How do you stop that late night eating? :(

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Replies

  • RainaWalks
    RainaWalks Posts: 72
    i have a food monster that comes out at night too....my latest tactic is to stay really busy either online or offline and not go to my bed until my eyes are closing because that is when she usually comes out...when i go to bed and don't fall asleep right away...

    this monster is very demanding i find....i tried reasoning with the monster, eating dinner late, exercising late, drinking water, down right refusing to eat anything after going to bed....nothing worked...

    wishing you lots of luck and i mean that sincerely....i think my food monster will give me a lifetime of trouble...
  • wildflow30
    wildflow30 Posts: 27
    I bought the 100 calorie packs of cookies and brownies.
    But this time of year I try to keep in season fruit in the fridge too.
    Bing cherries and strawberries!
  • akiramezu
    akiramezu Posts: 278
    Nothing wrong with eating at night, the time you eat is irrelevant, of course at night time you are most likely sedentary and probably not doing anything so eating A LOT is not advised, but contrary to popular belief, eating a good healthy solid meal at night before bed will not make you get fat or gain weight. In fact, a lot of body builders have peanut butter, cottage cheese, good meat and vegetable meals before bed to retain their muscles, because when we sleep we go into a catabolic state, having some good slow digesting proteins can prevent catabolism, of course, whether it's broscience or real science, I still think eating at night is fine, I'm not the leanest person out there but eating before bed has never made me gain any weight.

    Here are some myths that you can read about:
    http://www.simplyshredded.com/protein-carbs-here-are-the-top-10-myths-that-plague-your-diet-physique.html

    At the end of the day, it's calories in and calories out. If you eat smart even if it is at night, chances of you gaining weight from eating at night when you've hit your daily calories and macros, you're not going to gain weight and such :)
  • Sarena3
    Sarena3 Posts: 49 Member
    here's some things that have worked for me:

    A good tea w/ stevia, sipped slowly
    chewing gum
    posting replies here or playing free cell
    and a really big one is a full manicure. Can't eat without ruining the fresh nail polish
    also I find if I eat the appropriate amount of calories, of clean foods, throughout the day, I have less impulse to night eat
  • diannethegeek
    diannethegeek Posts: 14,776 Member
    I try to build in some calories for evening snacking and keep myself busy at night. When I reach the end of my calories I drink water or decaf tea and if I must snack I try to stick to carrot stick or grapes, something that I can make last a while without bumping my calories up much.
  • bethbournias
    bethbournias Posts: 22 Member
    At night, I drink lots of Crystal light and my guilty pleasure is to keep sugar free miniatire Reese cups in the freezer. I get one during the eveming when I have that craving and its low in calories (36) and has only 1 net carb! It gets me through!!!!
  • loumaag
    loumaag Posts: 118
    First my solution is because I am an insulin taking diabetic; I eat.

    I plan on having an 80 calorie diet yogurt before or as I am going to bed. It keeps me from bottoming out during the night (low blood sugar) and also since I know I am going to do it, it generally keeps the night time hungry monster from making me eat something else. I know that it is not the solution for everyone but it works for me.
  • you starve until you fall asleep.
  • CyberEd312
    CyberEd312 Posts: 3,536 Member
    I have always saved enough calories to take a snack to bed with me every night and have been doing this for the past 3 years.... currently I am eating a cup of Kellogs Double Chocolate Crave cereal (1 cup dry) and a 1/4 cup Almonds (24 pieces) and eat them together while in bed... Some night I will add a glass of 1% Chocolate Milk if I have the calories.. I get a chocolate snack and also fills me up and lets me sleep through the night..... Best of Luck
  • I've realized that if I've got the munchies that I end up binging if I suppress the urge to have a little snack. Often it's just that I want a little something sweet. So I bought a box of Nabisco 100 calorie cookies, they're not diet cookies and taste great. I think the calories are low because of the portion size and not because they are low fat or sugar free.

    I have a 3-yr-old and we eat about 5:45 every night so I'm usually pretty hungry before bed. Sometimes if the urges are too strong I just to go to bed earlier than normal. I rarely go to bed earlier than 11:00-12:00 so I need to go to bed earlier anyway.
  • Wow, EdDavenport! You've lost 310 lbs? Congratulations!!! You've got great perseverance.
  • lynda155
    lynda155 Posts: 112 Member
    I plan it into my day for calories... I know I will want a snack. I find if I fight the urge, then that is all I focus on and the urge grows and grows... so if I plan it, then it is part of my routine.

    i hope all the post help!! :D
  • karibeargirl
    karibeargirl Posts: 249 Member
    Brushing your teeth will take the urge away:) I always get a craving for sweets at night, so I go and do a quick mouth rinse then a brush...It works for me!! Good Luck!!
  • gsager
    gsager Posts: 977 Member
    Divide your calories so that you CAN eat at night, I'm eating right now and it's 9:30 pm and when I get home I will eat again.
  • I don't. I could drink water, but I always crave something more substantial. I think the best thing to do would be to go to bed early like others suggested. If I could ever get all 4 my boys in bed before 11pm, I think maybe I could be sleeping by midnight. Maybe.
  • emnk5308
    emnk5308 Posts: 736
    My first few weeks, I didn't have a problem! I'd completely stopped...but the last few weeks, at night is when I have most of my 'cheats'.. =( Leave some extra calories for the night, try to stick to fruits and veggies too at night! That is helping me a little.. Good luck. I'd love to see some of what everyone else says too =)
  • chimpy_chimp
    chimpy_chimp Posts: 106 Member
    The desire to snack late at night is definitely a problem I share with you. The only thing that works for me is chewing gum. It is low-calorie, sweet, and it keeps my mouth busy, LOL.
  • emnk5308
    emnk5308 Posts: 736
    Brushing your teeth will take the urge away:) I always get a craving for sweets at night, so I go and do a quick mouth rinse then a brush...It works for me!! Good Luck!!

    I forgot about this one =p
  • mlscott96
    mlscott96 Posts: 9 Member
    Try low calorie snacks such as double chocalare rice krispy treats they are only 100 calories and drink a lot of water:happy:
  • jsidel126
    jsidel126 Posts: 694 Member
    Plan to stop eating some time before bed (say 2 hours). Do not eat anything after this time for several days until you get use to it. Increase this time before bed every 3-5 days and let your body adjust. You will slowly stop craving food after dinner before bed. I have used this several times and has worked for me. You will start to crave food in the morning when you get up. Breakfast foods are typically better than late nite binge foods.

    Also eliminate the trigger foods from your environment. May replace them with lower calorie alternatives or go cold turkey...

    Good Luck!
  • brendanstallard
    brendanstallard Posts: 59 Member
    If you have to eat, eat something nutritious. A handful of nuts ought to do it. Those Costco extra fancy are pretty good, hit the spot and last a long time.


    brendan
  • genxrider
    genxrider Posts: 107 Member
    Banana and water and sleep!
  • justsomemodgirl
    justsomemodgirl Posts: 18 Member
    I set a guideline for myself. My cut off time is 9:30- and limit myself to a protein packed 100-150 snack. When I feel the " boredom" coming on, I drink lots of decaf home brewed tea, and plenty of water. I find if I wait it out- it usually wanes. Also, just trying to be mindful and think about why I am concentrating on this and my goal in the end.
    Try journaling, chat on the phone- something to disrupt your thoughts. :)
    And lots of water or a flavored seltzer. :)
    Good luck! ;)
    PS I always ask myself: hunger or habit ? I find it's habit. Lol.
  • KyliAnne26
    KyliAnne26 Posts: 209 Member
    I had this problem my first week and after looking at my past week's diary I realized I wasn't eating enough fat, so now I make sure to eat as close to my recommended fat grams as possible and it has REALLY helped me. I'd make it through the day just fine with fruit and yogurt for breakfast and salads for lunch but by the evening all I wanted to do was eat!!

    I started incorporating a little bit of fat into my meals, like a tablespoon of peanut butter at breakfast, a slice of cheese with lunch or maybe half an avocado - and then come dinner time if I still have remaining fat grams left to eat I definitely eat them. Fat really helps keep you satiated and full - although many people only think of it as a bad thing.

    Hope this helps you as much as it helped me!
  • Thankyou for all your helpful tips and ideas to help me banish the little food monster at night :) I will try a few out and see which ones will be effective but they all sound great :) I would have never thought of some of the options you have given me! Goodluck with your goals everyone and Thankyou once again for all your advice and personal accounts of what works best for you :)
  • mamaomefo
    mamaomefo Posts: 418 Member
    Could try Wasa Crispbread and a half tablespoon peanut butter. Helps me because it's crunchy and filling.
  • takehimaway
    takehimaway Posts: 499 Member
    Sunflower seeds.
  • DOElston
    DOElston Posts: 102
    Fat free cocoa or sweetened hot herb tea really help stem the need to nibble. Also, brush your teeth. Silly as it sounds, you'll feel less like eating if your teeth are clean. :)
  • Schmetterling14
    Schmetterling14 Posts: 35 Member
    I use chicken or beef broth. Warm helps you feel full. The broth kinda feels like food, and it's only about 15 calories per cube. I've found that it works even better when the weather is hot!
  • IronSmasher
    IronSmasher Posts: 3,908 Member
    Save calories for it.

    Or sleep.