Evening Eating-

I know how it is. I work two jobs equaling about 55 hrs a week. I never want to cook anything, so I cook healthy things on the weekend and save them for the week. I also use those steam veggies that you just throw the package in the microwave for 5 minutes and they're done.

I make some hot tea and sip on it at night. Helps me relax and calms cravings. I know you said you don't want to do anything, but I also started crocheting in the evening to give me something to do while I watch TV (instead of eat).

When you just wanna grab some junk food, try a bag of baby carrots instead. They are naturally sweet, nice and crunchy, nothing to prepare, and they are good for you. A lot of pre packaged snacks just make me hungrier.

With a busy schedule and roaming hands in the fridge/pantry I think its best to:

Prepare healthy snacks that you can grab and go.

The obvious are veggies like mini carrots, celery, broccoli etc. But I get BORED with those so...

I like to make a variety of kabobs that I can grab and go... depending on my mood. and what I am hungry for. Here are a couple of examples:

I put melon, procciutto (very small amount a half of a thin slice per skewer)- fresh mozzarella (again small amount, I buy the fresh mini balls in the deli section and cut them into quarters -using 1 ball per skewer) and fresh basil. Delicious and sinfully good. :bigsmile:


Another favorite is sliced mango dusted with chile powder, grilled chicken, roasted poblano peppers all served on a stick.

For a quick and easy spread on english muffins or piece of warm bread - I purree some frozen spring peas (bring water to an almost boil, drop them in for a minute or two and then remove and drain before putting in the processor) lemon, fresh mint, a tiny bit of olive oil. Serve warm or cold. Top with parmasean cheese.

Bean salad: great to top on fresh raw spinach, put in a wrap, scramble with eggs, or just eat as is...
I tend to make a very large batch of this because I have a room mate who happens to love this.

White beans, black beans, red beans and 1 can of corn. Fresh chopped cilantro. A red bell pepper diced. A yellow bell pepper (if they arent too expensive), Purple onion, diced. 1 jalapeno (seeded and remove rib if you dont like spicy or you can substitute a poblano pepper) and one jar of your favorite salsa. Personally, I like the salsa verde by la victoria in the ethnic food section of your grocery story or any of the Fontena - especially their roasted tomatillo.

Try to plan your grocery store trips and purchase things for the week that you can make into other meals and pre-prepare most of them by doing all of your chopping etc - then when you get home from a long day - it wont seem like such a task to cook.

Good luck to you. If you need anymore ideas, let me know. I hope this gets you started.

hey! healthychoice fudge bars are awesome theyre 100 cals and they have fiber and protien! Kashi granola bars are pretty good also. Fiber1 chocolate chip bars are great for a sweet tooth cravingg theyre healthy and yummmy. Also vitatops are good you can get them at stop and shop theyre healthy muffins and brownies that taste great and are 100 cals!! =] Hope I helped!

I eat the Kraft Handi-Snacks butterscotch pudding cups - they are 80 calories, but it usuallys curbs it....chewing gum helps too

I can't stress enough how GOOOOOOOOD ultra lite Cool Whip is when you put it in the Freezer...its almost like a mousse ice cream. *drools*

And for me...if i need a little something extra, you can use those swiss hot choc. packets and poor a little over it and its like you have made yourself a little sundae.

Ok....you're all going to think I'm crazy...BUT...when I get a craving at night, I brush my teeth!!
I cannot stand the taste of anything after I brush them..YUCK

Hey...whatever works right???:laugh:

I kill the sweet tooth with sugar free jello- pudding with sugar free whipped cream or grab a Skinny Cow ice cream sandwich.

Buy yourself a mini trampoline, the cheap ones are as good as the expensive ones. Do 5 minutes bouncing in front of the tv. This way you are distracted whilst doing the exercise, you burn some calories and it will give you the extra energy you'll need to keep you going until bedtime.

I do better when my blood sugar is more under control (working on THAT again LOL).

For sweets, especially chocolate, I make the cook and serve sf chocolate pudding with skim milk. I add a tsp. of almond extract to it. I usually make two boxes at the same time and make 6 servings - it makes 8 1/2 cup but because DH likes to take it to work with him to go with his lunch I make it in a slightly larger serving size.

Another good recipe is Pumpkin Fluffy Pudding:

2 boxes instant vanilla pudding
4 cups skim milk
1 can pumpkin (NOT pie filling, just the plain pumpkin)
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon
1 sm. container ff cool whip, thawed.

Mix the pudding, milk, pumpkin and spice together for 2 minutes. Fold in the cool whip. Let set up in the fridge for an hour or two. Its good with a crumbled gingersnap on top.

I'm so glad I'm not alone in the late night eating thing.:ohwell: ... Before I really decided I had to start losing weight I think I was doing most of my calories at night....I would drink coffee in the am and not do breakfast and then a small lunch cuz I was busy...and than whammy my evenings were all about the food....AND snacks! sigh

I have done two things that have helped me so far...brushing teeth after my last snack or meal...I can't believe it works but it does! lol I was reading the other posts saying OMG its not just me!

And the second thing is putting on music and dancing for about 45 mins...about an hour after I eat dinner...that's when I usually like to just unwind and watch tv (when my son allows that lol) and will always go get some snacks...mindless eater here!

But now when I feel like just dropping and snacking....I "make" myself turn on the tunes and even when i really don't want to the music will get to me and I'll end up really getting into it....AND when I'm done I only want water Oh and an extra bonus my son will dance w/ me so I don't have that "mommy guilt" thing LOL

I think for me night time eating was and is the hardest thing to conquer and I wish you all the best w/ it...some great advice and tips too!
:flowerforyou:
Ali