I honestly believe that snacking at night is an addiction, haha! I used to be a serial night snacker… because honestly, eating popcorn while catching up on tv is so relaxing. But the last few months, I have made a conscious effort to quit snacking after dinner (or after 7 PM) to allow my body to digest before going to bed. I hate that bloated and heavy feeling you have when you go to bed with a full stomach. After doing this for almost 3 months now, I have lost weight and have felt so much lighter in the morning. It feels so great! I know that this is what helps with that sluggish feeling, because I am not perfect and will snack at night on the weekends every once in a while. When I do, I definitely feel it the next day and notice a difference.
At any rate, I am chasing this awesome feeling and have been really good about it. But it does take some tricks (not gonna lie). I mean, it was a really hard habit to break! I was just so used to having popcorn or a piece of fruit or something… so a lot of willpower went into the first initial week(s).
Today, I’m sharing the #1 tip that helped me to avoid snacking, along with a couple others that I think help. If you are a crazy night time snacker, maybe these tips will help you cut back.
My #1 tip is to drink tea. Honestly, that is it. I know that doesn’t seem like a huge thing, but drinking tea would fill me up when I had that 8 PM hunger pang. I’d grab a huge mug and usually opt for something like chai or dessert-like. With a splash of almond milk, I’d sip on this all night. Not only is tea going to help flush you out, but the water really does fill you up. Whenever I had tea, my craving would go away. If it didn’t, I’d make myself another large mug! At the very least, it was a distraction.
A couple other things that help keep me on track and avoid temptation:
– Allow yourself one night to snack. For me, this is usually a Friday or Saturday night. I found that if I do this, I won’t feel like I am restricting myself. I don’t want it to be a restriction… just a healthy habit! So when we have a movie night on the weekends, you bet your ass I am going to be enjoying some popcorn and Bark Thins with my husband. Haha! Then I get right back into routine. The only downside I have found is that the next night is usually harder not to snack (I always feel this way). But again, it just takes some willpower and tea to power through and then it gets easier again.
– Find a distraction. I LOVE doing puzzles or crosswords at night. I have an app on my iPad for puzzles and I swear, it keeps my mind so busy that I don’t even think about making a snack. My husband laughs at me for doing this every night, but it is soooo relaxing and fun. And healthier than eating junk!
– Brush and floss your teeth. Immediately after Willow goes down, I will brush my teeth and get ready for bed. No one wants to eat after flossing and brushing, right? Feels too clean to ruin!
– Snack on something sweet before dinner. To me, there is no such thing as “spoiling your dinner.” About two hours before dinner, I will make myself a snack – whether a large smoothie, fruit salad, or yes, even popcorn. Having the snack before my last meal makes me feel like I didn’t miss out on anything. Plus, I will usually opt for a lighter dinner because the snack fills me up. I definitely find that this helps me eat less in the evening.
So there you have it – just a few tips that keep me on track. I always feel so much better not eating after 7 PM, so that alone is motivation to keep this habit going. I hope that these tips help you if you are struggling to quit snacking before bed. xx bianca
