Sleep eating - help!

newjeanbean
newjeanbean Posts: 30 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
It happened again last night. WHY?


Background: For a few years now I've noticed that occasionally I get out of bed sometime in the night and raid the fridge or pantry. I wake up with wrappers or empty containers next to my bed. Sometimes I have a very vague recollection of opening the fridge or waking up feeling hungry.

I work late in a bar and can come home anywhere from 2:00 am-4:00 am. I eat a proper breakfast, lunch and dinner and some snacks in between. But at work when it starts to near 10-11 p.m. I do start to feel hungry, but I don't like late night eating because throws off my schedule/ or I've already had my calorie intake/ or it's led to bad habits before.

Now for the last 5 days I've been on fruit and veggie smoothie routine. I feel great, I feel full up, I don't get horrible cravings for anything. But I woke up this morning with half eaten food next to my bed and it's really frustrating. It wasn't anything bad because right now I only have fruit and veggies in the house for this cleanse, so there were 3 half eaten carrots next to my bed (I have to laugh.... it just sounds crazy)

But has anyone had this problem? I'm happy it was only carrots but in the past it's been all kinds of things and even my roommates food which I felt horrible for after. How can you explain sleep eating to someone? I don't even explain, just apologize and try to replace what was missing.

Any input? Cheers...

Replies

  • maddyk91
    maddyk91 Posts: 193 Member
    Kind of sounds like something for a sleep therapist/doc. Sleepwalking and eating is usually a part of a larger sleep issue! Get it checked out!
  • BigT555
    BigT555 Posts: 2,067 Member
    thats wild. ive heard of sleep eating and talking but not sleep eating. i agree go get it checked out
  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,603 Member
    Nope. The one and only time I woke up and things did not appear to be the way they were when I remembered lying down, I had been very, very drunk the night before. I think that's what drinkers call a "blackout." I was very, very young and very, very drunk.

    Others filled in the blanks. Mostly.

    If it's happening and you have no explanation for it, I'd get to the doctor lickedy-split. That's not normal.
  • SingRunTing
    SingRunTing Posts: 2,604 Member
    I have ZERO experience with sleep eating, so take this advice with a grain of salt.

    Do you regularly work until 2-4 am (I'm assuming yes due to your post)? If you do, I would change up my eating routine and make one of my meals be when I get home from work right before bed. That way I wouldn't be hungry in the middle of the "night". If you can't stomach a whole meal right before bed, make it a heavier snack. Since this issue had been resolved and is reoccurring now, I'm guessing it's because you're hungry when you are sleeping.

    Like I said, no experience, but might be worth a try at least. I do second seeing a specialist though.

    ETA: I know you said that you didn't want to do this, but it's all I can think of.
  • newjeanbean
    newjeanbean Posts: 30 Member

    Do you regularly work until 2-4 am (I'm assuming yes due to your post)? If you do, I would change up my eating routine and make one of my meals be when I get home from work right before bed. That way I wouldn't be hungry in the middle of the "night". If you can't stomach a whole meal right before bed, make it a heavier snack. Since this issue had been resolved and is reoccurring now, I'm guessing it's because you're hungry when you are sleeping.

    Thank you. Maybe I could try something along those lines. I usually try to stretch dinner as late as possible, but 9 seems to be the latest time that I'm comfortable with. My hours at the bar can be kind of mad. That's why I try to keep my eating schedule as regular as possible or else it messes me up.

    Thanks for the advice :flowerforyou:
  • newjeanbean
    newjeanbean Posts: 30 Member
    Just found this... hmm i thought it might have been more common for some reason?

    http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/eating-your-sleep
  • VeryKatie
    VeryKatie Posts: 5,961 Member
    I agree with talking to a specialist.

    My sister used to sleep fold laundry...
  • kelleybean1
    kelleybean1 Posts: 312 Member
    My Mom had a terrible time with sleep walking. She was hypnotized for it several years ago. She hasn't had a problem since.
  • kelleybean1
    kelleybean1 Posts: 312 Member
    I agree with talking to a specialist.

    My sister used to sleep fold laundry...

    LOL Can I borrow your sister for a few years???
  • newjeanbean
    newjeanbean Posts: 30 Member

    My sister used to sleep fold laundry...

    No way? Hmmm that sounds more handy at least

Categories