Crazy hunger at night, what do I do?

capriqueen
capriqueen Posts: 976 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I've been trying to stick to 1200-1400 calories per day, while my TDEE is about 1900. I do alright during the day but i'm just crazy ravenous at night? I wake up in the middle of the night and eat whatever comes to mind. I've already "spoiled" the first two days of my plan with just a 450 deficit on one day and 0 on the other. I can't go on like this, any pointers?
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Replies

  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    A 20% cut from your TDEE is 1520 - you could stand to eat more, especially if you're legitimately hungry. Maybe your body is trying to tell ya something. :smile:
  • astartig
    astartig Posts: 549 Member
    stock some low calorie munchie food that's easy to grab. air popcorn, fruits and veggies. that sort of thing. are you getting enough protein? make sure you have some of your calories in fat and protein, that's what keeps you full. other stuff passes right thru leaving you hungry. don't eat a lot of sugary things that will also trigger hunger pangs.
  • capriqueen
    capriqueen Posts: 976 Member
    @astartig: Earlier I would keep an apple/orange with me for the night, but recently, my doctor has kept me on certain dietary restrictions due to some allergies of mine, because of which I'm not allowed fruit! Also no sweets and sugary additives, so I don't eat a lot of sugar unless I've added it in my coffee.
  • capriqueen
    capriqueen Posts: 976 Member
    Bump?
  • littleburgy
    littleburgy Posts: 570 Member
    I like to have a slice of cheese on some swedish crispbread (knackerbrod) or a rice cake, sometimes I'll add just a little bit of lunchmeat as well.
  • imogen11
    imogen11 Posts: 15
    Eat more :-)
  • CubicalF13
    CubicalF13 Posts: 263 Member
    Usually the first thing to do if your hungry at night is drink some water. Sometimes its just the body needing to be hydrated. May have to assess room temperature also.

    If that fails, then try eating more high protein low calorie foods. Generally anything that is high in GI as it keeps you feeling fuller for longer.

    Examples:
    Apples, peanuts, low fat milk, milo, tuna, protein shakes, yogurt and non-fat cottage cheese.

    You could also consider medication or detoxing your system. I take ganoderma capsules before i sleep which are a food suppliment and aids in the strengthening of the immune system. This keeps me well rested all night.
  • helenrosemay
    helenrosemay Posts: 375 Member
    I noticed I was feeling hungry at night and was getting up to nibble on something. I upped my calories during the day and ate something containing protein on an evening. This has helped a little. I sometimes still feel hungry, but have a hot drink (herbal tea) or water instead.
  • taiyola
    taiyola Posts: 964 Member
    "I've been trying to stick to 1200-1400 calories per day, while my TDEE is about 1900. "

    You've written the answer yourself...

    :noway:
  • FrankiesSaysRelax
    FrankiesSaysRelax Posts: 403 Member
    "I've been trying to stick to 1200-1400 calories per day, while my TDEE is about 1900. "

    You've written the answer yourself...

    :noway:

    Yep. There is no reason for you to eat that low. Weight loss is a lot easier when you get to eat more.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,431 MFP Moderator
    Eat more, especially protein and fats. If you open your diary, we can look but I suspect its carb heavy.
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    You're hungry because you're not eating enough. A 15-20% deficit from your TDEE would give you a range of 1520-1615 per day. Enjoy those few hundred calories!

    And as others suggested, try eating more protein and healthy fats as those will keep you full longer.
  • MissDireWolf
    MissDireWolf Posts: 14 Member
    A packet of Chicken Boullion and a cup of hot water does the trick. You sip it slowly and by the time you finish you won't be as hungry. It's become my savoir while on Optifast.
  • slowbutsure2
    slowbutsure2 Posts: 110
    My advice is have some filling low carb stuff around that's nice, and allow for it in your calorie allowance. Wheyhey protein ice cream saves my life regularly. Also, a really nice tasting chocolate whey protein drink. I use PHD diet Belgian chocolate. Filling and delicious.
  • LoudmouthLee
    LoudmouthLee Posts: 358 Member
    A 20% cut from your TDEE is 1520 - you could stand to eat more, especially if you're legitimately hungry. Maybe your body is trying to tell ya something. :smile:

    This is correct.
  • capriqueen
    capriqueen Posts: 976 Member
    My advice is have some filling low carb stuff around that's nice, and allow for it in your calorie allowance. Wheyhey protein ice cream saves my life regularly. Also, a really nice tasting chocolate whey protein drink. I use PHD diet Belgian chocolate. Filling and delicious.

    Unfortunately, I can't find whey protein in my locality at a reasonable price. I can hold out until bedtime, but I specifically get up in the middle of the night to eat! Thanks for the suggestions everyone :)

    Last night I woke up so many times to eat I realised I'd eaten around 1250-1300 calories overnight! (after 12 am). That doesn't leave me with much for the day :sad: :sad: :sad:
  • Achrya
    Achrya Posts: 16,913 Member
    Options

    1. Stop eating at a 500-700 calorie cut and take in more food.

    2. Plan your day better.

    3. Both 1 and 2.
  • Lizajayne23
    Lizajayne23 Posts: 123 Member
    Are you sure it's real hunger? It sounds like something more going on if you're waking up all night and eating 1000+ calories on top of your daily intake. If nothing else, sleep deprivation can make you ravenous, at least is does me, and it's my biggest hurdle so that can't be helping your situation either. I'd definitely up the calorie allowance, but I don't think that will stop the 1200 calorie binging until you discover the root cause. Are you stressed, tired, depressed, suffering from insomnia, on medication?
  • capriqueen
    capriqueen Posts: 976 Member
    Well one reason i ate so much last night might be because I'd eaten 350 calories the whole of yesterday. (not a diet, I was a little under the weather). But I am insomniac and I've taken medication but it doesn't work. Even the off-the-counter sleep meds don't work. I've yet to try stuff like peppermint and sugarless gum to kill the urge of eating something though...
  • astartig
    astartig Posts: 549 Member
    with what you've described I wonder if you're really hungry or if it's something else you associate with hunger.

    I can't fall asleep when I am hungry. I find myself there I get a small piece of cheese and a couple high fiber crackers (dr kracker) ends up being about 125 calories total with a glass of water and I am good.

    how much water do you drink? I keep a 50 oz bottle of water at my side at all times. that I think helps a lot. I am also on a keto diet. (very low carb so the body stays in ketosis) the high fat and protein help keep hunger at bay. I get far hungrier when I eat normal amounts of carbs.
  • MyJourney1960
    MyJourney1960 Posts: 1,133 Member
    A 20% cut from your TDEE is 1520 - you could stand to eat more, especially if you're legitimately hungry. Maybe your body is trying to tell ya something. :smile:

    This is correct.
    it would help if we could see your food diary - it may be that you ened to change WHAT you are eating, not just HOW MUCH.

    so several people are suggesting you eat more every day - not 1200 cals, but 1520. have you tried to do that? it sounds like you are simply hungry.
  • capriqueen
    capriqueen Posts: 976 Member
    A 20% cut from your TDEE is 1520 - you could stand to eat more, especially if you're legitimately hungry. Maybe your body is trying to tell ya something. :smile:

    This is correct.
    it would help if we could see your food diary - it may be that you ened to change WHAT you are eating, not just HOW MUCH.

    so several people are suggesting you eat more every day - not 1200 cals, but 1520. have you tried to do that? it sounds like you are simply hungry.

    I don't log here, which is why my food diary is not visible. Typically, I have brown rice in the afternoon with vegetables and soy and oats at night. In the morning I just have a cup of coffee. I drink two cups of tea in the day. Sometimes I'll have a small serving (150 calories ) of brown rice in the night with lentils and vegetables.
    I have not tried eating 1520 calories, because I thought I would not be able to lose 10 pounds by December 31st if I do! :ohwell: :ohwell:
  • Pookylou
    Pookylou Posts: 988 Member
    A 20% cut from your TDEE is 1520 - you could stand to eat more, especially if you're legitimately hungry. Maybe your body is trying to tell ya something. :smile:

    This is correct.
    it would help if we could see your food diary - it may be that you ened to change WHAT you are eating, not just HOW MUCH.

    so several people are suggesting you eat more every day - not 1200 cals, but 1520. have you tried to do that? it sounds like you are simply hungry.

    I don't log here, which is why my food diary is not visible. Typically, I have brown rice in the afternoon with vegetables and soy and oats at night. In the morning I just have a cup of coffee. I drink two cups of tea in the day. Sometimes I'll have a small serving (150 calories ) of brown rice in the night with lentils and vegetables.
    I have not tried eating 1520 calories, because I thought I would not be able to lose 10 pounds by December 31st if I do! :ohwell: :ohwell:

    So all you eat in a day is: brown rice with veggies for lunch, occasionally rice and veggies/lentils in the evening, and oats and soy.... No wonder you are binging at night, you're starving!
  • dragoncake79
    dragoncake79 Posts: 23
    I used to be the same and now have a cup of warm soya milk before bedtime and I feel that sorts me out for the late evenings...

    I also paint my nails, pamper.. and try to not think about snacks ;)
  • reach4thestar
    reach4thestar Posts: 174 Member
    Your body is craving for nutritious food. ...you aren't getting enough proteins....with this diet you will lose the lean body mass and will probably start binge eating...up your calories to 1500, eat high protein moderate carb and good fat enriched food, workout strength train, drink loads of water and get atleast 8 hours of sleep...you will lose that weight...try some warm milk before going to bed..you will sleep better. ...
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,431 MFP Moderator
    A 20% cut from your TDEE is 1520 - you could stand to eat more, especially if you're legitimately hungry. Maybe your body is trying to tell ya something. :smile:

    This is correct.
    it would help if we could see your food diary - it may be that you ened to change WHAT you are eating, not just HOW MUCH.

    so several people are suggesting you eat more every day - not 1200 cals, but 1520. have you tried to do that? it sounds like you are simply hungry.

    I don't log here, which is why my food diary is not visible. Typically, I have brown rice in the afternoon with vegetables and soy and oats at night. In the morning I just have a cup of coffee. I drink two cups of tea in the day. Sometimes I'll have a small serving (150 calories ) of brown rice in the night with lentils and vegetables.
    I have not tried eating 1520 calories, because I thought I would not be able to lose 10 pounds by December 31st if I do! :ohwell: :ohwell:

    Do you log your food anywhere? Because the foods you described don't have much protein. Soy and lentils have some, but probably not the levels you need. BTW, you should probably be eating 100-120g of protein a day. Are you a vegetarian? If not, eat some meat. That will fill you up.
  • 3laine75
    3laine75 Posts: 3,069 Member
    i'm the same - i like to snack at night.

    i used to do the 6 small meals thing but since reading comments on here and doing a bit of research, i've realised meal timing doesn't really matter so i tend not to eat much till about 2pm (just coffee instead of breakfast etc.) - gives me more calories at night.
  • LoudmouthLee
    LoudmouthLee Posts: 358 Member
    Please don't get frustrated with me here... but you (a) aren't going to lose weight and (b) self sabotage by keeping this methodology that you have.

    You're paying no attention to "Net Calories". Your body burns a certain amount of calories just by living... this number (BMR) is based on your gender, age, height and activity level. There are many different ways to figure it out. Using myself for an example, I am a 5'8, 190 pound male, aged 33, is 1783. Rounding up for ease of numbers, we can call it 1800.

    This means, bottom line, I am burning 1800 calories by having my heart beat, my lungs breathe and my blood circulating.

    As I walk around (even for basic tasks such as walking, talking, etc), I am burning more calories. Depends on your normal activity level, you can find your approximate TDEE, which includes your exercise.

    For optimal health, the recommendation is 1/2 - 1g of protein per pound of body weight. You don't look like you're hitting that mark.

    When MFP says to make it to 1200, you're supposed to be NETTING that amount (calories you burn).
  • rosemary98
    rosemary98 Posts: 632
    I have cravings in the evening as well. i find 100 calorie popcorn very satisfying. even a couple of bags. that is only 200 calories...not bad for a snack. i also get big time peanut butter cravings. so i bought peanut flour...it has 1/4 the calories of regular peanut butter, high in protein, no salt, no additives, high in protein...and satisfying. (though i do add a little salt).
  • exmsde
    exmsde Posts: 85 Member
    You sure have a lot going on here. Increasing caloric intake and getting more protein does seem to be key, but even after you fix that nights are going to be a challenge. I always keep about 150 calories in reserve for a mid to late evening treat. Something I really like, even if it isn't the healthiest choice. With your smaller total intake budget you might want to lower that a bit but the principle is the same. Don't try to deprive yourself of something satisfying late in the evening. Make finding things that really satisfy you yet fit in your calorie budget a game. Then enjoy it and go to bed feeling like you've fed your cravings instead of letting them task you through the night.

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