Do you think nighttime munchies are a habit?
50452
Posts: 170 Member
I've read a recent thread regarding curbing the desire to eat after dinner. I'm not alone, it seems. Some of you gave very good suggestions, but I have to wonder...does anyone ever get past it? Is it a habit? Or part of you?
My family loves to regale one another with stories of when I was a baby. How I would get so excited in my high chair when I thought I was going to be fed. My entire body would stiffen and I'd start pounding on my high chair excitedly.
Was I born with a greater desire to eat? Is this an uphill battle for the rest of our lives?
Yesterday was my first day on myfitnesspal and I kept track of everything. Then, I tried to read myself to sleep before the inevitable desire for noshing came over me. It didn't go well. This is my hundredth time trying to change.
If I knew, for certain, that you get past this after x amount of time, I think it would help. Has anyone? How long did it take? What did it take?
My family loves to regale one another with stories of when I was a baby. How I would get so excited in my high chair when I thought I was going to be fed. My entire body would stiffen and I'd start pounding on my high chair excitedly.
Was I born with a greater desire to eat? Is this an uphill battle for the rest of our lives?
Yesterday was my first day on myfitnesspal and I kept track of everything. Then, I tried to read myself to sleep before the inevitable desire for noshing came over me. It didn't go well. This is my hundredth time trying to change.
If I knew, for certain, that you get past this after x amount of time, I think it would help. Has anyone? How long did it take? What did it take?
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Replies
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It's about overall calorie intake, not necessarily when you eat. Find a sustainable eating habit that works for you. I ate a large chunk of my calories in the evening during weight loss. It just worked better for me.
In terms of wanting to eat. Well, we survive by fueling ourselves, of course we want to eat. While I advocate moderation, there are foods that leave us better satiated and less likely to overeat then others. Start finding less calorie dense whole foods you can enjoy and meet your goals with. Something high in protein, fat, and fiber will help curb appetite. Again, the "when " to eat will come down to you.0 -
Eating at times you are used to is habitual behavior. You don't have to change the behavior, you just have to make sure you're not eating more than you need to.
I eat up to 11:30pm each night. I do skip breakfast and don't start eating till after 12pm basically every day.
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My favourite time to eat is at night and haven't tried to change it. I save calories for at night so I can eat and still lose weight
It really doesn't have to stop you losing weight and its worked for me for over a year 
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Pavlov's dogs....Eating at a certain time, or even pre-eating behaviors can trigger hunger.
No matter what time of day I drive home from work, I start getting hungry. I've also trained myself to eat breakfast when I never used to eat it, now I always wake up hungry. Eat when you want and what works best for you - the amount you consume will determine your success regarding weight loss.
Also - your body is used to eating x amount of calories. If you start to eat less than that, your body is going to object. It takes time and will power, but you will eventually get used to eating less. (Just make sure you have a healthy deficit).0 -
I also eat up to 11:30 -11:45pm almost every single night. After work has ALWAYS been when I eat the most my whole adult life and I will always continue to do so. The difference is now I eat different foods now. Instead of icecream at night have either yogart and/or oatmeal if I need something sweet. If I want something salty I have low fat cottage cheese as it has a high salt content. Plus I am getting protein from the yogart and cottage cheese. I eat probably every 60-90 minutes from the time I get home to the moment I go to bed.0
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When I decided to change my life I decided to give up the evening snacking. That didn't last long! It's ok to have it as long as it fits within your calories. I always save some for a bit of chocolate or a piece of toast.0
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I'd like to change the habit completely (if possible). It's so destructive for me. It is not as if an apple, or similar, will effectively supplant what I want to eat. At least, it hasn't worked in the past.
So after reading what everyone has written, I'm not sure if I should focus on changing the routine or accommodating it.
My family in France doesn't snack; or overeat, for that matter. It seems like what they do is so effective and I'm here to tell you, it's the best food I have ever eaten. They have two meals a day and some toast for breakfast. The meals are several courses of delicious food and there is always a cheese plate and dessert after the meal. They are all thin. They don't work out. Yet they are busy and in shape.
My cousin says they are slim because there is absolutely no snacking between meals and meal times are not played with. There is no eating after dinner.
It seems like my eating is habit (and laziness). Otherwise, isolated populations would be doing it too. Not that France is isolated, but they do seem to all be on the same page.0 -
I would just plan for it. Skip breakfast or have a light breakfast and lunch. So long as you are doing it in a way that does not cause you to exceed your calorie goal, you will be fine.0
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Yeah, it's a habit. I've got that one, too.
It's connected with night being my lazy-time. Also, it's the time I catch up on baking and TV. Smells of good food while sitting and watching a show pretty much guarantee I'll want a dessert, so I do my best to plan for it.0 -
My family in France doesn't snack; or overeat, for that matter. It seems like what they do is so effective and I'm here to tell you, it's the best food I have ever eaten. They have two meals a day and some toast for breakfast. The meals are several courses of delicious food and there is always a cheese plate and dessert after the meal. They are all thin. They don't work out. Yet they are busy and in shape.
My cousin says they are slim because there is absolutely no snacking between meals and meal times are not played with. There is no eating after dinner.
Fascinating insight. I have heard the French are able to maintain healthy weights. It all makes sense.
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Has anyone got past it?0
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I save the bulk of my calories as well. I try to have a decent sized supper and then I save room for a snack. Sometimes it's something small- but it's always something. Since it's not mindless noshing I actually look forward to it more and savor it. I was previously a big overeater in the evening. So, yes, you an get past it0
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It is a habitual behavior. There's nothing inherently wrong with it so long as you are hitting your targets. I enjoy a bit of desert pretty much every evening while I'm reading...there's nothing to get passed...I fit it into my day.
If you want to break the habit, it's all about will power...there's really no secret other than just not doing it. It takes about 30 days to break a habit.0 -
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Make room for some night snacking in your allotment.0
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The reason for my asking about getting past it is that it seems to always be the gateway to an insatiable binge. I do understand that weight loss is about calories vs expenditure, and time of day matters not. I'm just hoping that it can be eliminated since it seems to be at the crux of my failure.
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I like to eat late. I anticipate the nice food I'll have when the house is quiet and I can relax. I save about half my calories for after 10 PM.0
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I want to move to France now...lol.
How wonderful it must be to be that disciplined to prepare food in several courses and eat like that. Sounds like heaven!0 -
Has anyone got past it?
my worst habit (okay, one of my habits, they were all pretty bad LOL) was to eat cookies and milk in bed at night.
i started by reducing the number of cookies (2 instead of 6). then removed the cookies. then switched to 1% milk (was using 2%). now, im more likely to take my cup of tea to bed with me but sometimes (couple times a month) i will take a SMALL (4oz) cup of milk to the bedroom. no cookies.
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Has anyone got past it?
On a daily basis, no. I don't see a need to try since it isn't causing me a problem.
But, if you want to avoid snacking at night, find something to keep you busy until bedtime until you get a new habit established. If I'm cleaning, working, knitting, or out and about at night it's easy to ignore the urge to snack. Especially if there's nothing immediately available.
I've seen other people suggest brushing your teeth after dinner. I guess the taste of toothpaste kills the appetite for a snack.0 -
It is a habit. Also, I have a problem going to sleep hungry. And if I stay up very late, I am hungry, say I eat dinner at 7:30, if I go to bed at 10:00, I am fine. But, push to 12:00 am, I want food again, if I am still awake.
I drink warm herb tea at bedtime now. My favorite is Sleepytime Tea.0 -
I'd like to change the habit completely (if possible). It's so destructive for me. It is not as if an apple, or similar, will effectively supplant what I want to eat. At least, it hasn't worked in the past.
So after reading what everyone has written, I'm not sure if I should focus on changing the routine or accommodating it.
My family in France doesn't snack; or overeat, for that matter. It seems like what they do is so effective and I'm here to tell you, it's the best food I have ever eaten. They have two meals a day and some toast for breakfast. The meals are several courses of delicious food and there is always a cheese plate and dessert after the meal. They are all thin. They don't work out. Yet they are busy and in shape.
My cousin says they are slim because there is absolutely no snacking between meals and meal times are not played with. There is no eating after dinner.
It seems like my eating is habit (and laziness). Otherwise, isolated populations would be doing it too. Not that France is isolated, but they do seem to all be on the same page.
I used to mindlessly snack after dinner. I eat a protein bar right after dinner for "dessert" and it completely stopped my snacking. I feel (almost overly) full, so I don't even want to snack at all anymore.0 -
You all have some great suggestions.
Thank you.0
This discussion has been closed.
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