How to Stop Food Cravings At Night

Posted by admin

February 24, 2010

A great way to curb your appetite and control your weight gain issue is to stop food cravings at night. Many overweight people struggle with nighttime eating, which is a habit more than anything. When you consume food after 8pm or so, your body doesn’t break down the calories you ingested as effectively as it does during the day. You may even go to sleep right after you snack, obstructing your body’s ability to break down carbs. Learn how to stop those annoying food cravings at night.

Step 1 – Eat a healthy, well-balanced supper around 6pm and no later, if possible. Include lean protein, vegetables, and some carbohydrates in your dinner. Protein helps you feel full…longer.

Step 2 – If you like to eat dessert, keep it in moderation. Eating an entire bowl of fudge ice cream may leave you feeling full, but the high sugar content can leave you even hungrier several hours after you consumed it.

Step 3 – Drink lots of water. After dinner, have at least two bottles of water before you head to sleep. You’ll help wash out toxins and keep yourself feeling full.

Step 4 – Distract yourself. If it’s close to midnight and the thought of chocolate cake saturates your mind, distract yourself. Put in a movie, take a bubble bath, or open a good book. Before you know it, your craving will subside.

Step 5 – Have a mug of warm tea, preferably green tea. Don’t add sugar or cream, either. Not only will it calm you down, ingesting something other than water can fill your stomach up and curb cravings.

Step 6 – When you’re in bed, read or listen to soft, soothing music. The quicker you fall asleep and STAY asleep, the less likely you’ll be to sneak into the kitchen for a snack.

Step 7 – Chew gum, A lot of times people eat just because they think they need to be chewing on something. Sugar-free gum is a perfect solution

Step 8 – Ask for help, Using food as a source of comfort is something most of us do at one point or another. However, if food is your ONLY source of comfort, this is a sign of a bigger problem. Talking to someone about it can help you get past these issues so you can focus on your health. I’ve been there many times, and I found that something as simple as picking up the phone and talking to a friend or family member really helps.