Question:
Problems with snacking at night
— jujuprof (posted on July 30, 2008)
July 30, 2008
Dana it is a slippery slope for many, so be very careful. I snack at night
but I eat little during a lot of the day, so I still balance out. You can
balance it with exercise, or day eating. Also balance what you eat, and
never never snack out of a bag. Take a hand full of something and walk
away, get a small bowl and put it in and walk away. Force yourself to have
small portions and plann them out, no treats but maybe once or twice a
week, a snack plan is better than snacking on whatever, whenever. If you
must snack, do it smart, and if you see your weight is going up or staying
still, well, then you have a choice to make, lose weight or continue to
play this chicken head game with yourself. The choice is yours Dana, but
so are the consequences. Take care. Patricia P.
— Patricia P
July 30, 2008
Even after over 5 years out and a sustained loss of about 300 pounds, I
still find that I go through bouts of having to battle late-night snacking
and grazing. First, remember that one of the long term goals is to
establish healthy eating habits and that late-night snacking isn't a
healthy habit. For me, I got into trouble trying to rationalize
late-night eating by telling myself that I had been "good" all
day, or that I had done a lot of outside work or exercise so it was all
ultimately "balanced". When I had fallen into that trap, I
found that I was right back to being the guy who would have a box of
Snackwell cookies because they were "fat free". For me, I will
drink superconcentrated Crystal Lite when late night hunger hits-- the
tartness helps dissipate the hunger sensation. Also, if I am truly hungry,
I will have something that is very low in carbs so that way my blood sugar
isn't impacted causing me to crave more later on. For a time, I even
resorted to pork rinds because they are a low-carb snack that you can
really only have a few of before you realize what it is you're eating.
But, I guess the ultimate rule to follow is to establish a very bright line
rule for yourself that you will not cross no matter what-- make it
manageable but something that you can enforce for yourself
— SteveColarossi
July 30, 2008
Celery = fiber. I get the munchies at night, so I have changed my daily
routine to fit my cycle. If I can't get out for a walk, I go to bed by 9p.
If I wake up early in the morning hours, I find that I do not have the
same "munchie" habit. If early enough, I go to the gym before
the sun comes up. I know its far fetched but it works.
— C-There
July 30, 2008
6 YRS OUT AND STILL HAVE NITE TIME MUNCHIES.I DO EAT BUT CONTROL IT.LIMIT
IT.BUT I ALSO EXERCISE MY BUTT OFF EVERYDAY.
— deb44m
July 30, 2008
We eat dinner a little later than we used to. I have a usual bedtime snack
that has not prevented me from losing weight. I have six mulit-grain
saltines with a little peanut butter to make them sandwiches, because of
the protein it fills me up. Sometimes I've had a spoon of peanut butter.
And that worked for me. Another concrete stategie. Watch what you bring
into the house. Don't stock pile junk food. On cereal, special K has a
new cereal that is 9 grams of protein. I find I can't eat as much of it
because it makes me feel so full, but satisfies the cereal crave with low
sugar! Good luck and hang in there.
— lesleigh07
July 30, 2008
Hi Dana,
Sometimes dehydration and exhaustion can cause feelings of hunger so I try
to drink a glass of ice water and see if the hunger goes away and sometimes
I just go to bed. I also think that deprivation can lead to binging so I
try to substitute healthier snacks. I think combining the peanut butter
with the celery is a good one for many folks. Boy, I miss peanut butter
-over the years I've found that peanut butter is one of my allergy foods
that causes asthma flareups and interferes with singing so I stay away from
it. Tomatoes and seafood do the same thing but I'm not willing to give
those up yet, I just watch what days I eat them.
The other thing I do when I feel hungry is get my mind busy with a
project...cleaning out e-mails, filing, something busy that makes the time
go by and next thing it's either time for bed or it's time for the next
meal. Hang in there...it takes a while to change a habit. Best wishes,
Regina ([email protected])
— Bigwyfan1964
July 30, 2008
I know several post ops at support meetings who will "water load"
at certain times of the day, to feel full and avoid feeling the hunger.
Head hunger can be another issue you you'll have to mentally get through
that. It may be difficult, but eating after dinner is an issue--even for
me, over 2 years out. If you do really feel the need to snack, dried peas
or edamame may be a good choice. Low carbs, no sugars, lower fat
calories--but they do have calories--but the best part they have plenty of
protein. Dried peas have 6 grams of protein per 1/4 cup and dried edamame
has 14 for the same volume. These suggestions are also offered on my
profile page. DAVE
— Dave Chambers
July 31, 2008
I guess since I've never really been a 'night' snacker (I'm a day time
snacker), it's probably a little easier for me. All I have to do is make
sure I don't keep my desk stocked w/junk (which isn't always easy
considering if I order things - even sugar free or whatever - from the
U.S., it comes through my office mail so it can jump out of the box right
there and never make it home.
If I do have a snack, I try 80% of the time to make it healthy - and I do
keep a little sugar free things in the house for when I must have something
sweet - not that I don't eat the full sugar stuff too but I try to have
alternatives! - and I do what someone else suggested...take a serving size
and get away from it. never take a bag of chips, popcorn, cookies or
anything and tell yourself that you'll only have a few...because assuming
you're like the rest of us (and if you're on this forum for WLS you are!),
you and I both know that's not going to happen.
Plan ahead for your snacks and make sure you have healthy alternatives. If
you're craving something salty - have some salted sunflower seeds on hand.
By the time you chew them out of the shell and eat the seed inside, you
work your way through a handful, it's taken you a bit to eat them (if you
eat them one at a time) and it's likely not even a full serving size you've
had. One of my favorite snacks is to peel a banana, smear peanut butter
the length of it on one side, and eat that. I only buy natural peanut
butter - I don't care if it's creamy or chunky just so there's none of the
sugars or hydrogenated anythings in there - and it's great. I actually
started the natural peanut butter years before the WLS just because I saw
it at the grocery store and wanted to taste it...and once I tasted it, I've
never been able to go back to eating the other stuff - Jif, Skippy, Peter
Pan...ugh, they're all nasty! Yeah...I have to mix the oil back up in
it...but it tastes so much better and I truly am satisfied with a bite of
it.
The only other suggestion I can give you - set a rule. After dinner, if
you have tea, make a cup of tea....then the kitchen's closed for the night.
Make a last call announcement for your family that the kitchen's closing -
then don't go back except to get water...and if need be, get your water jug
filled up before you close it. Don't stash snacks anywhere but the
kitchen...and stay out after you've cleaned up for dinner.
Good luck!
— Hollywog
July 31, 2008
— Lady Bugg
July 31, 2008
Try fresh fruit and if that does not work there are several different types
of canned fruit from Del Monte that are "No Sugar Added" and say
so clearly on the label that taste just great and they are done with
Splenda. I cure my sweet tooth with fruit and if it is not sweet enought,
I add Splenda. Give it a try.
— William (Bill) wmil
July 31, 2008
4 1/2 years out and this is one question I wish I could find an answer
to...This is by far my biggest struggle...It's as if after dinner my pouch
becomes the bottomless and the struggle for healthy good choices then
becomes a battle of the mind....I make myself crazy at night trying to not
think about food...I'm a night owl so I eat early (since DH goes to bed
early) and I am up for several more hours...I eat more when I am bored
watching TV and seeing food commercials or just bored between commercials I
am thinking about what might taste good...I know it's my head because I get
tot he fridge and nothing looks good...My trick is to have LOTS of healthy
choices and no bad ones. I plan this out all week...I have plenty of small
fruits, yogurt, cheese, soy crisps, jerky, edamame, roasted soy nuts, pork
rinds...raw veggies when things get really bad...letuce w low fat or no fat
dressing...pickles and lunchmeat...Ihave to have all of these things
available for my many taste and texture cravings at night. Lately I try
chewing gum...sweet gum helps for a while til my jaws ache! But it's not
easy at night for me either...Constant battle for me...
— .Anita R.
July 31, 2008
One thing you also might think about is it sounds like you are snacking on
salty foods. Maybe you need to add some saltly stuff into your diet
earlier in the day. I also use V8 or tomato jiuce when I have a need for
extra salt.
I am also a night snacker so I have to be very conscious of what I have
available and focus on not eating out of bordem.
Amy
— Radgalut
July 31, 2008
I agree with everyone else-find a better choice for your snack. But, it
has been said that bedtime hunger is also a trigger that your tired and
need to go to sleep.
— [Deactivated Member]
July 31, 2008
I agree with everyone else-find a better choice for your snack. But, it
has been said that bedtime hunger is also a trigger that your tired and
need to go to sleep.
— [Deactivated Member]
July 31, 2008
I feel your pain! Sounds like you like "crunchies". Sometimes
at the end of the day we want to relieve our stress, crunching certainly
helps and the full feeling right before bed is kind of like warm fuzzy
feeling to some of us. I have recently lost 5lbs (from the 20 I gained) by
not eating after 6pm and waking up 1hr earlier to exercise. It has been
4weeks and the loss on the scale sure beats that midnight snack. Habits
are easy to create but so hard to break. Best of luck to you. Contact me
anytime!!!
— bariatricdivalatina
July 31, 2008
Suggestions:
1. Eat all your meals/snacks at the table.
2. Focus on eating when you eat, no books, video games, tv, etc.
I think that most people, myself included, tend to eat more if they aren't
paying attention. If you eat only at the table and without distractions,
you will be more focused on food, and hopefully more satisfied. I am also
much less likely to snack if it involves signing off the computer, turning
off the movie, stopping the game, etc.
3. Brush your teeth after meals.
Mmmm... nothing like minty beef jerky. I think that brushing after meals
gives your mouth, mind, body and taste buds a reminder that meal time is
over.
4. If you shouldn't be eating it, don't bring it into the house.
5. Replace bad snacks with good ones.
If you don't have any chips/cereal/popcorn in the house, it makes it a lot
harder to snack on. If you have to go to the store to satisfy a craving,
its usually easier to resist. It's also important to have good things in
the house to snack... blanched veggies with dip is good, soy crisps/chips,
cheese, low fat lunch meat, high protein/low carb meal bars, sugar free
candy.
6. Allow yourself a treat every once in awhile, but don't go overboard.
Some thoughts on your snack food:
Read labels.
Most beef jerky has sugar/carbs and nitrates, neither are great for you.
Check out some of the low carb / high fiber / high protein cereals. I
like Curves cereal, Optimum Power Flax Cereal, and some of the high fiber
cereals are pretty good with berries and a spoonful of splenda.
Air popped popcorn isn't all that bad for you. You just need to be aware
of how much you are eating and what you put on it. One cup of air popped
popcorn has 31 calories, 6.2 grams of carbs, 1.2 grams of fiber, and less
than 0.5 grams of fat.
Good luck to you! :)
— mrsidknee
August 1, 2008
Hi Dana, I battle night munchies as well i wouldn't suggest pickle because
there high in sodium and may make yu retaain water. I try to eat things
like 1/2 cup cottage cheese and 1/2 tomatoe something that will fill you up
with out to many calories.
Melissa
— mshollsten
August 2, 2008
Thank you all so much for the advice & suggestions. I've collated the
ones I can use and have made a list to remind me.
— jujuprof
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