After Dinner Snacking

One of the biggest obstacles in my weight loss journey has always been night-time snacking . I could eat well all day, have a great totally balanced [ carb., protein , and veggie]  dinner, I could even have dessert , and still  end up with the munchies by 8:00. For a longtime this bad habit derailed my efforts , and left me frustrated. I finally got a handle on it using a few strategies . If you feel those night-time munchies all too often yourself maybe one would work for you.

• Save dessert : I do this on weekends a lot. I know I will be up later than on weekends , and I know that I will want something later on in the evening. I save my dessert until 8 or 9 and have it then, guilt free !
• Schedule a snack for the evening : Sometimes I will lighten up my calories at an earlier meal , or skip either a morning or afternoon snack and have it after dinner . Especially if I am planning on catching up on the DVR or watching a movie . I will make some pop corn and munch away, but it is controlled and deliberate !
• Brush your teeth : Sounds silly , but it is very effective ! For some reason when I brush my teeth it is a signal to my brain that I am done eating for the night. Every night , directly after dinner I brush my teeth !
• Ask yourself if you are hungry, or something else : I realized that my night-time snacks were more out of habit , than actual hunger. If I am really NOT hungry , I have a hot cup of decaf. green tea, or even a 1/2 can of diet soda in a nice glass, and that helps get me past the cravings.
• Go to bed ! : This has been my saving grace while trying to over come my night-time urge to munch. I go to bed and read. Most of the time I get involved in the book , and that takes my mind off of food. reading also makes me feel relaxed, and helps empty my mind . It makes me sleepy , and more often than not I do fall asleep. Enough sleep is an important piece of the weight loss puzzle . A little more sleep for less calories taken in is a good trade !

These are some things that work for me. What do you do when the urge to snack at night hits you ? Are there any tricks you use that help you avoid the munchies ? I am always up for suggestions !

 

Today , I fasted from dinner last night, until dinner tonight. I am going to try to do this from now until the Holidays , at least one day a week. With all the little extra goodies floating around from now until the New Year, I need a little extra insurance that if I choose to over indulge here and there, I won’t blow all the my progress.

I’ve also decided to make all treats this season worth it ! By this I mean , eating things I know I love, or treats that are homemade and special . There is so MUCH food and sweets that come with the season , that sometimes I find myself eating things because they are there. This year I plan to be more selective , and spend my calories like money. Only “buying” treats that I know will be worth the calories I will be spending on them . This way I don’t need to feel any regrets. I also plan on being mindful of how much I eat of the treats that are worth while. If I’ve learned anything this past year, it’s that one is just as, if not more in some cases, satisfying than eating 6 ! In most cases, just allowing myself a taste of something I love is satisfying in its self. It is very liberating to know I can have what I want, and still keep in control.

 

When dinner finally came around tonight I was ready for it ! I’d called Matt from work this afternoon and asked him if he would grill me a turkey burger . I had the burger on a whole grain Light  English Muffin, oven fries, and a salad with reduced fat cheese and sunflower seeds. It was sooooo good ! Especially after having fasted all day.

 

For dessert tonight , I had 1/4 c. of chocolate covered raisins, and a little Reese’s peanut butter cup.

Now I am off to brush my teeth and read 🙂 ! Hope you have a great night !