Crazy hungry at night

Jolenepiche
Jolenepiche Posts: 33 Member
edited November 2024 in Food and Nutrition
Hey guys,

Here’s a question: I bike to and from work every day and it’s a 1h ride each way. I get so hungry at night, it’s crazy. After dinner I can easily destroy my pantry/fridge and eat an extra 400 calories. I don’t keep junk in the house, so it’s mostly dates, nuts, crackers, fruits ... anything!

So am I not eating enough or not well enough.

Any ideas on what to eat at work as a pre bike home snack?

Thanks :)

Replies

  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,562 Member
    What is your calorie goal? What are your stats?
  • vallary14
    vallary14 Posts: 215 Member
    Maybe keep the dates at work and eat a couple before you head home? I keep some in my locker at work and have two on a break. Definitely measure those late night snacks though. Do you like yogurt or cottage cheese? Those are my go to snacks if I feel like I really need /want something before bed.
  • gamerbabe14
    gamerbabe14 Posts: 876 Member
    Change your eating schedule: preplan your meals and save the bulk of your calories for dinner.
  • kimny72
    kimny72 Posts: 16,011 Member
    Are you logging your biking and eating back some of those calories?
    Is this 400 cals putting you over your calorie goal?
    How much of a deficit are you aiming for?
    Are you getting enough protein and fat?
  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
    edited May 2018
    Is it a problem to eat after dinner, instead of before biking home? Are you eating too little or too much - are you losing or gaining weight unintentionally? What do you want to eat?
  • EllieTheLondoner
    EllieTheLondoner Posts: 33 Member
    Just a different line of thought to look at, are you heavy on carbs/sugar that's causing you to crash in the evenings? I cut out all added sugar and eat low-ish carb (ie, carbs through veggies) and that late night hunger vanished.

    Oh, apart from when I eat too few kcals in the day, then I wake up in the middle of the night from hunger! Learnt from that mistake!
  • Jolenepiche
    Jolenepiche Posts: 33 Member

    Is it a problem to eat after dinner, instead of before biking home? Are you eating too little or too much - are you losing or gaining weight unintentionally? What do you want to eat?

    It is not a problem it’s just that I feel sick while biking home if I eat too much before ! I could eat a small snack maybe 30 min before leaving.

    My calorie intake pre workout is 1300 daily. I have put on 3 pounds in 3 weeks but it’s possibly muscle. After logging my biking and my crazy eating I am still in a deficit of 400 calories.

    I planned a bigger lunch today adding a piece of cheese and crackers and a ton of veggies on top of my regular chicken/tuna salad .

    Jolene
  • Redordeadhead
    Redordeadhead Posts: 1,188 Member
    It's not muscle. It's probably water retention.

    Is 1300 an appropriate goal for you? It might be too little if you don't have a lot of weight to lose and are not very short.
  • Jolenepiche
    Jolenepiche Posts: 33 Member
    I lost 25 pounds so far since November and want to lose another 15-20. I am 5 ft 6 . Honestly I don’t know what to do!
    It's not muscle. It's probably water retention.

    Is 1300 an appropriate goal for you? It might be too little if you don't have a lot of weight to lose and are not very short.

  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    Is it a problem to eat after dinner, instead of before biking home? Are you eating too little or too much - are you losing or gaining weight unintentionally? What do you want to eat?

    It is not a problem it’s just that I feel sick while biking home if I eat too much before ! I could eat a small snack maybe 30 min before leaving.

    My calorie intake pre workout is 1300 daily. I have put on 3 pounds in 3 weeks but it’s possibly muscle. After logging my biking and my crazy eating I am still in a deficit of 400 calories.

    I planned a bigger lunch today adding a piece of cheese and crackers and a ton of veggies on top of my regular chicken/tuna salad .

    Jolene

    if after 'crazy eating' you're still 400 under then you just need to eat more full stop.

    how do you measure calorie burn for cycling?
  • Jolenepiche
    Jolenepiche Posts: 33 Member
    Is it a problem to eat after dinner, instead of before biking home? Are you eating too little or too much - are you losing or gaining weight unintentionally? What do you want to eat?

    It is not a problem it’s just that I feel sick while biking home if I eat too much before ! I could eat a small snack maybe 30 min before leaving.

    My calorie intake pre workout is 1300 daily. I have put on 3 pounds in 3 weeks but it’s possibly muscle. After logging my biking and my crazy eating I am still in a deficit of 400 calories.

    I planned a bigger lunch today adding a piece of cheese and crackers and a ton of veggies on top of my regular chicken/tuna salad .

    Jolene

    if after 'crazy eating' you're still 400 under then you just need to eat more full stop.

    how do you measure calorie burn for cycling?

    I have a Fitbit to track my exercise and I have a odometer on my bike so I log it here with my speed/minutes. I find that my Fitbit is lower on calorie burn than this app.
  • Jolenepiche
    Jolenepiche Posts: 33 Member

    Francl27 wrote: »
    You've lost 25 lbs, with 20 lbs to lose, it's really ok to eat a bit more. If you feel that you ate 'everything' and still have a 400 calorie deficit, that's your problem right there. It's much harder to keep a bigger deficit when you have less to lose because you get so HUNGRY. Seriously, change your goal to 1500 pre-workout at this point. You will lose slower, but it will be much more manageable.

    For a pre-bike snack, I'd honestly have a granola/energy bar and fruit or something. You want the carbs for energy. My snack of choice is some kind of cheese with fruit, but I don't know if that would tide you over. Or yes, eat more at lunch.

    The 3 lbs you gained at probably water, I wouldn't even worry about it.

    Thanks! Isn’t a calorie deficit what we want at the end of the day. Yesterday I ate 1500 calories and had a deficit of almost 500 calories.

    I brought veggies and cheese for my pre bike snack. We’ll see how that goes!

    I was hungry last night but I had like 4 cups of air popped popcorn. I thought the dates were too sugary !
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    Francl27 wrote: »
    You've lost 25 lbs, with 20 lbs to lose, it's really ok to eat a bit more. If you feel that you ate 'everything' and still have a 400 calorie deficit, that's your problem right there. It's much harder to keep a bigger deficit when you have less to lose because you get so HUNGRY. Seriously, change your goal to 1500 pre-workout at this point. You will lose slower, but it will be much more manageable.

    For a pre-bike snack, I'd honestly have a granola/energy bar and fruit or something. You want the carbs for energy. My snack of choice is some kind of cheese with fruit, but I don't know if that would tide you over. Or yes, eat more at lunch.

    The 3 lbs you gained at probably water, I wouldn't even worry about it.

    Thanks! Isn’t a calorie deficit what we want at the end of the day. Yesterday I ate 1500 calories and had a deficit of almost 500 calories.

    I brought veggies and cheese for my pre bike snack. We’ll see how that goes!

    I was hungry last night but I had like 4 cups of air popped popcorn. I thought the dates were too sugary !

    The calories that MFP gives you includes a deficit. You should net your calorie goal, and make sure it's appropriate to start with.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    Francl27 wrote: »
    You've lost 25 lbs, with 20 lbs to lose, it's really ok to eat a bit more. If you feel that you ate 'everything' and still have a 400 calorie deficit, that's your problem right there. It's much harder to keep a bigger deficit when you have less to lose because you get so HUNGRY. Seriously, change your goal to 1500 pre-workout at this point. You will lose slower, but it will be much more manageable.

    For a pre-bike snack, I'd honestly have a granola/energy bar and fruit or something. You want the carbs for energy. My snack of choice is some kind of cheese with fruit, but I don't know if that would tide you over. Or yes, eat more at lunch.

    The 3 lbs you gained at probably water, I wouldn't even worry about it.

    Thanks! Isn’t a calorie deficit what we want at the end of the day. Yesterday I ate 1500 calories and had a deficit of almost 500 calories.

    I brought veggies and cheese for my pre bike snack. We’ll see how that goes!

    I was hungry last night but I had like 4 cups of air popped popcorn. I thought the dates were too sugary !

    The calories that MFP gives you includes a deficit. You should net your calorie goal, and make sure it's appropriate to start with.

    This. When you select your goal on MFP, it already includes a deficit. If you pick the 'lose 1 lb a week' setting, it will be 500 calories. So if you still have 500 calories at the end of the day, that's actually a 1000 deficit... which is way too high for what you want to lose assuming that you're logging accurately.

    Now, 25 lbs since November is about 1 lb a week, so that's why I advised to only add 200 calories a day. I'm not sure how accurate your logging is, but it's easy to find out... If you have MFP set on 'maintaining your weight' and kept a 500 deficit every day, you're good. If you have MFP set on 'lose 1 lb a week' and kept a 500 extra deficit every day, and only lost 1 lb a week, it means you're eating more than you think anyway.

    Double check your MFP settings.
  • WilmaValley
    WilmaValley Posts: 1,092 Member
    Adding protein consistently throughout the day will help with excessive appetite. Good luck!!!
  • MelissaPhippsFeagins
    MelissaPhippsFeagins Posts: 8,063 Member
    Tomorrow (tomorrow!!!) I can start biking to work again because my kids are out of school and I don't have anyone else to drive. I haven't "tuned up" my bike for summer yet, it's more likely to be next week.

    Anyway, I will add 100 calories to my daily goal and eat it in full fat Greek yogurt before I ride home. (I am on the road for about 45 minutes/day) This works for me. Your mileage may vary. Good luck.
  • Marsia2
    Marsia2 Posts: 1 Member
    If you get tired of yogurt, a lot of athletes make a drink with whey protein because your body digests it quickly as opposed to something like red meat that can take many hours to digest and absorb the protein. Happy biking!
  • Jolenepiche
    Jolenepiche Posts: 33 Member
    Francl27 wrote: »
    Francl27 wrote: »
    You've lost 25 lbs, with 20 lbs to lose, it's really ok to eat a bit more. If you feel that you ate 'everything' and still have a 400 calorie deficit, that's your problem right there. It's much harder to keep a bigger deficit when you have less to lose because you get so HUNGRY. Seriously, change your goal to 1500 pre-workout at this point. You will lose slower, but it will be much more manageable.

    For a pre-bike snack, I'd honestly have a granola/energy bar and fruit or something. You want the carbs for energy. My snack of choice is some kind of cheese with fruit, but I don't know if that would tide you over. Or yes, eat more at lunch.

    The 3 lbs you gained at probably water, I wouldn't even worry about it.

    Thanks! Isn’t a calorie deficit what we want at the end of the day. Yesterday I ate 1500 calories and had a deficit of almost 500 calories.

    I brought veggies and cheese for my pre bike snack. We’ll see how that goes!

    I was hungry last night but I had like 4 cups of air popped popcorn. I thought the dates were too sugary !

    The calories that MFP gives you includes a deficit. You should net your calorie goal, and make sure it's appropriate to start with.

    This. When you select your goal on MFP, it already includes a deficit. If you pick the 'lose 1 lb a week' setting, it will be 500 calories. So if you still have 500 calories at the end of the day, that's actually a 1000 deficit... which is way too high for what you want to lose assuming that you're logging accurately.

    Now, 25 lbs since November is about 1 lb a week, so that's why I advised to only add 200 calories a day. I'm not sure how accurate your logging is, but it's easy to find out... If you have MFP set on 'maintaining your weight' and kept a 500 deficit every day, you're good. If you have MFP set on 'lose 1 lb a week' and kept a 500 extra deficit every day, and only lost 1 lb a week, it means you're eating more than you think anyway.

    Double check your MFP settings.

    Ahhhhhh! I had no idea. I saw a -486 at the end of my day and thought that was it.

    Yeah my weight loss was steady but slow. Now it’s just stalled and well up 3 pounds from last week. I weigh myself tomorrow so we will see!
  • DancingMoosie
    DancingMoosie Posts: 8,619 Member
    I would try an apple or banana, or even a cliff bar if you need more calories. A slightly larger lunch with extra protein might also help.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    Francl27 wrote: »
    Francl27 wrote: »
    You've lost 25 lbs, with 20 lbs to lose, it's really ok to eat a bit more. If you feel that you ate 'everything' and still have a 400 calorie deficit, that's your problem right there. It's much harder to keep a bigger deficit when you have less to lose because you get so HUNGRY. Seriously, change your goal to 1500 pre-workout at this point. You will lose slower, but it will be much more manageable.

    For a pre-bike snack, I'd honestly have a granola/energy bar and fruit or something. You want the carbs for energy. My snack of choice is some kind of cheese with fruit, but I don't know if that would tide you over. Or yes, eat more at lunch.

    The 3 lbs you gained at probably water, I wouldn't even worry about it.

    Thanks! Isn’t a calorie deficit what we want at the end of the day. Yesterday I ate 1500 calories and had a deficit of almost 500 calories.

    I brought veggies and cheese for my pre bike snack. We’ll see how that goes!

    I was hungry last night but I had like 4 cups of air popped popcorn. I thought the dates were too sugary !

    The calories that MFP gives you includes a deficit. You should net your calorie goal, and make sure it's appropriate to start with.

    This. When you select your goal on MFP, it already includes a deficit. If you pick the 'lose 1 lb a week' setting, it will be 500 calories. So if you still have 500 calories at the end of the day, that's actually a 1000 deficit... which is way too high for what you want to lose assuming that you're logging accurately.

    Now, 25 lbs since November is about 1 lb a week, so that's why I advised to only add 200 calories a day. I'm not sure how accurate your logging is, but it's easy to find out... If you have MFP set on 'maintaining your weight' and kept a 500 deficit every day, you're good. If you have MFP set on 'lose 1 lb a week' and kept a 500 extra deficit every day, and only lost 1 lb a week, it means you're eating more than you think anyway.

    Double check your MFP settings.

    Ahhhhhh! I had no idea. I saw a -486 at the end of my day and thought that was it.

    Yeah my weight loss was steady but slow. Now it’s just stalled and well up 3 pounds from last week. I weigh myself tomorrow so we will see!

    If you're at -456 at the end of the day (and the number is red), it means you're eating at maintenance (assuming a 1 lb a week setting).

    I'm confused.
  • Jolenepiche
    Jolenepiche Posts: 33 Member
    Francl27 wrote: »
    Francl27 wrote: »
    Francl27 wrote: »
    You've lost 25 lbs, with 20 lbs to lose, it's really ok to eat a bit more. If you feel that you ate 'everything' and still have a 400 calorie deficit, that's your problem right there. It's much harder to keep a bigger deficit when you have less to lose because you get so HUNGRY. Seriously, change your goal to 1500 pre-workout at this point. You will lose slower, but it will be much more manageable.

    For a pre-bike snack, I'd honestly have a granola/energy bar and fruit or something. You want the carbs for energy. My snack of choice is some kind of cheese with fruit, but I don't know if that would tide you over. Or yes, eat more at lunch.

    The 3 lbs you gained at probably water, I wouldn't even worry about it.

    Thanks! Isn’t a calorie deficit what we want at the end of the day. Yesterday I ate 1500 calories and had a deficit of almost 500 calories.

    I brought veggies and cheese for my pre bike snack. We’ll see how that goes!

    I was hungry last night but I had like 4 cups of air popped popcorn. I thought the dates were too sugary !

    The calories that MFP gives you includes a deficit. You should net your calorie goal, and make sure it's appropriate to start with.

    This. When you select your goal on MFP, it already includes a deficit. If you pick the 'lose 1 lb a week' setting, it will be 500 calories. So if you still have 500 calories at the end of the day, that's actually a 1000 deficit... which is way too high for what you want to lose assuming that you're logging accurately.

    Now, 25 lbs since November is about 1 lb a week, so that's why I advised to only add 200 calories a day. I'm not sure how accurate your logging is, but it's easy to find out... If you have MFP set on 'maintaining your weight' and kept a 500 deficit every day, you're good. If you have MFP set on 'lose 1 lb a week' and kept a 500 extra deficit every day, and only lost 1 lb a week, it means you're eating more than you think anyway.

    Double check your MFP settings.

    Ahhhhhh! I had no idea. I saw a -486 at the end of my day and thought that was it.

    Yeah my weight loss was steady but slow. Now it’s just stalled and well up 3 pounds from last week. I weigh myself tomorrow so we will see!

    If you're at -456 at the end of the day (and the number is red), it means you're eating at maintenance (assuming a 1 lb a week setting).

    I'm confused.

    You’re confused?! I’m confused!

    Here is yesterday’s numbers:

    1200 calorie goal - 1126 calories consumes - 819 exercice= 893 in green at the end of the day....
    I don’t see red numbers
  • jayemes
    jayemes Posts: 865 Member
    If your goal is 1200 and your exercise burned 800, you should be eating at least half those exercise calories back (according to popular MFP wisdom)
    The way you have it you only netted 400 calories yesterday and that's not enough. You should lose at 1200 well measured/weighed calories.
  • kikicooks
    kikicooks Posts: 1,079 Member
    Biking for 2 hours and only eating 1126 calories? That is why you are hungry.
  • kimny72
    kimny72 Posts: 16,011 Member
    edited May 2018
    Francl27 wrote: »
    Francl27 wrote: »
    Francl27 wrote: »
    You've lost 25 lbs, with 20 lbs to lose, it's really ok to eat a bit more. If you feel that you ate 'everything' and still have a 400 calorie deficit, that's your problem right there. It's much harder to keep a bigger deficit when you have less to lose because you get so HUNGRY. Seriously, change your goal to 1500 pre-workout at this point. You will lose slower, but it will be much more manageable.

    For a pre-bike snack, I'd honestly have a granola/energy bar and fruit or something. You want the carbs for energy. My snack of choice is some kind of cheese with fruit, but I don't know if that would tide you over. Or yes, eat more at lunch.

    The 3 lbs you gained at probably water, I wouldn't even worry about it.

    Thanks! Isn’t a calorie deficit what we want at the end of the day. Yesterday I ate 1500 calories and had a deficit of almost 500 calories.

    I brought veggies and cheese for my pre bike snack. We’ll see how that goes!

    I was hungry last night but I had like 4 cups of air popped popcorn. I thought the dates were too sugary !

    The calories that MFP gives you includes a deficit. You should net your calorie goal, and make sure it's appropriate to start with.

    This. When you select your goal on MFP, it already includes a deficit. If you pick the 'lose 1 lb a week' setting, it will be 500 calories. So if you still have 500 calories at the end of the day, that's actually a 1000 deficit... which is way too high for what you want to lose assuming that you're logging accurately.

    Now, 25 lbs since November is about 1 lb a week, so that's why I advised to only add 200 calories a day. I'm not sure how accurate your logging is, but it's easy to find out... If you have MFP set on 'maintaining your weight' and kept a 500 deficit every day, you're good. If you have MFP set on 'lose 1 lb a week' and kept a 500 extra deficit every day, and only lost 1 lb a week, it means you're eating more than you think anyway.

    Double check your MFP settings.

    Ahhhhhh! I had no idea. I saw a -486 at the end of my day and thought that was it.

    Yeah my weight loss was steady but slow. Now it’s just stalled and well up 3 pounds from last week. I weigh myself tomorrow so we will see!

    If you're at -456 at the end of the day (and the number is red), it means you're eating at maintenance (assuming a 1 lb a week setting).

    I'm confused.

    You’re confused?! I’m confused!

    Here is yesterday’s numbers:

    1200 calorie goal - 1126 calories consumes - 819 exercice= 893 in green at the end of the day....
    I don’t see red numbers

    If you told MFP you want to lose weight, your deficit is already in your calorie goal. You should be eating 1200 cals plus at least some of your exercise calories. You are hungry at night because you are aggressively undereating!
This discussion has been closed.