Old Habits (Eating at night)

It really sucks to struggle with this after 20 months of success.  I have been eating great for the past 20 months and I am very routine in my diet.  Recently I am finding myself craving sugar at night.  For the most part I have controlled the urge to eat right before bed, but I am noticing a trend to stay up late at night and that was a real problem for me before the surgery.  I was a big time binge eater before bed. Does anyone have any suggestions about how you deal with night time hunger?  Thanks for your input, Dwight

If I may suggest giving in just a tad but keep it as a sugar free something like A SINGLE cookie. I know the serving sizes are three cookies but that one little cookie at night helps me to keep away from the real sugar. I eat it right before bed (before I brush my teeth and hit the pillow) I also have a non-fat light yogurt (6 ounce cup) from time to time...I also made some non-fat, frozen banana soy yogurt too...Just because I have an ice cream maker and a recipe for frozen banana yogurt (sub soy milk for the whipping cream and splenda for the sugar...I'm set)  I'm not typical because I have to eat a bit more to maintain according to our accountability posts but I'll be in a different situation when the 18 month mark comes around, I guess.

Dwight - this has been a problem for me too!  I have been working longer hours at work and by the time I get home, do what I have to do and relax it is 9:00.... then I start thinking about dinner. Since I know I should not be eating that late I found that if I have a sugar free jello or pudding and add a spoon full of s/f coolwhip just to satisfy my hunger and give me the impression that I treated myself (mind over matter)it works.   The other thing I do is hot tea.  Might not sound exciting but it helps.  I make it a little sweeter with splenda and it seems to help the head hunger and relax me so I can try to sleep.  Best of luck and if you find any better solutions - please pass them along!  Valerie

I work very hard to keep a bottle (of water silly) in my hand instead of food. I too tend to be a night time snacker. I do always have Kay's Natural's on hand for snacks, because they are high in protein I go for those instead of chips or cookies.

Dwight, I am almost 3 years post-op (Feb 08) and deal with night time eating also.  It's a day struggle; lots of time when my husband is working (7/7) I am in bed reading a book at 8:00 because I can avoid eating if I'm there, lol. Not much to offer as I am struggling with it also but wanted to share with you that you are not alone.  I'm going to read other replies now. Good Luck!

I am so glad to read this thread.  I really had a problem before my surgery but in the past few weeks, the old ways are creeping back in and I want to stop them before they start.    I try to have one or two little sugar free cookies and it usually helps.

What are Kay's Naturals?  I have never heard of them or seen them in the store.

Well I am glad I am not alone. Thanks for the ideas.  Someone emailed me about taking melatonin at night to make me sleepy.  Has anyone tried it?

melatonin worksreally well for me post-op (and it didn't pre-op). I have to be ready for bed when I take it because when in 30 minutes, I zonked out. I sleep really well with it, too.

Night time eating has been my problem too.  It was before surgery as well.  So, I try and workout in the evenings to keep busy and wear me out LOL.  Plus, I try not to watch T.V. too much.  And I try to go to bed earlier as I tend to be a night owl.  I do take the melatonin, and it helps make me ready for bed earlier and I sleep more soundly.

Melissa