I can't control my evening snacking ):

mandybullock2015
mandybullock2015 Posts: 19 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I'm fine all day, I can easily eat well and healthy then when I get home from work I have a nice healthy and filling dinner where I'm NOT hungry after but then we sit down for the evening or get in bed and watch TVs, then it all go to pot and I can't help snacking or I get the most overwhelming craving for rubbish food and I fail

All my hardworking ruined every night ):

How can I stop this???
«1

Replies

  • williammuney
    williammuney Posts: 2,895 Member
    Eat a huge chocolate bar for lunch it works for me
  • emdeesea
    emdeesea Posts: 1,823 Member
    How many calories do you take in per day (before the snacking, I mean).
  • lilmrshaynes
    lilmrshaynes Posts: 17 Member
    I wish I had an answer for you, because I am in the exact same boat. I will do great all day, then after dinner and before bed I just feel like I ruin it all with snacking. I want chips or something sweet usually. It makes me so mad! I have done a lot better than what I used to be because I'm more conscious of what I'm doing, but I still slip even though I know I'm ruining everything.
  • R3b3cc4Whit
    R3b3cc4Whit Posts: 7 Member
    Hi, I'm exactly the same and it's so hard to control! I have recently started having a glass of warm almond milk mixed with low cal hot chocolate at bedtime. So far so good with this.
  • amfmmama
    amfmmama Posts: 1,420 Member
    yep....this.
  • JanineFoster
    JanineFoster Posts: 14 Member
    I was in the same way with my out of control evening snacking. Turns out I wasn't eating enough protein during the day. A good friend of mine put me on to the Herbalife Protein beverage mix (peach mango is my favorite). I just mix up a glass of this and at 70 caleries it gives me 15 grams of protein. Solved my problem.
  • queenliz99
    queenliz99 Posts: 15,317 Member
    Save some calories through out the day for some snacking in the evening or find something to keep your hands busy. I like knitting.
  • Jruzer
    Jruzer Posts: 3,501 Member
    - Find something else to do in the evenings besides sitting in front of the TV
    - Change up when and how much you eat so you've got some free calories available in the evening. I usually allot myself 1000 kcal or more to have after 10 PM.
  • mmarshall74
    mmarshall74 Posts: 183 Member
    I have the same problem and realized that TV is a trigger for my over-eating. I try to do something other than watching TV late in the evening. Years of overeating while watching TV has associated them in my brain and it's going to take a while to re-program. Increasing my fat macro during the day helped some, along with protein. Carbs are not my friend at that time of the night!
  • Gamliela
    Gamliela Posts: 2,468 Member
    I had that for years. Odd, but the solution was breakfast. I used to feel I was better off waiting to eat until lunch, then evenings would be having a large snack. With breakfast I don't have evening cravings. I was really surprised to find this out about myself. Of course, it may not apply to you at all, for all I know you are rising to eggs, waffles and bacon plus toast and still have that urge to snack at night. Anyway, all th best as you find your own solutions and your happy place. :)
  • 2011rocket3touring
    2011rocket3touring Posts: 1,346 Member
    Drop the TV watching or do it while having dinner. My wife and I will watch a show during dinner and then I'll go do something...
    ...or put a exercise bike in from of the TV.
  • DearestWinter
    DearestWinter Posts: 595 Member
    I use a convoluted process for snacking. All snacks are in cupboards. I only take out a (weighed) portion of the snack and I will log it in MFP before I put it in my mouth. (I know some advocate weighing portions in advance and putting them in baggies but I prefer the extra time it takes to weigh it each time I want it.) For some foods I end up going back to the kitchen several times. I will often set a timer or tell myself "if you're still craving it at 8pm then you can have it" or I might say "you can have this for breakfast tomorrow" or "you can eat an apple instead". Basically anything that makes snacking a nuisance and less mindless.
  • cnbbnc
    cnbbnc Posts: 1,267 Member
    I love eating at night, so I structure my calories such that I have enough for after dinner snacks.
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    Before I sit down to watch TV, I get a big glass of ice water.....you can make it a little special with some lime wedges or whatever. Then I do something else (anything else) for a little bit of distraction. Knitting, solitaire, adult coloring book.....anything to keep your hands busy.
  • kissedbythesunshine
    kissedbythesunshine Posts: 416 Member
    I save my calories for night. I skip breakfast, have a small lunch or snack, then eat my calories for dinner and evening snacks. I can not eat all day and snack all night and expect to lose weight.
  • blonde20fan
    blonde20fan Posts: 233 Member
    I have that problem but I have been trying tricks that seem to help. I save 200 calories for a snack. Usually air popped popcorn and a piece of fruit. I have been going to sleep earlier and making a kitchen closed at 9pm rule (in my head). I am breaking my food in bed routine by banning food from the bedroom.
  • genpopadopolous
    genpopadopolous Posts: 411 Member
    I am/was the same way.

    One thing that is kind of helping me is saving diet soda for the evenings when I REALLY want a snack- pour it over a ton of ice, and stretch while I sip it and watch tv. It gives me the sweet flavor, and the stretching seems to help with the need to be doing something mindless in front of the tv.

    Plus, it feels nice!

    It's still tough for me but that really seems to be helping.
  • raychl88
    raychl88 Posts: 12 Member
    I make myself a cup of herbal tea (or two) to have while watching TV after dinner. I know that's not the same as an actual snack to munch on, but sipping away slowly is still satisfying. Or just save yourself enough calories throughout the day to fit snacks in the evening...and portion out a reasonable amount in a separate bowl, enjoy it, and don't go back for more.
  • Shanel0916
    Shanel0916 Posts: 586 Member
    I agree with the tea thing it works sometimes, I'm with ya I look for "junk" to eat every night after dinner (and after the kids are sleep) lol.
  • Queenmunchy
    Queenmunchy Posts: 3,380 Member
    If you have no problem during the day, you can start tracking from 5pm to 5pm instead. It makes no difference, but it's a little mind trick so that you make sure you are within your goals. Just use your daytime willpower by staying within the calories leftover from the previous night.
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    Get rid of the "rubbish" you are snacking on. If it's not there, you can't eat it.
    I like to have ONE square of an 86% cacao chocolate bar after dinner. It's only 60 calories, very satisfying, and even has some health benefits.
  • dopeysmelly
    dopeysmelly Posts: 1,390 Member
    When I get the evening munchies I just go straight to bed with a book. I won't eat/drink in bed because of crumbs and spills and I love reading more than watching TV.

    I used to do needlepoint (haven't done it for a while), which keeps both hands busy and you can't have greasy fingers. An alternative might be to paint your nails. I think anything which keeps both hands occupied might work.

    Willpower is a myth. You have to think in terms of structuring new habits which take the place of old ones.
  • vivmom2014
    vivmom2014 Posts: 1,649 Member
    I'm experimenting with pre-logging the day. I see what I can have while watching t.v. - yippee! Somehow seeing it written is keeping me compliant, and I'm not reaching for more. So schedule a favorite snack.
  • evinston
    evinston Posts: 31 Member
    DearestWinter wrote: »
    I use a convoluted process for snacking. All snacks are in cupboards. I only take out a (weighed) portion of the snack and I will log it in MFP before I put it in my mouth. (I know some advocate weighing portions in advance and putting them in baggies but I prefer the extra time it takes to weigh it each time I want it.) For some foods I end up going back to the kitchen several times. I will often set a timer or tell myself "if you're still craving it at 8pm then you can have it" or I might say "you can have this for breakfast tomorrow" or "you can eat an apple instead". Basically anything that makes snacking a nuisance and less mindless.

    I LOVE the idea of setting a timer...I'm going to give that a go. Timer, glass of water or tea, and if I still want it when the timer goes off, I'll have it. Thanks for that tip!!!!
  • brb_2013
    brb_2013 Posts: 1,197 Member
    I'm the same, basically I believe we need to replace this habit of snacking. "Not hungry" to me, means I did fine all day I'm just stuck in a habit. I don't think protein is my problem, neither is deprivation because I eat junk all the time. It's a time of day eating habit that needs breaking or replacing.

    I do it every night, eat to my 1500 calorie goal (including dinner, I prelog the whole day) and I'm satisfied- it's just a habit. Seriously, weeks on end undone by evening munchies. Tonight I have a plan. I'm using a text message scheduler to send myself texts at my usual snack times and insisting I have a cup of tea. It's flavorful and I have tons of options, and I do enjoy tea so I'm hoping I can work hard at establishing a cup of tea as I relax in the evening.

    Here's to baby steps. I have set a goal to avoid those evening snacks for 5 days. After 5, I have a planned treat to add into my day. Next week the goal will be 7 days and just build from there until my treats are only planned events and not mindless munchies.
  • km8907
    km8907 Posts: 3,861 Member
    This helps me at least. 30 minutes after dinner I'll brush my teeth and floss. Remember that proper flossing takes a few minutes, and cavities cost a lot of money to fix. That piece of cake looks delicious, but I already flossed and can't be bothered to do it again, so I lose my appetite lol.
  • ubermofish
    ubermofish Posts: 102 Member
    lorrpb wrote: »
    Get rid of the "rubbish" you are snacking on. If it's not there, you can't eat it.
    I like to have ONE square of an 86% cacao chocolate bar after dinner. It's only 60 calories, very satisfying, and even has some health benefits.

    Yup. Ditch the garbage food and keep some cut up veggies in bags in the fridge. You can take 200g of cauliflower, 100g of broccoli, and 150g of celery, plus 2oz of fat free ranch, and only consume 158 calories. That is a POUND OF VEGETABLES that will keep you extremely full with next to no impact on your bottom line.
  • geneticsteacher
    geneticsteacher Posts: 623 Member
    I save 200-300 calories for an evening snack. I usually look at what macro goals I have not met, select something that fits, and log it BEFORE I eat it.
  • jammer1963
    jammer1963 Posts: 106 Member
    mandybullock2015 wrote: »
    I'm fine all day, I can easily eat well and healthy then when I get home from work I have a nice healthy and filling dinner where I'm NOT hungry after but then we sit down for the evening or get in bed and watch TVs, then it all go to pot and I can't help snacking or I get the most overwhelming craving for rubbish food and I fail

    All my hardworking ruined every night ):

    How can I stop this???

    I think a small snack is important after dinner. I don't know what time you eat dinner, but I'm a early diner. I eat about 5-5:30 and then I'll have a healthy snack around 7pm, whether I'm hungry or not. My snack is usually a slice of Bimbo bread with 2-tbsp of peanut butter. It's a nice balance of carbs and protein which keeps me going until bed time, which is around 10pm. I don't know if your a coffee drinker but I also find that a cup of coffee will also curb my appetite for about 2-hrs.

Categories