We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Cure for NES, Night Eating Syndrome?

ctmike8080
ctmike8080 Posts: 4 Member
edited December 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
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?

Replies

  • ctmike8080
    ctmike8080 Posts: 4 Member
    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.
  • tony56pr
    tony56pr Posts: 141 Member
    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.
  • staticsplit
    staticsplit Posts: 538 Member
    Are you actually eating enough during the day?
  • netitheyeti
    netitheyeti Posts: 539 Member
    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?
  • ctmike8080
    ctmike8080 Posts: 4 Member
    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.
  • Annagrace75
    Annagrace75 Posts: 29 Member
    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.
  • ctmike8080
    ctmike8080 Posts: 4 Member
    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?
  • DancingMoosie
    DancingMoosie Posts: 8,619 Member
    Melatonin or st John's wort? Otherwise, you can get a Rx for anxiety meds.
  • gallicinvasion
    gallicinvasion Posts: 1,015 Member
    I would highly recommend cognitive behavioral therapy, especially if you suspect the habit is anxiety-related.
This discussion has been closed.