Late Night Snacker

erikt923
erikt923 Posts: 1
in Introduce Yourself
Hi everyone. I'm new to the forums, but I've been using the iPhone MFP app for over a month now and I'm already down 13 pounds, something I've never done before, yet something I'm extremely proud of. My biggest obstacle to losing weight, and the whole reason for putting it on in the first place, is the fact that I get hungry and eat most late at night. Usually I'll eat the majority of my foods within 3 or 4 hours before bed time. Being a night owl, I sleep into the afternoon and I could literally go all day and most of the actual night without eating. But come around 11PM, I start to get my heavy cravings, and I'm off. I'll eat whatever I'm in the mood for and will do whatever it takes to get my fix, be it sugar, meat or salt. Since starting on MFP, I've had some really really tough nights where I'm literally torturing myself trying to find the biggest meal for the fewest calories. Some unfortunate nights, I'll simply "overlook" my daily calorie weight loss intake and go over. One night I doubled my daily calorie intake! Needless to say, I felt quite guilty about it afterwards. I didn't think I would be cheating quite as much as I have been and it's been a setback. I'm amazed that I've even managed to lose 13 pounds after only a month. For all of you late night eaters out there, how to you deal with your habits and make the healthiest choices for your body? Even if you're not a late night eater, but your cravings come suddenly and without relent, how do you curb or even diminish them?

Replies

  • chunkiesundae
    chunkiesundae Posts: 10
    I drink tea sweetened with a little stevia or honey when I'm mildly munchy. It's the best thing I can do to keep myself feeling like I'm eating when really I'm not. For nights when the cravings are more severe, or I'm just truly hungry, I will air-pop some popcorn, then I melt a little coconut oil in the microwave with stevia and a bit of salt. It's kinda like kettle corn, only not as delicious.
    Sometimes I will eat frozen grapes. It takes awhile to get through them since they're cold and a little hard, and they're sweet, too. Or sugar snap peas. Hot chocolate or chocolate milk can be nice when you're dyying for chocolate, and an 8 oz serving won't set you back too seriously.

    Sometimes the best thing to do is go take a hot bath. I swear it will help distract you from your cravings and melt away stress. Invest in some lavender and vanilla oil/bath bubbles/salt, whatever and soak those cravings away! That is my go-to method when I think mann I really am going to order a pizza here if I don't do something dramatically different.

    Best wishes!
  • adamsurpren
    adamsurpren Posts: 53
    I just go to bed and wake up at a normal time. Like normal human beings. Get a real full time job, and I'm sure you'll curb those cravings.

    Once you start eating 200-300 calorie meals 6 times a day, you'll be good to go.
  • nikkitodhunter
    nikkitodhunter Posts: 110
    I drink tea sweetened with a little stevia or honey when I'm mildly munchy. It's the best thing I can do to keep myself feeling like I'm eating when really I'm not. For nights when the cravings are more severe, or I'm just truly hungry, I will air-pop some popcorn, then I melt a little coconut oil in the microwave with stevia and a bit of salt. It's kinda like kettle corn, only not as delicious.
    Sometimes I will eat frozen grapes. It takes awhile to get through them since they're cold and a little hard, and they're sweet, too. Or sugar snap peas. Hot chocolate or chocolate milk can be nice when you're dyying for chocolate, and an 8 oz serving won't set you back too seriously.

    Sometimes the best thing to do is go take a hot bath. I swear it will help distract you from your cravings and melt away stress. Invest in some lavender and vanilla oil/bath bubbles/salt, whatever and soak those cravings away! That is my go-to method when I think mann I really am going to order a pizza here if I don't do something dramatically different.

    Best wishes!

    I definitely agree with all of those, I use those tactics too!! Because I get up about 7 i eat breakfast early, then lunch early, then dinner early (around 6) then I'm not usually getting ready for bed til 10, so I get pretty peckish and I CANNOT go to bed hungry. I tend to go for a glass of milk, or hot chocolate if I'm craving something sweeter - I'll usually try and have that right before I go to bed, 'cos milk isn't all that filling on its own but it's enough to last me til I drop off :)
  • kvenable8
    kvenable8 Posts: 15 Member
    Sounds like your glucose level is dropping. Perhaps making sure you have something really filling, like whole wheat pasta/rice with meat and veggies, 3-4 hours before bed would help. The main thing being the good carbs that will fill you up so you don't get the cravings.

    I'm betting it's more to do with what you're eating throughout the day (or rather, not eating).While I think the "real full time job" comment was a bit unnecessary and harsh, They're right about the the suggestion that, "Once you start eating 200-300 calorie meals 6 times a day, you'll be good to go."

    Almonds too. Almonds are really good for making you feel full. Raw ones are obviously the best for you, but depending on if you're after sweet or savoury Blue Diamond does different kinds.

    But I agree, popcorn and frozen grapes are really good suggestions for snacking as well!

    Good luck! My Dad has the same exact problem, and I know how difficult and frustrating it can be.

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