Help With Late Night Snacking

I am the SAME way! I generally eat same foods/dishes for most meals so my calories are roughly the same every day but I tend to be a big snacker in the evening (ice cream, Cheez It crackers, and popcorn are my biggies). I actually found that since moving in with my boyfriend back in January my evening snacking has gone down considerably. I still eat a small dish of ice cream most nights but no more eating out of the carton, and whereas a box of crackers would last 1 week or less, that same box now lasts 4+ weeks. I think part of it is I'm so embarrassed about the binges that I don't want him to see me eat like that, and also I'm not as bored in the evenings as I was when we weren't together. Doing an activity helps, like reading, doing puzzles, and taking an evening walk/bike ride.

I hear you. For too long I would skimp eating during the day, eat a large dinner and then snack at night. Mostly all unhealthy food, chips, ice cream, chocolate etc. I've only been at this since Friday and haven't snacked at night since, but I'm having a hard time going to sleep. It's like my stomach won't let me unless it's full of yummies. Really hope this passes as my body gets use to eating 3 healthy meals a day.

I have the opposite problem with the boyfriend. Almost all the weight I've gained came after he moved in. He likes his treats at night but he has a labor intensive job and way higher metabolism so he doesn't gain a pound. It's hard to not eat when he is eating all this stuff and it's on the coffee table in front of you.

I agree that doing something else helps a lot. Also drink water. Plus, if you plan for the calories, it's okay to have a snack. Just keep it small.

For me it is just a habit. I snack and my body knows when it is time to appear in the kitchen. It is so subconsciously done now that I will blink my eyes and wonder how that rice pudding appeared in my hand and why half the container is already gone.

I started hanging a sign on my fridge door--right by the handles so I have to move it aside before I open it (I need to do that to my pantry too). One side says 'Open--what are you eating today?' and the other side says 'Closed--will be back at 8 am' It is a good reminder for me as I start to move it of what I am doing. Honestly it has helped some, but I still find times where I push it aside. I challenged my husband to keep me accountable, and vice versa. Last night I got up in the middle of a movie and walked into the kitchen, ignored the sign and reached for a cupcake from our housewarming party. When I closed the door he was standing behind me--and I immediately put the cupcake back.

It's a hard habit to break--8 pm strikes and all I want is something sweet from the kitchen. So instead I might sip a small glass of lemonade or if I really want something, I try fruit. Or I cut my sweet portions in half so I can still get the subconscious trigger that I got my sweet snack, but I am not sacrificing my calories, weight for it. Plus waking up in the morning without the guilty 'OMG I can't believe I did that' feels so much better

I always save calories for a treat between dinner and bedtime. I know I'm going to want it so I account for it. I also portion it out so I'm not eating from the Costco sized bag of cheese and caramel popcorn that will somehow become empty so quickly. The trick is to stop when you've eaten what you've allotted yourself.