Having problems overeating at night

tytbone
tytbone Posts: 14 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I think this is probably my biggest obstacle to a "quicker" success, as in keeping me from losing more weight more quickly. I've found that during the day, when I'm at work and what not, I don't overeat because I'm keeping busy with things and I can easily keep track of my cals (working on a computer with internet access, obviously). And even in the early evening I have a regular supper, fitting in the number of calories I should have. However, when 10 pm or so rolls around, I'm still up and I find myself not necessarily hungry, but not full either, so (maybe out of habit) I grab some food that, while not junk food, won't get burned or will just sit in my stomach because it's close to bed time, and of course goes over my calorie limit. Somehow I just rationalize it or just don't bother thinking about it.

So anybody have any suggestions? Unfortunately, I'm not sure I'd listen to my goals of, "Just don't eat after 9 pm." I suppose I could try going to bed earlier, or distracting myself with video games instead of TV (since I need both hands for video games). Alternatively, can anybody suggest some healthy foods that will "fill me up" (stuff that I could have for supper so I might not want to eat later)? Thanks.

Replies

  • jzaz903
    jzaz903 Posts: 306 Member
    Maybe you could try not having snacks like that at home? Or you could account for the extra calories when you start the day. you know you're going to have a snack after dinner, log it and fit it into your day. That's what I do- I like something sweet after dinner, so I have dark chocolate chips and allow myself a serving after dinner- I've already tracked tonight's.
  • jackibailey
    jackibailey Posts: 206 Member
    I ad my late night snack into my calorie goal for the day. That way I don't have to worry about going over. I eat some kind of sugar free ice cream just about every night. I don't want to give up my treat or I'll just end up wanting it so bad that I'll binge on everything sweet I can get my hands on. I hope this helps. :)
  • hemlock2010
    hemlock2010 Posts: 422 Member
    I plan my calories the day before or first thing in the morning--including the night time snack. That way, when I get there I know I still have the calories for it. And planning ahead what I'm going to eat for snack keeps me from ad libbing something I'll regret later.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,992 Member
    I skip breakfast. I don't eat till about 1-2pm every day. I eat a good lunch, a good dinner and at night I eat till my calorie limits are done. It doesn't matter when you eat, just make sure you get in all your macronutrients and don't go over your calorie limit.


    A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer/Group Fitness Instructor
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • jackieatx
    jackieatx Posts: 578 Member
    I take a hot shower or bath when I'm idle and feel like snacking until I'm sleepy and go to bed. It's worked pretty well so far. And yeah only having healthy snacks is a good idea, or all unprepared food so you actually have to take time to make it if you want to eat
  • shbretired
    shbretired Posts: 320 Member
    I try not to eat after 6 pm, should go to bed with empty stomach, but Monday nights I have to cheat since I get home from the gym late.



    How about a handful of nuts? A couple of Dryers all fruit sugar free popsicles? 20 calories each

    Popcorn butter free.

    A bowl of Special K cereal.

    Add some Hemp hearts it will give you that full feeling.

    I'd try fiber.
  • mfpcopine
    mfpcopine Posts: 3,093 Member

    So anybody have any suggestions? Unfortunately, I'm not sure I'd listen to my goals of, "Just don't eat after 9 pm." I suppose I could try going to bed earlier, or distracting myself with video games instead of TV (since I need both hands for video games). Alternatively, can anybody suggest some healthy foods that will "fill me up" (stuff that I could have for supper so I might not want to eat later)? Thanks.

    Floss and brush your teeth as soon as you finish dinner.

    You could also try a mild form of Intermittent Fasting, which is more than just telling yourself not to eat after 9 p.m. Decide you are going to fast until breakfast the next morning. You will consume only water, and if you must, artificially sweetened beverages until the morning.

    There's an IF group here. Some people post at the beginning and end of their fasts to keep themselves accountable.
  • tytbone
    tytbone Posts: 14 Member
    Thanks for the responses, everyone. :)
    You could also try a mild form of Intermittent Fasting, which is more than just telling yourself not to eat after 9 p.m. Decide you are going to fast until breakfast the next morning. You will consume only water, and if you must, artificially sweetened beverages until the morning.

    There's an IF group here. Some people post at the beginning and end of their fasts to keep themselves accountable.

    I think I'll join this, thanks.
  • Embera
    Embera Posts: 289 Member
    i always plan on having a snack especially since i dont go to bed till midnight sometimes ill put my daughter down and go get a something sometimes its fruit others its popcorn or ocasionaly ice ceram or chocolate
  • maia_land
    maia_land Posts: 6
    As someone who has lived their entire adult life eating after 7pm, I know what you're going through. When I made changes to my eating, this was one of the hardest habits to break. For me, Dill Pickles were my life savers. Have one of those and you know longer feel like eating anything else. Another REALLY big help was brushing my teeth, who wants to eat when all you can taste is mint?
  • emnk5308
    emnk5308 Posts: 736
    Save some calories to help with the night time cravings.. Have some veggies...

    Also, find another way to produce dopamine. =) That is why you want snacks late at night, eating releases dopamine.
    Kind of like an addiction.. find something to occupy yourself.
  • jannaj1
    jannaj1 Posts: 3
    If I'm going to have a late night snack - which I do end up doing a couple times a week - I plan it into my calories ahead of time. So that way I know what I'm going to eat, that I'm not going over, and that I'm not going to overeat. And I'll have something like butter-free popcorn or a cup of dry Cheerios - Cheerios are actually my favourite. They're tasty and you're eating small things, which lasts longer and makes it feel like you're eating more than if you just ate a granola bar or something. Half the time I only eat half the cup and then realize I'm not hungry any more and don't finish it!
  • magerum
    magerum Posts: 12,589 Member
    I skip breakfast. I don't eat till about 1-2pm every day. I eat a good lunch, a good dinner and at night I eat till my calorie limits are done. It doesn't matter when you eat, just make sure you get in all your macronutrients and don't go over your calorie limit.


    A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer/Group Fitness Instructor
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    ^ This

    I plan for night eating, I enjoy it.
  • Cyphio
    Cyphio Posts: 20
    Plan a late snack into your calorie count. I am a big fan of the theory of thought to eat when your hungry, just make sure it is something healthy. I have noticed that when you eat, especially when focused on losing weight, has very little to do with "when" but more with "what". I just can't eat too much food at night because sometimes it will keep me from sleeping soundly. I suggest frozen grapes for late at night, especially if you like sweets.

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