How To Stop Eating At Night – 13 Tips When Hunger Strikes
Want to know how to stop eating at night? Here are 13 excellent tips for how you can ditch that late night eating habit.
Let’s chat about how to stop eating at night.
Here are 13 excellent tips for when late night hunger strikes so you can ditch that late night eating habit.
Let me ask you an important question – do you stick to your diet all day long but struggle with late night cravings?
If so, you aren’t alone.
Many people are super diligent when it comes to their daytime eating habits but feel like all hell breaks loose the moment the sun sets and nighttime hunger approaches.
In this post we will be discussing why when you eat matters almost as much as what you eat.
The goal is to help you enjoy more of the foods you love and still lose weight with these easy lifestyle adjustments by ditching bad nighttime eating habits.
Changing the Way You Eat
HOW TO STOP EATING AT NIGHT
TIP # 1 – Get familiar with the latest research.
There have been many studies over the years about whether calories consumed at night are more likely to make you fat.
The general consensus is that it’s best to eat when you are the most active, which is obviously during the day.
You may have heard that Oprah avoids eating after 7:30 p.m.
I aim to stop eating even earlier – after 6pm.
Try resolving to stop eating a couple of hours before bedtime.
One more thing – I once read about a study that said Americans and the French actually consume the same amount of calories; it’s just that the French consume 70% of their calories BEFORE 2pm and Americans consume 70% of theirs AFTER 2pm.
I thought that was super insightful and helped explain the higher rate of obesity in the US.
If you can consume most of your calories before 2pm like the French, that will definitely help when it comes to your weight management.
HOW TO STOP EATING AT NIGHT
TIP # 2 – Start with a healthy breakfast.
Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day.
Remember what they say:
Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper.
Your body really does need to refuel in the morning.
Plus, you’ll be likely to eat less for the rest of the day if you begin with a full stomach.
Make a healthy omelet or drink a yogurt shake with a slice of whole wheat toast and avocado and tomato to start your day.
HOW TO STOP EATING AT NIGHT
TIP # 3 – Eat more frequently.
Every four to six hours is ideally a good time for a meal or a snack.
This schedule will keep your metabolism up and help prevent you from overeating at night because you arrive home from work starving.
Not eating enough throughout the day sets the stage for night time binging. Kris J Simpson
HOW TO STOP EATING AT NIGHT
TIP # 4 – Choose healthy snacks.
If you do eat at night, choose your snacks wisely.
Having cut vegetables, fruits, nuts, and whole grains are obviously all better options than processed foods high in sugar and fat and low in nutritional value late at night.
HOW TO STOP EATING AT NIGHT
TIP # 5 – Consume more fiber.
Fiber is ideal for keeping you feeling satiated while eating less.
This ingredient is why a plate of steamed broccoli sprinkled with a little garlic or vinegar leaves you feeling more content than a cookie that contains more calories.
HOW TO STOP EATING AT NIGHT
TIP # 6 – Limit your portions.
There is still room for your favorites like ice cream or brownies.
Just measure out a sensible portion so you get the flavor without adding to your waistline.
There’s no rule that says you have to have a whole bowl of ice-cream as opposed to just a tablespoon or two with a banana.
HOW TO STOP EATING AT NIGHT
TIP # 7 – Drink water or tea.
Beverages without any calories give you the experience of snacking without interfering with your diet.
Sip water anytime and enjoy a cup of decaffeinated or herbal tea in the evening.
Having a herbal tea will make you feel like you are having something which actually denting your healthy diet plan.
Other Lifestyle Adjustments
HOW TO STOP EATING AT NIGHT
TIP # 8 – Improve your sleep.
It’s easy to ignore the refrigerator if you’re sound asleep.
Keep a regular schedule, buy a good mattress, and block out distracting lights and sounds.
Go to sleep early – at 9pm if you usually get tempted by the fridge every night at 9:30pm.
HOW TO STOP EATING AT NIGHT
TIP # 9 – Wake up early.
Early risers tend to weigh less than night owls even if they eat the same amount.
Try going to bed and rising an hour earlier.
You’ll naturally eat less at night if you start your days earlier and consequently get tired earlier in the evening.
HOW TO STOP EATING AT NIGHT
TIP # 10 – Brush your teeth.
Once you brush and floss, you may decide it’s too much trouble to clean your teeth again so you’ll pass on the cheesecake.
This is a strategy I’ve heard lots of celebrities mention when it comes to kicking the night time eating habit.
You’ll also keep your teeth and gums healthy – bonus win-win!
HOW TO STOP EATING AT NIGHT
TIP # 11 – Turn off the TV.
A sedentary lifestyle plays a big role in weight gain.
I mean seriously – crisps do seem more appealing to eat while you are sitting mindlessly in front of the TV.
But those calories do count and they seem to weigh more when consumed at night.
You can also go for a walk or visit the gym after work instead of munching while you watch TV or surf the Internet.
HOW TO STOP EATING AT NIGHT
TIP # 12 – Reward yourself with non-food treats.
Substitute a warm bath or a good book in place of your usual bag of chips and soda.
Can I be honest?
These things are way more pleasurable than a late night snack and they leave you feeling GREAT and rejuvenated.
Your new rituals will soon become a habit.
You need to be aware of the impact of late night eating. All those calories just sit there unused and turn into fat while you sleep.
HOW TO STOP EATING AT NIGHT
TIP # 13 – Keep a journal.
If you need help changing your ways, writing your activities down may help.
It will also remind you of how many calories you really consume at night.
I’m obsessed with journaling and I have one for both my business and personal goals (health included).
So if you are struggling with late night eating or late night hunger, make sure to try these different approaches to nip this bad habit in the bud.
The goal is to get plenty of restful sleep and eat sensibly all day starting with a nutritious breakfast.
That way you’ll be better prepared to ward off late night hunger strikes and reach your weight goals while giving your body enough calories to feel full and energetic.
Remember you don’t cure emotional eating by removing all comfort foods. You do it by learning how to comfort yourself.
Let exercise be your stress reliever, not food.
If you don’t like something change it; if you can’t change it, change the way you think about it. Mary Englebreit
Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin. Mother Teresa
One moment of patience may ward off great disaster, one moment of impatience may ruin a whole life. Chinese proverb
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I’m Frances Vidakovic – a mindset & action coach for quietly ambitious women who want to stop overthinking and finally take aligned action. I help women achieve their goals and follow through on what matters, without sacrificing their sanity or soul.