Midnight "snacks"

[Mongoose]

Hello,

 

I have a huge problem with eating at night. I can be very healthy during the day without many problems. However, I often wake up at night and want to eat. Sometimes I'll eat as much as 800 calories (I would guess). I don't starve myself during the day, so I know it's not because of that. I'm so frustrated with these "midnight binges" because they offset my goals so badly. That's not even mentioning the effect that they have on my self-esteem. Does anyone have ideas for how to stop this?

 

Thanks!

[sophia34]

I've heard of a psychological condition called "sleep eating," where people eat tons of calories in the middle of the night without remembering it in the morning. But since you're aware that you are eating, we can mark that one off the list.

 

Even though you say you don't starve yourself during the day, I'd have to look at that as the next culprit. How many calories DO you eat during the day? What do you have for breakfast, lunch, and most important, dinner? You'd need to analyze that thoroughly to figure out if there's a cause there. Make sure you're eating at least 1200 to 1500 calories during the day. Even if you are hitting that mark, I'd still try moving dinner to later in the evening, perhaps an hour before you go to bed, to try to ensure that you won't be hungry in the middle of the night.

 

I'd also suggest that you look at any emotional triggers that might lead into nighttime bingeing. Are you lonely, bored, or depressed? These can manifest themselves into eating binges, where you tell yourself you're hungry, even though you're not actually hungry for food.

 

Finally, if you can't come to a solution on your own, then you should find a good therapist to walk you through it. If you are eating enough during the day, you are eating a proper dinner before bed, and you can't identify any emotional triggers on your own and you're STILL bingeing at midnight, you need to talk this out with a professional.

[Outcast]

You might want to try a before bed snack of something whole-grain and filling. Maybe a piece of whole-grain toast or some oatmeal. I can't sleep hungry so I usually have a hot chocolate and maybe a couple crackers before bed.

[newbby]

often we mistake thirst for hunger. perhaps you are waking up dehydrated, do you drink lots of water?

[Mongoose]

Thank you so much for the quick replies. I eat around 1,550 calories a day, with relatively little junk. I'm thinking that it is probably something emotional. It's almost as though when it's nighttime, those calories don't seem to "count".

 

Maybe you're right, Sophia--perhaps the food is giving me company when I wake up and I'm lonely. Any suggestions about what to do to resist the urges?

And Outcast--thanks for the idea. I have some low calorie hot cocoa that I can try. Maybe something warm will help.

 

Once again, thank-you. I know that it seems like we're all strangers behind screen names, but you're really a big help! I'm a 19 year old college student, and it's hard to talk to peers about things like this.

[sophia34]

If you are using food to fill an emotional need, look for something else to substitute for food that is a form of self-care that's good for you. Tell yourself that you'll do this other activity for at least 10 minutes before you head to the fridge. Usually, 10 minutes' distraction is all you'll need for the craving to pass.

 

Some things to try:

 

-doing a yoga tape

-taking a bubble bath, complete with candles

-reading a magazine or book

-giving yourself a manicure/pedicure/facial

-meditating

-crocheting or knitting

-organizing a drawer or a closet

-cleaning a room in your home

 

The 10-minute distraction is a great way to train yourself out of the eating habit. Get past the initial craving, and usually you'll get past the bingeing impulse altogether. Plus, many of these activities will give you a sense of accomplishment that may also make you feel better than the food does.

 

Another suggestion: About 3 to 4 hours before you go to bed (no later, or you won't be able to sleep), engage in some rigorous exercise--running, kickboxing, spinning, etc. (either via a class or an exercise tape) Exercise will usually tire you out and relax you by the time bedtime rolls around and you may find you'll sleep through the night, right past the bingeing hour.

[jasmine111]

Eat more during the day, preferably for breakfast. Eating right before you go to bed will make you gain weight since your metabolism slows down dramatically. If you're trying to lose weight, drink a glass of water right when you wake up, eat a huge breakfast, dont eat beofre going to bed and if you are really try drinking something.

[Outcast]

Eating right before you go to bed will make you gain weight

 

If you count what you eat at night in with your daily calorie allotment, you'll be fine. I have had nighttime snacks forever and I'm not overweight. They are part of my daily calorie intake, not an extra few hundred calories above.

 

For professional opinions on this matter:

http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/2225.html

 

Myth: Eating after 8 p.m. causes weight gain.

 

Fact: It does not matter what time of day you eat. It is what and how much you eat and how much physical activity you do during the whole day that determines whether you gain, lose, or maintain your weight. No matter when you eat, your body will store extra calories as fat.

 

Tip: If you want to have a snack before bedtime, think first about how many calories you have eaten that day. And try to avoid snacking in front of the TV at night it may be easier to overeat when you are distracted by the television.

From the National Institutes of Health

http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/myths.htm

[pippen_2k]

I too am not a believer in 'dont eat before you sleep'.

 

Most afternoons I have training and dont get home untill about 7.00pm. I then usually make myself a HUGE meal for dinner as my body needs it to recover from the days exercise.

 

After eating dinner im usually exhausted and find myself crashing out around 8.30 most nights, and Im never waking up untill I have to in the morning.

 

So I recommend exercising in the afternoon, and then having your dinner after that. You will find yourself dead tired after ur meal and all you will want to do is sleep.

 

Give it a try.

[bicyclejunk]

the mistaking Thirst for Hunger is a good Theory...

 

I have been known to do this...

 

 

Also..I've been known to just eat when i've been stressed out

or bummed or bored...I eat late too....I hate it...gotta get a

control over it...