Midnight snacks

LouisHamric · January 25

Hi I am new here and I am trying to lose weight and build muscle. I am a nurse that works 12 hour shifts from 3p to 3am. I have been doing really good with eating low calorie high nutrition meals during lunch and dinner (I rarely eat breakfast.) I usually eat around 1 PM and 6 :30 PM but then I get really hungry for a snack at midnight. At first I tried fruit but that just didn't satisfy me, and so I end up eating 4 Reese's sticks and a Monster Energy Zero Cal to make me feel halfway better. I don't eat any other sweets during the day. But I cannot break this habit. Can anyone give me some advice to get past these cravings. Even with this I usually stay under my 1500 calorie goal, but the point is I don't want to keep on eating these sugary snacks all the time, I want something else healthier that satisfies my soul and helps me get through me shift on a mental health unit.

Thanks,
Hungry Nurse

totameafox · January 26

you could try those cottage cheese with topping packs. that would give you a little protein and the topping would provide the sweetness

Corina1143 · January 26

I don't understand why you stop eating at 6:30 PM. You're still awake and moving until at least 3am. More likely 4 am or later. Your body still needs fuel. I wouldn't be looking for snacks. I'd be adding another meal. Maybe around 11 pm?

sollyn23l2 · January 27

I wonder if you're undereating. How much weight are you losing per week?

LouisHamric · February 5

I appreciate the feedback. I have tried pushing first meal back a few days to 6:30 and skipped lunch then I can have the dinner a bit later. It solves the late night problem but then I am just starving for my first meal. @sollyn23l2 I am not really losing much weight in fact I have gained a few pounds and then lost back down but staying right around 172-175. I attribute that to the fact that I was exercising everyday my first month and maybe some of that was muscle gain. Thanks for everyone for the feedback.

varianval · February 5

Healthy snacks, yogurt or apple can curb late night cravings

nicsflyingcircus · February 5

You could easily allocate 300 calories to your midnight snack and still have 500+ calories for each of your other 2 meals.

If you want sweet, 2 oreos is like 110 calories, then a cup of flavored Greek yogurt (80-100 calories) and then some berries or something.

I work 1930-0800 and I generally prefer to eat all my food by 12-1, but if I am hungry later in the shift, I accommodate that. This morning I had a 320 calorie breakfast sandwich (with 24g protein) at 6am. I'll just switch up my food plans for later tonight.

nossmf · February 5

Fruit can help with sweetness, but sometimes you just need that crunch. Enter portable veggies: carrot sticks, red or green peppers sliced into strips, radishes. Throw in cheese slices for protein, and you can have a sandwich bag full of food for under 150 calories.

jamallison · February 6

Split open a couple dates, put some peanut butter or almond butter in them and then sprinkle with coconut flakes or a couple dark chocolate chips… it’s my go to

Midnight snacks

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