Midnight snacking

I need help with midnight snacking. I get up several times a night to snack.

Replies

  • Alatariel75
    Alatariel75 Posts: 18,601 Member
    Can we get some more information? Are you restricting too much through the day? Going to bed hungry? Is it habit?

    It's not typical to need to get up multiple times a night to eat, it shows a pretty disturbed sleeping pattern. Are you genuinely hungry when you wake up or is it a comfort thing?

    Lots of people here ready and willing to try and help, but we need more to work with! :)
  • sollyn23l2
    sollyn23l2 Posts: 1,846 Member
    I need help with midnight snacking. I get up several times a night to snack.

    You're going to have to set a boundary for yourself that once you lie down, the kitchen is closed. No exceptions. No getting up and sneaking into the fridge, the cabinets, or anything else. That being said, do make sure you're eating enough during the day. It's normal to be hungry when losing weight, but sometimes people try to lose weight too fast. It says you have over 50 pounds to lose, so 1 pound per week would probably be reasonable.
  • wm3796
    wm3796 Posts: 103 Member
    Write a large note like” you don’t really want this, no snacks after 8pm, or make a good choice”
    Whatever resonates with you and post it by your night snacks.
  • totameafox
    totameafox Posts: 290 Member
    eat a meal with protein and fiber before going to bed. Put a full glass of water beside your bed and get used to telling yourself no. if you wake up and want food. drink the glass of water and go back to bed. The kind of calories you consume during the day will affect how you feel during the day and night so pick some bulky low calories foods so that your brain sees that you have enough to eat. I eat so much food during the day that there is no way i would want to get up during the night and eat more ;)
  • MelissaSel
    MelissaSel Posts: 91 Member
    If you're waking up that often, it's likely due to another reason besides hunger. Frequent awakenings are a sign of obstructive sleep apnea. If you haven't had a sleep study, you should request that your doctor order one for you (depending on your co-morbidities and insurance, you may be able to do a simple at home study). I'm a registered sleep tech if you have any questions or concerns.
  • wm3796
    wm3796 Posts: 103 Member
    It could just be habit your body has gotten accustomed to. You could try having small snack before bedtime and then eliminate that over time if you feel ok.
  • poodle_whisper
    poodle_whisper Posts: 33 Member
    This is an eating disorder and you should explore treatment. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/nutrition/night-eating-syndrome