Night Snacking???

To stave off the urge for a nighttime snack and to stick with your weight-loss strategy, keep your metabolism rolling during the day by eating breakfast and getting adequate portions of fruits, vegetables, healthy grains, and proteins. Then, if the urge for a nighttime snack arises, Dr. May recommends asking yourself, "Am I hungry?” She suggests look for physical signs that you need food. "Your metabolism doesn't shut off at 7:01 p.m.,” May says. “The problem is that most after-hours eating is not done because you need fuel, so the calories you consume are stored."




Eating out of boredom or habit can be controlled by introducing a new hobby that keeps your mind engaged. Sewing, reading, and playing cards are good options. "Finding an alternative can help develop a different habit that doesn't include food," says Leman.



Emotional eating is trickier to curb. Just as finding a new hobby engages your mind, it also helps you separate mentally from the stress of your day. Another strategy is to find a way to ease into the change of pace at night. An evening walk, yoga, and sipping herbal tea are effective ways to transition to a relaxed state of being.



Nighttime Snack: Give Yourself the Go-Ahead



Many people think late-night eating causes weight gain, but it's not when you eat that matters, it's what and how much you eat. If you find that you are truly hungry late at night, wait 10 minutes to shift the focus away from food, then if the craving doesn't subside, choose a small portion of a healthy nighttime snack such as yogurt, fruit, popcorn, rice cakes, low-fat cottage cheese, turkey deli meat, or crackers and low-fat cheese. Says Leman, "Giving in can sometimes stave off a binge later."