x-post: night eating syndrome/disorder -- anyone dealing with this?

hi guys!

exploring this with a therapist who works w/eating disorders.  this is in the new diagnostic manual used by mental health professionals, but that's really neither here nor there.  There are a variety of critaria and googling it will give you some good resrouces.

the part that really resonates for me is that you are taking in more than 25 per cent of your calories at night (as in after a healthy dinner), that you are eating if not hungry, eating carbs, and that you realize that you don't really need to eat and are unhappy about the pattern.

this is soooooo me!  i either have crap in my house and eat it or have nothing and become frantic, like, almost addict frantic about not having "anything to eat".  i do have food in the house, but it's not what i'm craving.  scary.

one suggestion that my nurse practitioner gave me quite a while ago is to plan in the calories to be eaten then instead of stressing about the eating.  the carb part is a problem.  i think you can be addicted to carbs.  i'm so scared to give them up.

any process you guys can think of?  going cold turkey from my "drug" scares the bejesus out of  me!

I plan my evening calories. I usually have a protein hot chocolate. It's pretty satisfying and it's kind of decadant. And, if I really need to treat myself for some reason, I put whipped cream in it.

Hey Ann, I plan evening calories. Lately I've planned to eat the hummus and veggies that I didn't get a chance to eat in the morning. Also, I like to have a "treat" each night which is usually a chai tea or a decaf coffee. It really helps me.

I plan my day the night before...and I plan for evening snacks.  Last night, I had half a quest brownie bar with peanut butter and a decaf coffee (first).

Do you take any sleep medication. Ambien and others like it cause night eating for many including me.  If I don't fall asleep after taking the meds I have an unbelievable need to eat. Some people actually wake up and eat and don't even realize this.

In terms of carbs at night you have to make it non negotiable I think. We are tired and carbs give us instant energy/high  and then a crash.  Have some protein like cheese and celery or a protein drink to get you over the night time cravings. Since I stay up late I almost always have a late protein drink - it tastes like a treat and keeps me satiated until bedtime. Find one that works for you or doctor one you will love. My go to one is Premier chocolate with 1 tablespoon PB2.

My fave go to book when I start to crave or feel bored, etc. is "50 Ways to Soothe Yourself Without Food" by Susan Albers. The ideas in this book are just great and often just reading as opposed to doing the suggestion is enough to get me through a bad period. 

One suggestion that isn't in the book but has worked for me is brush your teeth after your last snack  - basically telling yourself - I'm done eating for the day. Some times I'll do this a couple of times in the evening instead of going into the fridge.