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Angel44
Member
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Posted: 1 January 2008 02:13 pm |
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Eating before bed has ALWAYS been a big problem for me for as long as I can remember. I heard and read that you should quit eating 3 hours before bed. Some nights I don't eat supper until 6:30., but I still have the need to have that snack. Not fruit , not drinking water to fill me up , but eating those yummy, salty carbs . Snacktime is usually around 8PM., which means I would have to stay up until 11:30PM or later. I've been told to read, go for a walk or exercise. BORING!!!!!!!!
Another bad habit I have is eating in the middle of the night. I get up to use the bathroom and I find myself going to the cupboard for a cookie. My willpower stinks. Afterwards I feel total rotten because of what I've done.
Getting rid of all of those bad foods are impossible because my husband takes that food to work and our 22 year old son who lives with us eats the same. Those guys can burn the calories and I can't.
Anyone out there in my shoes I'm open to any advice or suggestions anyone has.
Angel44
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Nir
Senior Administrator
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Posted: 1 January 2008 03:25 pm |
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Having a rule like that would be a problem for me too. I deal with it the easy way: by not having a 3-hour-rule. I guess the first quesion to ask is: why do you want to follow this rule?
I do however have another 'rule' which I follow as if it were law: I allocate myself a number of calories at the beginning of the day and I stick to that number [or, on a few ocassions I might adjust that number throughout the day, but never to a number that is higher than my maintenance calories]. The point is: if I know I can only have 1800 calories for the day, and I am going to be awake for a good few hours, I'm not tempted to eat them all now. I currently leave 200-300 calories for the just-before-dropping-asleep snack. Sometimes I accidentally fall asleep, so when I wake up in the middle of the night (say 2-3am) I can finish those calories then.
What else is there to say? I guess the most important thing is, once you've made a decision, is how to make yourself do it. There are a number of ways beyond 'sheer willpower'. You can make it one of your affirmations (goals you repeat to yourself from time to time), you could use hypnosis, if you are religious you might ask for help (and there is a non-religious analog 12-step programme available that can help, too). I use a combination of these and this has helped me stay on track for 10.5 months.
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Angel44
Member
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Posted: 1 January 2008 06:37 pm |
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Nir,
I was always under the assumption that going to bed on a full stomach wasn't good because of slow digestion. When I say full stomach I will eat a bag of microwave popcorn and have a diet soda. Sometimes that doesn't fill me up and an hour later I'm looking for something else to eat.
I wish I could just go to bed without the cravings I have. I truly believe I would lose more weight if I quit eating before bedtime. I guess I just have to tell myself this is what I'm going to do and try to stick by it.
Thanks for the advice
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nevd
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 1 January 2008 08:14 pm |
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I used to have this problem. Like many other problems, if you can avoid it for a while, the craving to do it disappears.
When I got peckish and didn't want to eat, I'd do 6 or 7 minutes intensive weights (using light mass and high reps), concentrating on one muscle group only. When I finished, I'd sit down with a protein drink and relax. I never got the craving again before bedtime.
As I mentioned, once I'd cracked the habit, it never came back.
Hope this works for you, too.
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Angel44
Member
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Posted: 2 January 2008 02:42 am |
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~Nevd~
I know what you are saying about the cravings eventually going away. We do have a home gym so I can do the weights over the reading, etc...when I do get that nasty craving.
I could look at it this way...when I get a craving, get on the weights, because the more muscle I gain, the more fat I will burn.
~Thanks a bunch~
Angel44
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suenos
Moderator
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Posted: 2 January 2008 07:03 am |
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Angel44 wrote: Nir,
I was always under the assumption that going to bed on a full stomach wasn't good because of slow digestion. When I say full stomach I will eat a bag of microwave popcorn and have a diet soda. Sometimes that doesn't fill me up and an hour later I'm looking for something else to eat.
I wish I could just go to bed without the cravings I have. I truly believe I would lose more weight if I quit eating before bedtime. I guess I just have to tell myself this is what I'm going to do and try to stick by it.
Thanks for the advice
Hi Angel!
IMO somethimes there's things we have to commit to doing (or not doing) because no matter how much we enjoy (or hate) them, they are simply changes we simply have to git our teeth and make for long term success. But, when you keep in mind that not only do you want to lose weight - you want to keep it off without making everyday for the rest of your life into a "food" battleground - I think we have to be super realistic about the changes we decide to make.
For instance, eating a cookie or two in the middle of night every night, just cause you're up and they're there - probably a bad habit worth working hard to change. But, if you've always enjoyed having a "sweet-salty" evening snack, I personally think it's a better option to just figure out a way to make it a healthy lower calorie one and just continue to enjoy it. What time you eat has nothing to do with weight loss/gain....it's how much you eat over the course of the 24 hours.
For instance, Instead of the diet coke you could try a smoothy or "shake" made with crushed ice, fat free, sugar free yogurt (or skim milk & fat free/sugar free pudding) & frozen or fresh berries and replace the microwave popcorn with a small bowl of air-popped corn spritzed with something like "I can't believe it's not butter" and a sprinkle of sea salt or Ms. Dash. The whole thing is 200-300 calories depending on your choices.
Like Nir says, just keep in mind during the day that you probably are going to eat that bedtime snack so leave caloric room for it, make smart choices and then just relax and enjoy it.
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Angel44
Member
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Posted: 4 January 2008 02:31 am |
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~Suenos~
Just to let you know this is my second night without that snack before bed.
Wed. I got on the weights for 1.25 hours and tonight I biked 10 miles on my umcumbent bike burning just over 600 calories. I also got a new book in the mail today that is keeping my mind off the snacking. Like Nevd said, Once I crack the habit I'll be on my way. I'm also going to bed earlier now which helps too.
This weekend I'm going to buy that Hot Air Popcorn Popper. I'll be happy anyway I can have my popcorn, even if that's an early snack during the day on the weekends.
Thanks, Angel
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fysh
New Member
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Posted: 4 January 2008 02:42 pm |
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Angel44, I have the same problem. It is an eating disorder called "Night Eating Syndrome" which was first written about way back in 1955 by Dr. Albert J Stunkard who is a professor at the University of Pennsylvania Department of Psychiatry Center for Weight and Eating Disorders.
Google it.
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Victor version 4.0
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 4 January 2008 05:30 pm |
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<SHRUG>
I dunno, I always eat my biggest meal at dinnertime and have a snack right before bed...
I supose it goes to prove that we are all different, and our bodies react differently.
Victor
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Angel44
Member
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Posted: 4 January 2008 09:08 pm |
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~Hi Fysh~
That's interesting. Here I thought it was just me. I will have to check it out. Thanks for the info. What ever it is, I want to control it. I believe that is where a big part of my weight problem comes in along with lack of exercise which I'm getting a handle on and turning that around.
Thanks again,
Angel
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Peter
Founder, caloriesperhour.com
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Posted: 6 January 2008 01:31 am |
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Be sure to read the newsletter Curbing Nighttime Eating.
Peter
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Angel44
Member
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Posted: 6 January 2008 02:45 am |
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Thanks Peter. I printed it off to put with all my other diet info.
Angel
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Lucky Me
Senior Member
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Posted: 9 January 2008 04:28 am |
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Hi Angel,
The very best thing I've ever found to avoid eating at night is to have whatever snack I've planned and THEN brush my teeth very thoroughly, floss my teeth, and use some type of good, plaque-preventing (that means expensive) mouthwash. Later on, if I want a cookie, it's pretty easy to convince myself that I an NOT going to go through all that dental hygiene all over again for one lousy cookie, not to mention wasting the expensive mouthwash!
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DaniMae1
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 17 January 2008 01:34 pm |
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| I don't eat right before bed, but I do like a snack in the evening. I go for a "light" fruit cup with or without jell-o in it, a "light" pudding cup (about 60 calories) Maybe a 100 calorie pack of cookies or crackers if I've done good for the day. They have 100 calorie popcorn packs now too. Oh and I have it with some hot tea and it usually satifies me just fine! I guess you don't have to totally deny the craving. Just make a better choice.
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Angel44
Member
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Posted: 17 January 2008 09:42 pm |
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What I really hate is that I have a snack after I workout. It's like I just defeated the purpose of exercising. The cravings are always there. When I first started this challenge, I got it on my head not to snack at all before going to bed. I was doing well for about a week.
What doesn't help is when my family has their snack right in front of me. I just got home from school and I went for the Cheetos when I have yogurt and fresh fruit. I have to have those nasty carbs. It's frustrating. I'm tired of it.
Angel44
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Peter
Founder, caloriesperhour.com
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Posted: 18 January 2008 12:53 am |
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I always have a snack after a workout, but it's planned and healthy.
Peter
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luv2teach
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 13 February 2008 11:28 pm |
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ANgel44,
I am having the same problem as you right now! I usually eat dinner around 7pm and by 9pm I am ready for a snack or something sweet. I have only gone one day without my sweets at night so I am not a PRO...but my biggest problem is watching television at night and eating. So, last night I turned off the tv and went to my room and read a book. The thought of eating totally went away. IT really seems like I "trained" myself to wanting to eat when I am watching television etc. ..so my goal is to "untrain" myself.
I like the ideas of eating healthier snacks too--like the popcorn (light) and jello--maybe I will go buy some of that. So, are you still snacking at night or did you cut food out completely at night before bed?
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Angel44
Member
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Posted: 15 February 2008 11:09 am |
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luv2teach,
I went 1 week without eating before bed. Now I'm right back to where I was. Not sure what happened.
Today I'm seeing a dietician at the clinic to see if she can help me out. I know I'm an overeating and a compulsive eater. I've been thinking about checking out Overeaters Anonymous but I'm not sure if I'm reading for that. I will see what the dietician has to say.
Angel44
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artistjohn
Senior Member
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Posted: 20 February 2008 03:38 pm |
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I'm in the healthy snack before bedtime club!! Helps me sleep as well. As long as it's part of allocated cals for that day.
Good luck
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tuberide
New Member
| Joined: | 10 March 2008 |
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| Posts: | 4 |
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Posted: 11 March 2008 07:42 am |
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I love eating at night. I stay up til 1:30am most nights and will have a snack at around 12:30. I don't care if it's not recommended to do so. There is a benefit to eating late at night and that is forcing your body to do some work while you sleep, and that's to digest that food you just gave it. Of course some people don't sleep well after eating but that's not the case with me. That said, try having something like beef jerky or salted popcorn or even tortilla chips instead of potato chips and cheetos. If you want cheetos, have a bite or two of beef jerky, wait 10 minutes and THEN ask yourself if you still want Cheetos.
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JustJess
New Member
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Posted: 13 March 2008 08:11 pm |
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Yep, I am also a night time eater. Well more all-evening eater, as soon as I get in, the first thing on my mind is food. And unless I am occupied, it stays on my mind all night, and more or less everytime I go into the kitchen, I end up snacking on something or another...
I've tried occupying myself, but that only works for so long. I can't clear our the cupboards, for it is not me who buys the junk in them, and I can't really exercise as I don't have much I can do, it is dark here by 6pm, and my house is not too spacious. I have no idea what to do, I try drinking water, chewing gum, eat healthy snacks, but I always seem to still want something sweet after =|
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DaniMae1
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 20 March 2008 06:59 pm |
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| How about cereal? An actual serving of healthy cereal with a 1/2 cup of 1% milk....Just a thought...
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kukalachka
New Member
| Joined: | 20 February 2008 |
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| Posts: | 15 |
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Posted: 29 March 2008 03:22 am |
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Some nights I have work, I cant eat dinner and end up having an apple or a 1/2 cup of soup only while im working. by the time i get back home, its usually 9 or 10 and im pretty hungry...i eat about 1700 or 1800 cals a day, so when i get home i usually have about 400 or 500 cals left...
tonight for instance, i only had about 1200 cals before i got home, so when i came home i made a salad with some veggies, about 100 cals, nonfat yogurt with grapes, altogether abotu 120 cals, and 1 serving of healthy cereal with nonfat milk...sounds like a lot of food, i know, but my cals are only at about 1600...i try not to eat grains at night and havent all week, but after being on my feet waitressing all night my brain was telling me, "eat eat eat!" so i did :X
i think all together i ate about 1700 today...but reallllllllly, people...
is it bad to eat at night? i really want to believe that "it doesnt matter as long as you stay within your caloric limit..."
help? help! help?
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Melissa
Member
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Posted: 29 March 2008 04:12 pm |
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I thought one of the reasons people said it was bad to eat at night mainly because you're eating right before you go to bed and a full stomache or some food can make it difficult to get a good night's sleep. Whether there is truth in that, I dont know. I suppose the other part of the wisdom was that when you eat at night and retire shortly thereafter, you really arent burning any of it off.
But general wisdom sometimes needs to make way for practicality--if you are coming home from work and you are hungry, its like your dinnertime, you have to eat, even if its at night.
But, I admit, I dont always know what i am talking about! 
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mollymoo24
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 2 April 2008 12:06 am |
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Melissa wrote: I thought one of the reasons people said it was bad to eat at night mainly because you're eating right before you go to bed and a full stomache or some food can make it difficult to get a good night's sleep.
[Raises hand in the air] Count me in. Eat late = can't get to sleep. Guaranteed.
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XcoreynicoleX
New Member
| Joined: | 12 June 2008 |
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| Posts: | 4 |
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Posted: 15 June 2008 07:09 am |
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How I dont eat at night:
paint your nails or toenails or touch them up, fix or straighten your hair for the next day , stretch, lotion, read a magazine, play video games, have sex, computer, watch a movie, draw, take a bath, laudry, etc etc. I try to do something while I watch TV to keep my hands busy. knit or doodle or something.
then I have a few popicles in bed. its awesome :D Its somethig to look forward to and stop from snacking.
if you must eat somthing salty, low fat italian salad dressing and a tiny salad can be very low cal and do no damage. I drizzle a little bit of ranch on top if Im hungry or really want
so having a beauty or relaxation night instead of eating will make you feel 10X better the next day. try it twice and tell me Im wrong. Do it for a week and you may lose a bit of weight. I find the nightime snacking weight drops off once you quit, 5 lbs atleast the first week for me!
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gttb678
New Member
| Joined: | 16 June 2008 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 1 |
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Posted: 16 June 2008 04:11 pm |
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Dear Angel44,
I have been experiencing the same problem for the last 15 years. No matter how hard I try I have a difficult time bypassing the salty snack or sandwich before settling in for the night. I have never had a problem with eating sweets. It has always been salty snacks I crave. One way I tried to help myself was to keep the fridge stocked with Vlasic pickles. The only drawback was that I retained water.
However, I noticed in the last seven days that my nightly cravings have decreased since I started taking the diet supplement SlimQuick with Hoodia. I don't know if taking the supplement is the reason why the cravings have decreased, but I am willing to find out. I definely credit the product with increasing my energy levels and helping me sleep better at night.
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Caitlin
New Member
| Joined: | 30 June 2008 |
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| Posts: | 25 |
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Posted: 23 July 2008 09:36 pm |
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| What seems to help me is eating a filling, normal-portioned supper. Even if I don't each much of anything before that, it seems to help me to stop from eating afterwards. Like the supper is the lesser of the two evils. So I'm not stuffing my face with junk all night.
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CrimsonAnimus
Moderator
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Posted: 24 July 2008 01:24 pm |
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Interesting thread!
I started this journey as a nighttime eater, too. I have really had to work on that, but as nevd said, if you can move past it, your body will readjust.
Eating for me was also greatly psychological, like tonight. There is a brownie left on the stove, and I have passed it many times. It's speaking to me, but alas, I ignored it. Tough, I know.
Wow, I learned something. I totally thought that eating something right before bed caused your body to turn it into fat during sleep. It's actually why I'm still awake right now, because I make sure to wait 3 hours.
Lemme ask a question, then. I had been eating either a Kashi bar or Kashi oatmeal, but stopped doing that. If I eat that right before bed, will it keep my metabolism going? Because of my schedule, I only eat 3 meals a day. A 4th one would help, but I could only squeeze it in right before bed.
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takilasunrise
New Member
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Posted: 24 July 2008 10:49 pm |
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I just read this thread, too. I also realized what discussion it's under...."compulsive overeating". I never quite thought about my issues falling under that description. Hmmmm, maybe I need to examine it further. I like food. I like cooking. I like eating it. And if I really like it, I eat more of it. Since I've been with my new husband, he has always liked his snack before bed (he's a little overweight, too). I've gotten into that habit right along with him. I also went through a period where I was getting up in the middle of the night to take a painkiller (not too long after my hip surgery) and I would eat a little something with it; then, when I was no longer taking the painkiller, I was continuing to get up at night and eat "a little something". I know that had become a bad habit! I wasn't hungry or anything! The before bed snack is also a bad habit. It's just breaking the habit and it can take some time.
Now, as to the compulsive overeating...........lately I'm constantly going back into the kitchen to find something to munch on. First, I'm craving something salty, so I eat something salty. Then I need something sweet, so I eat something sweet. Then I could go back again and find something else. What is wrong with me? I'm not hungry! I have noticed patterns of that over the years and it's usually the week before my period, so I always blamed it on that. Now, it's not even then. Then I go to work, I get "bored" (though I'm working) and hit my co-worker's candy dish or hit the vending machine. I always bring something healthy in to snack on (apple, handfull of high fiber cereal, yogurt, etc.) but once I start eating candy everyday, I have to have it everyday. I guess I'm getting off track now, since this is about night-time eating, but now I see what my problem is!
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Another Day
New Member
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Posted: 29 July 2008 06:21 am |
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Hi Angel,
I'm a late-night snacker too, I cannot sleep if I feel slightly hungry, so I need food in my stomach before I go to sleep.
Usually, to offset hunger, I just drink tea. But late at night, if my stomach is rumbling (usually not too much since I should be decently fed), I just eat a Fruit Cup, and or an Apple/Banana. Thats usually anywhere between 80 to 180 calories, and its 0% fat.
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BEC950
Senior Member
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Posted: 29 July 2008 03:10 pm |
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I used to save a few calories for the end of the day just so I could have a snack before bed. I have heard conflicting theories on eating before bed time. One theory says that you don’t burn the calories so they just accumulate as fat while you sleep and the other theory says that going 12 hours or more (from supper time the night before to breakfast the next day) slows your metabolism down and put you into starvation mode.
I don’t think late night snacking is a bad thing as long as you leave a few extra calories for that exact reason.
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smileylove
New Member
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Posted: 8 August 2008 04:11 pm |
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i have a question/idea.
why dont you get rid of all that junk in the house?
if its not there- you wont eat it!
like mentioned above, someone said its pyschological eating- you know its there so you want it! ... currently, my boyfriend and i are watching what we eat = dieting.
BUT this could only work after he ate ALL the oreos, gushers, .. JUNK in the house. no way us youngsters were going to throw out fruit rolls ups or pretzels :) so we just finished off the last of the junk!! theres nothing bad left!! .. so our last trip to the grocery store was a different experience.. we didnt even go down those junkie aisles! :)
so now when he is craving something snacky - he grabs the celery sticks i prewashed & cut for us! he will dip them in peanut butter or low fat cream cheese- its so easy! and its not OOBER impossible- who doesnt love peanut butter? you just need to grocery shop smart- then come home and immediatley prepare yourself for those late night binges!
i am normally a healthy/smart eater- but i swear if there are fresh cookies or snacky junk in the house.. i know it. and everytime i open the pantry and SEE it- its harder for me to say no, as opposed to me not even seeing it to HAVE to say no! :)
does that make sense? cool :)
good luck!
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CrimsonAnimus
Moderator
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Posted: 8 August 2008 07:07 pm |
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If I lived alone, that would work for me.
However, my mother, sister, grandmother, and nephew live with me, and none of them eat like I do. Fast food, pasta, cookies and more are brought in this house and cooked all the time. Sometimes I think smelling it is even worse than seeing it.
Well, it's a good lesson for willpower, IF you can take it. I grab a bite of it sometimes. Can you smell what the Rock is cookin'? Yes, I can, BUT I DON'T WANT TO EAT IT! LOL
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OnceUpon-A-ThinGirl
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 9 August 2008 10:18 pm |
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| Crimson, your will power amazes me, pasta is like my downfall. I think it's awesome if you can just take a bite and have a little treat, I would love to be able to do that!
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CrimsonAnimus
Moderator
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Posted: 12 August 2008 07:40 am |
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It's easier with some things than others. I don't get a sweet tooth very often, and fruit or peanut butter usually satisfies it. When it doesn't, I'll take a bite or two of something really sweet in the house, and then be done with it. A love of sweets runs in this family, so I'm glad I didn't inherit it!
Other things, like red meat, potatoes, and pasta, are much more difficult. I did eat some eggplant parmigiana yesterday at home, with whole wheat pasta. I ate 8 ounces of pasta, which is moderation for me!!! LOL
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byte_me
Member
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Posted: 29 August 2008 01:09 pm |
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i know how you feel sweet. that was my problem too.
it was hard for me too coz i dont live alone, i got kids at home, and there's always sweets and jellies in the cupboard or in the fridge.
what i did was, picture myself i pound less when i wake up if i dont attack the fridge or the cupboard, and wake up 5 pound heavier if i do.
well, it worked for me. andoh, u cal also try this. eat a carrot, or a slice of apple or banana instead. :)
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