Late Night Snacking
 

So I've noticed my big problem (after almost a week of eating healthier) comes around 10pm. I'll do FINE all day! I'll be at 1500 calories (my current goal) and then around 10pm I'll get hte munchies and I'll eat... and eat... luckily I've curbed it to mostly healthy food, but still!

Is there any way to cure these late night munchie attacks?

I found that drinking a glass of milk helps, since it coats your stomach to where you aren't as hungry...and you can drink the fat-free stuff!

Is there anything wrong with late-night snacking, besides (obviously) the extra calories? Lots of days I only get in about 900-ish calories during the day, because I'm just not hungry, but I'll get hungry at night... last night I had some Kashi and soynuts. Any foods to avoid at night?

I've talked to a nutritionist about night-time snacking and was told that the idea that you shouldn't eat at night is just a myth. The bottom line, according to her is that calories are calories and assuming those late night snacks don't put you over your limit there is no harm done. I think the only thing you should avoid are the obvious foods or drinks high in caffine, etc. or anything that might interrupt your usual sleeping habits. Personally, I intentionally save 300-400 calories to eat later in the night after the kids have been put to bed. I have always been a late night snacker and don't think I could stick to a plan if I didn't fit that in for myself. So, I would say snacks at night are just like anything else regarding weight loss: aside from burning more calories than you consume there are no hard or fast rules rather it is just a matter of finding what works for you.

I am a midnight muncher too! If the urge becomes too much, I go to bed to sleep it off.

I thought it was bad to eat at night because you can't burn the calories right away, since you fall asleep rather than walk around or do whatever?? I might be wrong though.

I heard that too -- that eating (especially too many kcals - especially carbs) at night right before going to sleep goes directly to fat storage. Better to eat 200 kcals (slightly more or less) of protein as it doesn't get stored as fat. Same, apparently, with a tiny bit of fat, like peanut butter (I'll sometimes take a t. of peanut butter in a spoon and suck on it like a lollypop if I'm desperate for "sumpin!) I'm on a quest to lose 23 lbs. and 11% bodyfat by April 4. Just started Mon 1/10 and am very new here and look forward to meeting you all! N2L

I googled "eating at night and weight loss" and the first three links indicated that it is a myth that eating at night leads to weight gain or difficulty losing weight. Basically, they each state that since our bodies don't stop functioning just because we go to sleep we are still burning calories. Also, one mentioned that our bodies lose/gain weight over weeks not hours. Still, I've always heard the same rule which prompted me to ask the nutritionist in the first place. And I suppose, like anything else in dieting, late night snacking may affect each person differently. Personally, I've successfully lost weight while including snacks at night.

Eating at night is a myth :D I've talked to a nutritionalist about it today and they told me that it was a myth and so long as you stay within your daily range you're fine (just as jawsmom said)

I dunno. I can keep to the same amount of calories, and snack on only healthy choices late, and can't lose an ounce. But when I can go without night snacking, I start losing again.

One thing I found that helps, I snack if I'm just sitting. Say I sit and watch a movie...then I want to put something in my mouth. Instead, I get up and march in place in front of the TV. Been trying that lately and it's working to keep me from snacking.

i used to save cals for late night snacking until i realized that i wasn't sleeping well because of it. now i get my 1500 in before 7 or 8 at night.

then if i get hungry i head straight for the bathroom. i floss, and brush my teeth, then i was my face, sometimes give myself a facial, it takes my mind off being hungry. then i go in the kitchen and start water for some tea. tea helps me sleep anyway. and after i spend all that time flossing and brushing my teeth, there is no way i'm going to eat something and mess up the dentist clean feeling.

Just thought I'd add my 2 cents. I eat every 3 hours or so and come 9:00-10:00 (I eat dinner at around 6:00), I'm ready for a snack! I typically have one of my regular 100 cal. snacks at this time unless I'm not hungry or I've had a heavier than normal dinner. It is never mindless snacking because I know that if I start I won't stop, but I almost always have a healthy snack between dinner and bedtime. This works for me but I also recognize that evening snacking is just not an option for some people. I figure you just gotta do what ever works for you. If you think you can handle it and you're truly hungry, I say eat! Just make sure it's planned and healthy and don't allow yourself to fall into the mindless snacking.

Beverly

When I was counting calories, I saved some for later at night. Like Beverly, I planned snacking too.

i have always heard that you burn the most calories at night.. that is why it is so important to get a good nights sleep when you are trying to lose weight?!

Mindless munching is what I think the fuss is about, more than metabolism. For me, night-time snacking is rarely about hunger. I'm usually restless, bored or mopey, and I 'forget' that I've already had plenty to eat today.

I try to stick to an apple or a protein shake, but when the mood hits me, I can overdo it on healthy foods if that's all that I have around. Sitting in front of the TV in my comfy chair seems to trigger something around 9-10 PM, so I have been avoiding consuming anything except water or tea, unless I'm sitting down at the dining room table. When I remember, I can distract myself with phone calls, doing my nails or cleaning up (absolutely my last choice :lol: ). I have a variety of things that I can be doing with my hands, like learning to knit, filing recipes and putting my photos in albums. If I'm going to reach my goal this year, I have to get to the point where the distractions become habits.

If anyone would like a buddy for email alerts during the danger zone of 9-10:30 PM (US Eastern time), send me a private message, and we can swap email addresses. :comp:

judy

Late night snacker!
 

Hi,
I'm Lisa and I have a problem with late night snacking. :dizzy: Last night I had cornflakes with Splenda at about midnight. Is that too late to be eating and when I have these cravings should I be eating something else? I read you guys posts and they answered some of my questions and made me feel better about my problem. If anyone has any advice I'd love to hear it! :)

Lisa, are you really feeling hungry at midnight? If you're hungry, maybe you need to make sure that you're eating enough earlier in the day. If the message is coming from your tongue, and not your stomach--you have a 'taste' for something--you could try a little herbal tea or brushing your teeth. If you are just wanting something, but you don't know what, it might be that you're like me, and using sugar and grains to fill an empty emotional or spiritual space.

If you're working with a doctor or nutritionist, maybe she can help you make sure that you're taking in enough calories throughout the day. And the next time this craving strikes, ask where it's coming from, from your stomach, tongue or heart....that's what I'm trying to do, anyway. At this point, I'm limiting myself to an extra apple or orange when I really 'need' something late at night. It's getting better every week, and is beginning to feel more like a habit than a jones. :halffull:

Good luck!

judy

night snacks.
lost 3lbs one week from just cutting out eating after dinner. Find it very hard though as I work at home after dinner, sedentary work/study and have to conquer a lifetime of
procrastinating in study by overeating or it is anxiety about study or study is a trigger to snacking. Does any one else struggle with this one. I want to complete 2 university papers and work full time this year and am not looking forward to coping with eating and study. Love to hear anyone's thoughts

I've taken to keeping gum around. Late at night, I always seem to get those munchies, and it's not that I'm hungry. So I chew gum. It keeps my mouth busy and I don't snack.

Hey Lisa--
I agree with the tea idea too. It's soothing and will fill you up without having the additional calories. Also try the milk idea--that always works for me. I used to eat a lot of cereal at night too, since it's easy to make and quick, but i slowly got out of that habit and have lost a little bit of weight. By the way, you said you use Splenda in your cereal..Does that taste good? I've read in recent articles that it contains chlorine, so that's what i have refrained from using it..

I also save about 400 calories for snacking in the evening, usually popcorn or an ounce of chips. I have also read that being tired and not getting enough sleep can trigger the hunger sensor. I know I couldn't stay on the wagon if I didn't allow calories at the end of the day for snacking!