late night cravings
- Thread starter tori
- Start date
richardbaxter
New member
I have this problem too, I don't mind a hard workout, but its preventing the hunger in the evenings thats the hardest part.
The only time of day that I have problems is late evening. For some reason I find that if I exercise or keep myself busy in the evening I'm not so hungry. I think it has a lot to do with the fact that you tend to relax in the evening and have more time to obsess about food. I try and have plenty of fruit around preferably fruit that takes longer to eat like water melon as you have to get rid of the pips or oranges that need peeling as this will distract you for a while.
antyoch
New member
I find I crave a lot in the evenings as well, the biggest part is not letting yourself give in, but if you have extra calories you could also try;
20 grams (a slice about 1/2 inch thick) low fat cheese (about 50-70 calories depending on the kinds), wrapped with ham or turkey slices (if you only use 2-4 slices its not over 50 calories).
Yogurts are also good! go for no sugar added and low fat.
If you're a fan of pickles I find cottage cheese with sliced pickles is good.. or just cottage cheese on its own.
Depending how late it is as well, if its still about 8pm ish I'll have some high fibre crisp bread with cream cheese, although as flumes said try to keep it protein, so I dont do that very often.
yogurt with peaches or apricots or pears are good as well, i use the canned in juice, it will come to about 120 calories using half a can and a 50-65 calorie pot of yogurt.
You can do it
20 grams (a slice about 1/2 inch thick) low fat cheese (about 50-70 calories depending on the kinds), wrapped with ham or turkey slices (if you only use 2-4 slices its not over 50 calories).
Yogurts are also good! go for no sugar added and low fat.
If you're a fan of pickles I find cottage cheese with sliced pickles is good.. or just cottage cheese on its own.
Depending how late it is as well, if its still about 8pm ish I'll have some high fibre crisp bread with cream cheese, although as flumes said try to keep it protein, so I dont do that very often.
yogurt with peaches or apricots or pears are good as well, i use the canned in juice, it will come to about 120 calories using half a can and a 50-65 calorie pot of yogurt.
You can do it
there are several things you can try, here is what I do sometimes:
1. Make a cup of chamomile or your favorite tea (I prefer chamomile in the evening since it is relaxing and has no caffeine). Since it will be hot and take a while to drink, it should help take away those cravings. The fact that it is all water will fill you, the warmth will comfort you and it keeps your hands and mouth busy for a while. BTW, try not to add any milk, sugar or any calories to it or else you might be defeating your purpose.
2. 100 cal popcorn. A whole bowl of popcorn for 100 cals. Satisfies me when I really want to munch.
3. low calorie fruits. I tend to give myself free reign over how much I eat of fruit since it usually fills me well before I eat too much of it and since fruit is for the most part, lower calorie, I don't limit myself. I usually eat strawberries, blueberries, melon, and clementines. No, these are not all low cal fruits, but like I said, most fruit will always be a better option than even a low calorie processed snack. You get vitamins, water, fiber and it is sweet!
4. Asian sweets. Sounds weird, I know, but if you happen to have an Asian food store near you, check out their cookies and such. They are usually individually wrapped so you hold yourself accountable to only allowing one wrapper to get unwrapped. Many of the ones I really like are within 100-125cals each. It satisfies my chocolate sweet tooth. They're not very sweet, but just enough so. I might have one of these with my chamomile tea.
5. (my favorite one) A glass of low-fat milk. Not only will this fill and curb off your cravings, it is healthy and the protein (casein) in it is supposedly the best type for your body to utilize while you're sleeping.
As far as figuring out the cause of your cravings, that would probably be the most beneficial. My husband and I like to watch our shows after the baby is asleep, so lately we've been sneaking out our show snacks then. This had turned into a terrible habit that we now associate with enjoying our shows. I started drinking a glass of milk right before I put my daughter down for bed so that my stomach was content earlier and then I could sip on tea while watching our shows. It helps to really try and get to the root of your habits to find an effective way to deal. If you also are associating your evening routine to eating, try to do something different to break your habit. Instead of watching your shows, set your DVR if you have it, and go for a 20-30 minute walk.
Hope some of this helps,
L
1. Make a cup of chamomile or your favorite tea (I prefer chamomile in the evening since it is relaxing and has no caffeine). Since it will be hot and take a while to drink, it should help take away those cravings. The fact that it is all water will fill you, the warmth will comfort you and it keeps your hands and mouth busy for a while. BTW, try not to add any milk, sugar or any calories to it or else you might be defeating your purpose.
2. 100 cal popcorn. A whole bowl of popcorn for 100 cals. Satisfies me when I really want to munch.
3. low calorie fruits. I tend to give myself free reign over how much I eat of fruit since it usually fills me well before I eat too much of it and since fruit is for the most part, lower calorie, I don't limit myself. I usually eat strawberries, blueberries, melon, and clementines. No, these are not all low cal fruits, but like I said, most fruit will always be a better option than even a low calorie processed snack. You get vitamins, water, fiber and it is sweet!
4. Asian sweets. Sounds weird, I know, but if you happen to have an Asian food store near you, check out their cookies and such. They are usually individually wrapped so you hold yourself accountable to only allowing one wrapper to get unwrapped. Many of the ones I really like are within 100-125cals each. It satisfies my chocolate sweet tooth. They're not very sweet, but just enough so. I might have one of these with my chamomile tea.
5. (my favorite one) A glass of low-fat milk. Not only will this fill and curb off your cravings, it is healthy and the protein (casein) in it is supposedly the best type for your body to utilize while you're sleeping.
As far as figuring out the cause of your cravings, that would probably be the most beneficial. My husband and I like to watch our shows after the baby is asleep, so lately we've been sneaking out our show snacks then. This had turned into a terrible habit that we now associate with enjoying our shows. I started drinking a glass of milk right before I put my daughter down for bed so that my stomach was content earlier and then I could sip on tea while watching our shows. It helps to really try and get to the root of your habits to find an effective way to deal. If you also are associating your evening routine to eating, try to do something different to break your habit. Instead of watching your shows, set your DVR if you have it, and go for a 20-30 minute walk.
Hope some of this helps,
L
I struggle at night too. Its now got to the point where I just have to literally force myself not to eat anything I shouldn't. I allow myself a snack, like a tin of tuna mixed with a few handfuls of mixed salad, but still want more. Even if I don't feel hungry lol. I just force myself to not eat, and chew sugarfree gum lol
cerad
New member
Night time struggles are the worst. On a different thread one poster suggested brushing your teeth. It seems to work for me since I hate having to brush twice. I'll also sometimes use mouth wash and just keep swirling it around for 5 minutes or so.
Otherwise, get up and get out of the house. Late night yard work might sound strange but it gets the job done for me. Wash the car or sweep out the garage. I live about two miles from the nearest store. I'll sometimes walk there, buy an apple and then walk back.
Otherwise, get up and get out of the house. Late night yard work might sound strange but it gets the job done for me. Wash the car or sweep out the garage. I live about two miles from the nearest store. I'll sometimes walk there, buy an apple and then walk back.
AlbyTrawlin
New member
Try drinking a glass of water. If you're still hungry, drink another glass.
I like taking about three fourths of a cup of frozen blueberries and about three to four frozen strawberries and blending them together to make a creamy, cool, and naturally sweet treat. Sometimes I'll add a half a scoop of protein powder because it changes the consistency a little and lightens the acidity. I only use a half a scoop because I don't really need that much protein at night and would rather save it for after or before a run. Adding a fourth of a cup of plain yogurt is great too, with a splash of vanilla extract or perhaps some jam if you're feeling like you need something really sweet.
Catharina
New member
I think I must have been a Tibetan Monk in a previous life: I do not like to suppress any urge... or strain myself past the point of what is comfortable ( thus, I suck at aerobics!)
Some ppl here have some great advice, but for me, drinking water when I have a craving just makes me feel worse for it.
I like to have a raw egg yolk (just the yolk, not the white) , mixed with some freshly squeezed grapefruit juice. Yum. 130 Caolries with one grapefruit - 200 calories with 2 grapefruits. It satisfies me, and makes me sleep deep and peaceful.
I do not really like eating fruit (whole) at night, as it makes me ferment when I sleep. Same with starchy foods.
Some ppl here have some great advice, but for me, drinking water when I have a craving just makes me feel worse for it.
I like to have a raw egg yolk (just the yolk, not the white) , mixed with some freshly squeezed grapefruit juice. Yum. 130 Caolries with one grapefruit - 200 calories with 2 grapefruits. It satisfies me, and makes me sleep deep and peaceful.
I do not really like eating fruit (whole) at night, as it makes me ferment when I sleep. Same with starchy foods.
JasminYoung
New member
Try to drink a cup of green tee. It helps a lot in my experince.