Night Time Eating

jhwellness
jhwellness Posts: 156 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Been a part of MFP for about a year have lost weight and gained some back so getting frustrated. Exercise/activity level not an issues more I struggle with Eating at night or in the middle of the night. Looking for tips and any supportive friends struggling or having overcome this challenge.

Replies

  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    I don't deal well with being hungry at night.

    But I can survive the AM just fine. So I make it a point to not start eating till almost 1 PM.

    I easily eat 500-1000 calories after 10 PM at night on average- it's my biggest meal of the day. It's not uncommon for me to come home from dance class at 1030 and make 5 eggs- 4-6 pieces of bacon and pancakes for dinner and wash it down with tea and ice cream for dessert... it's not when you eat- it's just balancing your calories around your day and what works for you.

    If you like eating at night- just leave more room during your day to eat at night.
  • fit_gal
    fit_gal Posts: 167
    When you say in the middle of the night, are you waking up then? Or already awake? What's your tea/dinner like? Hows your eating during the day? I had a problem snacking on high calorie stuff during the evening in front of the telly. Now I make sure i stop myself reaching for the sweet things and head for some fruit. Its easier than I thought.
  • jhwellness
    jhwellness Posts: 156 Member
    That's helpful info. I usually workout late but can't go to sleep right away then I get hungry as all get out. I have tried eating more during the day. I think I am feeling deprived and it is going to be a hard habit to break. Thanks for the input it is much appreciated.
  • jhwellness
    jhwellness Posts: 156 Member
    Thank for the feedback I eat pretty well during the day but at night I seem to get crazy hungry. The fruit idea is a good one, I just got to discipline myself to chose better snacks if I eat at all. I have got into the habit of waking up at night and eating a sandwich or other snacks, bad food choices. I wish food intake wasn't so critical I also take medication for a hypoactive thyroid but the levels are within the normal range.
  • _Zardoz_
    _Zardoz_ Posts: 3,987 Member
    First thought is are you actually eating enough? If your overall calories are set too low this could be the reason for the late cravings. The other thing is maybe eat more of your calories later in the day in order to preempt the cravings?
  • DeadliftAddict
    DeadliftAddict Posts: 746 Member
    Is this causing you to lose your caloric deficit? That would be the only concern with eating at night. You won't gain weight just because you eat at night when you are hungry or at home. If that is your concern. You can eat as early or late as you want. The ONLY thing needed when it comes to losing weight is a caloric deficit. How you go about attaining that deficit is up to preference. Try saving calories for when you eat at night so you don't go over your calorie goal causing you to consume more calories than you need.
  • naamahgoddess
    naamahgoddess Posts: 14 Member
    This happened to me for years! You arent eating enough during the day. I like to save my largest, starchy meal for just before I go to bed. I know a ton of people are probably going to disagree, but this is the only thing that works for sleep eating ( for me at least ). Maybe if you arent comfortalbe with eating a large meal at night you can do 12 hour intermediate fasting? For ex, if you eat your last meal at 9:00, dont eat again until 9 AM. I struggled with this for 6 years
  • Bri_Becq
    Bri_Becq Posts: 146 Member
    I don't know but, calories can't tell time... so you just aren't eating enough maybe.
  • carfanman
    carfanman Posts: 271 Member
    A technique that I learned while in physical therapy was to have a snack around 8:30 pm to get me through the night. Typically they'd bring me some type of sandwhich or gram crackers with peanut butter.
  • dieselbyte
    dieselbyte Posts: 733 Member
    Is this causing you to lose your caloric deficit? That would be the only concern with eating at night. You won't gain weight just because you eat at night when you are hungry or at home. If that is your concern. You can eat as early or late as you want. The ONLY thing needed when it comes to losing weight is a caloric deficit. How you go about attaining that deficit is up to preference. Try saving calories for when you eat at night so you don't go over your calorie goal causing you to consume more calories than you need.

    ^This. If eating at night is pushing you over your goal, save your calories for later in the day. Eating more during the day may not solve your hunger issues at night, especially if you are working out later. Like @JoRocka, some do well with an intermittent fasting like protocol by not eating until the afternoon or within a specific feeding window.

    Also, despite what others have said/may say on this site, hunger is a poor indicator of caloric need. You being hungry (or not being hungry) isn't necessarily a sign that your body needs more (or less) calories per se.
  • ASKyle
    ASKyle Posts: 1,475 Member
    Thank for the feedback I eat pretty well during the day but at night I seem to get crazy hungry. The fruit idea is a good one, I just got to discipline myself to chose better snacks if I eat at all. I have got into the habit of waking up at night and eating a sandwich or other snacks, bad food choices. I wish food intake wasn't so critical I also take medication for a hypoactive thyroid but the levels are within the normal range.

    If you're more hungry at night, by all means eat more of your daily calorie goal at night.

    Meal timing is irrelevant.
  • katematt313
    katematt313 Posts: 624 Member
    Sometimes we eat a lot at night because we aren't getting enough during the day.

    I avoid night eating, because I notice that I lose more easily when I don't have calories after dinner.

    A good trick is to have chicken broth late at night. It is satisfying, feels like a meal, but can have as few as 5 calories (with bouillon cubes). It is high in sodium though, so I've started making my own stock. You can add shirataki noodles and eat it like its ramen, with only a few more calories.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    It is satisfying, feels like a meal, but can have as few as 5 calories (with bouillon cubes).

    I would love to live in a world where broth felt like a meal.
  • ruthejp13
    ruthejp13 Posts: 213 Member
    Thank for the feedback I eat pretty well during the day but at night I seem to get crazy hungry. The fruit idea is a good one, I just got to discipline myself to chose better snacks if I eat at all. I have got into the habit of waking up at night and eating a sandwich or other snacks, bad food choices. I wish food intake wasn't so critical I also take medication for a hypoactive thyroid but the levels are within the normal range.

    What if you try working out earlier? Also, try changing the time that you take your medication. I cannot tell you what a HUGE difference timing of medication has made for me over the years. As weight and exercised changed, so did the ideal dose and timing of medication.
  • mommyrunning
    mommyrunning Posts: 495 Member
    I am pregnant and wake up at night hungry. I keep crackers and a bottle of water by my bed. If I wake up I eat a couple crackers, drink some water, and go back to sleep. It usually satisfies the hunger enough to go back to sleep without much effort.
  • jhwellness
    jhwellness Posts: 156 Member
    I really appreciate everyone's comments and suggestions. I will work on applying some of the suggestions offered and see if any of it helps for sure. If anyone is so inclined please feel free to send me a friend request I could use all the support I can get. Again thanks again everyone./James

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