day - EAT!
  • chantwizzle83
    chantwizzle83 Posts: 82 Member
    You're in the same weight loss category as me. If I get hungry in the evening, I make a big salad. Theres virtually no calories, and no harm in it. A big bowl of mixed greens and a few little bits of veg (not carrots. Too much sugar), won't put you off track. And all the fibre really fills you up!
  • Peachy1962
    Peachy1962 Posts: 269 Member
    I always save some cals for tv snackin and sometimes will just do a large lunch and make snacks my dinner!! :smile:

    You plan your food intake with what you know your body will want!!! stay within your calorie range and ya all good!!!


    I am a low carb eater so I like things like String cheese and sugar free jello cups I found at walmart called Winky's!! lol they are tasty and only 25 cals a piece and only 1 carb!

    and 2 tablespoons of peanut butter eatin off a spoon very slowly is very satisfying!! :bigsmile:
  • chantwizzle83
    chantwizzle83 Posts: 82 Member
    Probably cuz most people think that starving themselves is the way to get "skinny". No one ever think about eating to be healthy. Or that more sensible meals in a moderate quantity are better than little meals with no substance.
  • blt0087
    blt0087 Posts: 115
    who told you you couldn't eat after 9? if you're hungry and have some calories left...EAT!


    I agree..do whatever works for you. I work till around 10 everynight (closer to midnights on the weekends), and don't actually get to sleep until around 2am. If I followed the "no food after 7 or 9" rule, that'd be like not eating anything else after lunch. Just adjust yourcalories according to your day.
  • jsmiel01
    jsmiel01 Posts: 5 Member
    Do you eat a lot of carbs at dinner? If I eat pasta and breads for dinner, or pizza, I am always hungry later. Cut those in half, and use the calories for an evening snack.
  • cbluna
    cbluna Posts: 26
    I pre-log my 1-2 squares of dark chocolate with my cup of tea for while I'm sitting in bed--this is not a cheat day thing, it's an every day, part of what I fit into my calories thing. Sometimes, knowing it's there and already pre-logged is what helps me ward off cravings at other times of the day.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,956 Member
    I eat up to 11:30pm each night. Just make sure you have calorie allotment for it.


    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • jjrichard83
    jjrichard83 Posts: 483 Member
    Your body has no idea what time it is. Eat anytime you are genuinely hungry.

    The only problem with that is its your brain telling you and not your stomach. Most don't know when they are really genuinely hungry and NEED nutrients.

    Drink water and see later....
  • harphy
    harphy Posts: 290 Member
    If you are hungry go and eat! But not chocolate and cookies. Try a banana or a cooked egg. Drink first than eat!
  • chrisdavey
    chrisdavey Posts: 9,834 Member
    If you are hungry go and eat! But not a banana or a cooked egg. Try chocolate and cookies . Drink first than eat!
  • NYgirl1990
    NYgirl1990 Posts: 180 Member
    Would eating something that is like 30 calories help? That is what I do if I get really hungry right before bed. I'll just have like 8 almonds or 4 strawberries. I don't think it's really going to hurt if you just have 30 extra calories.
  • serendipity57
    serendipity57 Posts: 153 Member
    I've always been a night eater, I just save my calories for what I want.
  • Nissi51
    Nissi51 Posts: 381 Member
    Eat!!!!!!

    Why the rule? It's bioscience that you shouldn't be eating after a certain time. Account for it in you daily intake and it before bed!! I do every night or I would be up starving and you need your sleep to lose weight!!!
  • UNLESS19
    UNLESS19 Posts: 118
    try eating later, i eat my evening meal around 6-6:30 and i usually don't meet my calories so i do the bad thing of eating as i get really hungry and how could i sleep if i'm starving. I don't go to bed until late too anyway, people will say go bed earlier and get up earlier but i go bed late and get up early, it's how i am.

    plus i look at it this way- it's worse not to eat! Even some dry toast, a yoghurt or some dry fruit would be good and less than 100 cal
    I've still lost weight even with eating late at night, eating out and the occasional night out too! So don't worry too much!
    Good luck and i've added you :)
    <3
  • cruzcrzyMarie
    cruzcrzyMarie Posts: 251 Member
    If it is true hunger, eat. Have some protein like a hard boiled egg or some cheese. If you know it's not true hunger, then push through it.