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Cure for NES, Night Eating Syndrome?

ctmike8080
Posts: 4 Member
Hello All-
I suffer from NES, aka night eating syndrome. I wake up every night about 3-4 hours into my sleep to eat something just in order to get myself back to sleep.
I am fully awake and aware of what I am doing. I just want to stop doing it as it causes frustration, throws my breakfast off and isnt healthy or normal.
Anyone suffer from this and find a way to stop it?
I suffer from NES, aka night eating syndrome. I wake up every night about 3-4 hours into my sleep to eat something just in order to get myself back to sleep.
I am fully awake and aware of what I am doing. I just want to stop doing it as it causes frustration, throws my breakfast off and isnt healthy or normal.
Anyone suffer from this and find a way to stop it?
1
Replies
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I have a similar problem. I don't sleep well in general and sleeping when hungry is practically impossible for me. So I tend to wake up once or twice during the night and often feel very hard to fall back asleep without eating something. Things that could help you:
-check that your deficit isn't too aggressive. If you are are often very hungry during the night that could be a sign that you need to lower your deficit. I find that I quickly get too hungry if my deficit is over 300-400 cals.
-develop a consistant sleeping schedule. Going to bed and waking up at the same time should help you to sleep better, wake up less during the night and fall back asleep easier.
-I always have a carton of almond or soy milk in the fridge. If I wake up hungry, I take a few sips. It's usually under 50 cals and it often helps me to fall back asleep. Having a thermos with hot herbal tea ready for you could also be helpful.
-I noticed that night-time eating is a habit like anything else. When I start doing it regularly, I find it very hard to stop. But if I force myself to not do it, after a week or so it gets easier. You may start by switching from eating food to almond milk (or similar beverage) then just tea or water, then stop altogether.
I hope it helps!7 -
I agree with oat_bran, but also - have you had fasting blood work done recently? It sounds like it could (also) be related to blood sugar.5
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My blood sugar is normal, i had this happen about 20 years ago and was much healthier/lighter. I don’t think its related to that, its something else that I cant put my finger on.1
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I did this in past, still do when I dont eat right the day before. Stay away from stuff that dont fill you up before bed. I usually eat pecans (walnuts, peanuts even) for my before bed snack and dont wake up looking for food.1
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Are you actually eating enough during the day?2
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I don't get this *exactly* but I struggle falling asleep if I'm genuinely hungry.. would making your dinner your main/biggest meal maybe be an option?1
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staticsplit wrote: »Are you actually eating enough during the day?
Yes, in fact more than I should. Either way, NES as it’s called isnt really about hunger, its more to do with habits and the way our brain reacts to stress, habit, etc. I just wish there was a way to stop waking ul and eating.1 -
I have sugar free popsicles, and if I wake up I have one. I’ve had this issue for about 20 years. I thought it was hunger, but it really was a coping habit for underlying anxiety. A bedtime routine that includes prayer, meditation,stretching helps me. Also, I use a lavender oil in my diffuser.2
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Annagrace75 wrote: »I have sugar free popsicles, and if I wake up I have one. I’ve had this issue for about 20 years. I thought it was hunger, but it really was a coping habit for underlying anxiety. A bedtime routine that includes prayer, meditation,stretching helps me. Also, I use a lavender oil in my diffuser.
Hi Anna. Very interesting. I feel there is some underlying anxiety or OCD that is causing this to happen for me As well. LAst night I said to Jesus to please help me sleep through the night without eating, and I didn’t get up!
Do you know of any medication that may help with underlying anxiety by chance?
1 -
Melatonin or st John's wort? Otherwise, you can get a Rx for anxiety meds.1
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I would highly recommend cognitive behavioral therapy, especially if you suspect the habit is anxiety-related.1
This discussion has been closed.
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