How to Overcome Nighttime Cravings/Snacking
How to Overcome Nighttime Cravings/Snacking
The first thing is to identify whether you eat due to hunger or craving. Sometimes you can under eat during the day and thus get hungry at night, thereby mistaking it with cravings. If you have troubles sleeping at night and wake up severally in the middle of the night from hunger, this act is a true sign of hunger. At such instances, you will need to eat real food.
After identifying that you are not eating out of hunger, and it’s thus cravings, you can go ahead and use the following tips to overcome the snacking behavior. Remember that it is not wise to suppress the cravings by depriving yourself of these snacks. You can substitute them with healthy snacks or alternatives that will work best while keeping you healthy.
- Following the Two-To-Three Hour Rule
Consider keeping yourself satiated and energized during the day by eating after every two-to-three hours. It will encompass breakfast, morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack, and dinner. The chances are that you will not get the urge of reaching for a snack in the kitchen after dinner.
- Make Proteins and Fiber Your Best Buddies
Ensure that every meal that you take has proteins and fiber. They will keep you feeling full for longer time periods and thus sustain your energy levels. Go for healthy proteins like lean protein, low-fat dairy products, seeds & nuts, beans, and whole grains. Our last meal at night should be made of more proteins than carbs.
- Indulge a Little
You can go crazy with nighttime cravings when you deprive yourself! Once a day, you can allow yourself a small treat with healthy snacks like low calorie 4 net carbs “rice” pudding, crunch flavorful roasted chickpea, and homemade low-calorie hot chocolate. By being healthy, they will make you avoid feeling guilty about snacking at night.
- Sip Some Water
Water is life! Keep a glass of water or a cup of warm decaffeinated tea by your bed when you go to sleep. Each and every time you feel like snacking, sip it slowly to keep your mouth busy.
- Give It a Break
Maybe you are used to certain behaviors after dinner that has made snacking a habit. Do you read a book after dinner with snacks by your side? Or do you go to bed immediately after dinner, making you feel the urge to eat? Change the habits, and you can take a walk after dinner or watch a movie. Try to keep yourself busy by breaking your usual cycle!
Hopefully, the above tips will help you break your nighttime cravings. You can also search for more healthy snacks like chocolate, cracker, milkshake, or brownie and replace them with the high-calorie snacks.
For more Nutrition tips click here.