End of the night “treats”

erinelizabeth882
erinelizabeth882 Posts: 102 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hey all,

Looking for some ideas for ideas for things I can use in place of dessert as a little reward or treat. I frequently have and look forward to relaxing at the end of the night with a bowl of ice cream or at least a square of ghiradelli salted caramel dark chocolate while watching a favorite tv show. I’m going to try to do some slightly healthier treats like the yogurt flips or mousse cups or at least just having one square of chocolate (and not the handful of mnms, stolen spoonfuls of ice cream, and several pb cups throughout the evening). But I would also like to come up with some other non-food things to substitute while still giving me something nice to look forward to. What kinds of things do you guys do for yourselves at the end of the night that you find particularly enjoyable, satisfying and relaxing?
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Replies

  • Calliope610
    Calliope610 Posts: 3,783 Member
    edited June 2018
    Fat free Greek yogurt, a bit of cool whip to "fluff" it up and Torani sugar free raspberry syrup is delightfully yummy and light.
  • Danp
    Danp Posts: 1,561 Member
    I buy bags of 'fun size' chocolates (Snickers, Twix, etc) for a after dinner/late night treat. They're all about 80 odd calories each so usually have 2.

    I've been known to have 3 or even 4 if I get to the end of the day with loads of calories to spare but I try not to do that too often as I don't want to risk it escalating to 5 or 6 or emptying the bag of all 12 =)
  • 30kgin2017
    30kgin2017 Posts: 228 Member
    A nice treat for me is to actually get to sit down and watch something on tv/netflix. I have 3 kids and work fulltime so I dont get a lot of time and also need to be mindful of what I am watching if the kids are around.

    Another non-food treat I like is a foot soak or a face mask.
  • apullum
    apullum Posts: 4,838 Member
    If you're able to stop with just the amount of chocolate that fits into your calorie budget, then there's no problem, as long as you don't have a medical condition that would keep you from having candy. Enjoy your chocolate.

    If you aren't able to stop with a small amount, then you might try prepackaged candies so you can get out the amount you want and put the rest away. There are various chocolate frozen desserts that are lower in calories, such as Halo Top or some chocolate popsicles, or you can dip fruit in a little chocolate syrup. I also like flavored teas when I want a snack but don't have any calories left.
  • ceiswyn
    ceiswyn Posts: 2,256 Member
    I quite often use sugar-free jelly (jello to those in the US) with a bit of yoghurt. Makes a great dessert treat.
  • Lillymoo01
    Lillymoo01 Posts: 2,865 Member
    Air fried popcorn with cinnamon works for me. That or natural Greek yoghurt mixed with cacao powder, a small piece of fruit or for something really sweet a fibre one bar.
  • alicer4182
    alicer4182 Posts: 13 Member
    I always have a yogurt immediately after I finish dinner which satisfies my need for sweets. I used to try to wait to have it right before winding down for bed but I tended to binge in that time between. Lately I’ve even been trying dairy-free yogurt and it’s been going pretty well!
  • cmclairer
    cmclairer Posts: 4 Member
    Depending on calories, I have a piece of wholemeal toast with 1/2 tbsp PB, or a spoonful of drinking chocolate powder (gives me that little hit without having bars of chocolate in the house), or a lovely juicy apple. I also only drink herbal/peppermint teas after 7, which keep me hydrated and less likely to snack. Good luck!
  • monica182
    monica182 Posts: 60 Member
    I’ve been having a chocolate protein bar in the evenings lately. Only 103 calories and helps bump up my protein for the day. I love my night time treats so always save around 200 calories for the evening. Other things I snack on is Greek yoghurt with a bit of fruit and nuts mixed in, cottage cheese with dried cranberries and a bit of maple syrup or a bowl of sugar free low fat ice cream. I generally look at my macros for the day and see what macro is low and base my treat around that so killing two birds with one stone :)
  • AmyOutOfControl
    AmyOutOfControl Posts: 1,425 Member
    edited June 2018
    coconut ice pops = 60 calories. They take care of my intense ice cream cravings. :)
  • motivatedmartha
    motivatedmartha Posts: 1,108 Member
    I have a piece of cold chocolate before bedtime almost every day. I build it into to my allowance for the day and savour every nibble - it satisfies my needs for a treat. I used to have a small glass of red wine most evenings too but since my hubby has gone alchol free I don't. I would feel too mean having some; my way of supporting the lifestyle change he has had to make. Oddly, I don't miss it.
  • elizabethmcopeland
    elizabethmcopeland Posts: 167 Member
    casein protein mug cakes
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    I save 200-300 calories for chocolate or ice cream every night. It keeps me sane and on track. When I tried to cut them out completely, I ended up binging on them.

    A little every night and staying within my calories > cutting them out and causing a binge eventually.
  • ladyhusker39
    ladyhusker39 Posts: 1,406 Member
    I've been experimenting with this lately because I keep over snacking after dinner. I've tried many things from protein bars, fiber one bars, rice cakes w/pb, fruit, even a bowl of oatmeal. I've found that once I start snacking the urge to continue comes on even stronger.

    I think I might just need to stop eating altogether after dinner. It's not like I'm hungry, it's just cravings and I suppose a habit.
  • leonadixon
    leonadixon Posts: 479 Member
    I gave myself a cutoff time to stop eating. 8 p.m. It has saved me many times from late night caloric choices. I save for treats in the evening (before 8). Has helped me a lot to deal with my cravings that would take me over calorie goal.
  • HilTri
    HilTri Posts: 378 Member
    Lillymoo01 wrote: »
    Air fried popcorn with cinnamon works for me. That or natural Greek yoghurt mixed with cacao powder, a small piece of fruit or for something really sweet a fibre one bar.
    Me too! Every night, I wrap up with a Fiber One Bar, Greek yogurt and some granola! Perfect night cap!
  • Mouse_Potato
    Mouse_Potato Posts: 1,512 Member
    Glass of wine.
    Book.
    Every single night.
  • midlomel1971
    midlomel1971 Posts: 1,283 Member
    A piece of fruit and a cup of hot tea usually satisfies my need for a treat. For me, if there is TV involved, I found that it was more about giving my hands and mouth something to do while I watched.
  • maybe1pe
    maybe1pe Posts: 529 Member
    I eat dinner. Then I eat my pre-planned dessert item for the night. Then I stop eating and don't go back for more. It took a lot to train my brain not to snack post desert but now that I have it's really quite easy. Probably took me a couple of months to get it down. But now post desert I never think about going back for more, I'm just done.
  • workinonit1956
    workinonit1956 Posts: 1,043 Member
    My nighttime snack is usually Fage 0 with berries, a banana, chopped walnuts and cinnamon. I always leave room in my calories for this.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    erinelizabeth882 wrote: »
    Hey all,

    Looking for some ideas for ideas for things I can use in place of dessert as a little reward or treat. I frequently have and look forward to relaxing at the end of the night with a bowl of ice cream or at least a square of ghiradelli salted caramel dark chocolate while watching a favorite tv show. I’m going to try to do some slightly healthier treats like the yogurt flips or mousse cups or at least just having one square of chocolate (and not the handful of mnms, stolen spoonfuls of ice cream, and several pb cups throughout the evening). But I would also like to come up with some other non-food things to substitute while still giving me something nice to look forward to. What kinds of things do you guys do for yourselves at the end of the night that you find particularly enjoyable, satisfying and relaxing?

    Mmm, Ghirardelli salted caramel dark chocolate squares. This actually IS my bed time treat. And if you are in New England, they are on sale at Market Basket for $3.00 per bag plus a coupon for $1 off two.

    For a non-food bed time ritual, I get in bed under my new weighted blanket. They were on sale for $100 off over Memorial Day weekend.

    https://www.weightingcomforts.com

    (But I bring a square in bed with me, and I eat it really really slowly, nibbling around the edges first and letting the chocolate dissolve in my mouth before taking another tiny bite.)
  • ljashley1952
    ljashley1952 Posts: 275 Member
    Good post! I'm fine during the day, but I'm an evening grazer. Control the urge to snack in the evenings is the hardest thing for me to do. I have to agree with the cup of tea before bed idea. If I can keep my fingers busy doing some knitting or playing solitaire or something similar, I don't think about munching so much. Brush teeth, go to bed early and read.

  • generallyme2
    generallyme2 Posts: 403 Member
    I used to be a big night eater- I'd have something sweet, then something salty, then sweet... until I was sick.

    Now, I set aside my dessert cals when I prelog. Usually some sort of rich chocolate cookie, or nice ice cream portioned out, or a homemade dessert. I try to keep it under 200 cals but sometimes it's over and that's okay. Tonight, I'm actually having some fresh red cherries for 'dessert' because I LOVE them and they cost me $6 a lb haha.

    Non-food things I'll do to wind down: reading, painting my nails, taking a bath (and reading), writing Harry Potter stuff ;) I love puzzles too, especially the big ones that are difficult because they are very consuming.
  • rkcampbell
    rkcampbell Posts: 188 Member

    quiksylver296 wrote: »
    I save 200-300 calories for chocolate or ice cream every night. It keeps me sane and on track. When I tried to cut them out completely, I ended up binging on them.

    A little every night and staying within my calories > cutting them out and causing a binge eventually.

    Me too!!!
  • peaceout_aly
    peaceout_aly Posts: 2,018 Member
    erinelizabeth882 wrote: »
    Hey all,

    Looking for some ideas for ideas for things I can use in place of dessert as a little reward or treat. I frequently have and look forward to relaxing at the end of the night with a bowl of ice cream or at least a square of ghiradelli salted caramel dark chocolate while watching a favorite tv show. I’m going to try to do some slightly healthier treats like the yogurt flips or mousse cups or at least just having one square of chocolate (and not the handful of mnms, stolen spoonfuls of ice cream, and several pb cups throughout the evening). But I would also like to come up with some other non-food things to substitute while still giving me something nice to look forward to. What kinds of things do you guys do for yourselves at the end of the night that you find particularly enjoyable, satisfying and relaxing?

    My biggest tip for "midnight snackers" is to pre-log. I personally love a bowl of cereal before bed, but in order to fit my macros I just log it in the AM and fit the rest of my day around it. Some simple low-cal treats are Cool Whip + strawberries or raspberries + Walden Farms Chocolate syrup, Siggi's yogurt + Walden Farms Maple syrup + Super Seedz Cinnamon Sugar seeds or a protein bar

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