Tips to help you stop night snacking

It is not unusual to find yourself racking the fridge late in the night for one last bite or a drink to set you on your way before getting into bed. Some people will even wake up for a snack after getting into bed. But not unless you are pregnant with unbearable cravings you should avoid night snacking.

Not only are you likely to gain unnecessary weight but you are also putting yourself at risk of complications like diabetes, high blood pressure and fatigue. Having a late night snacking problem? Here are some tips to help you curb the problem:

Identify your triggers

Like any other eating disorder with triggers, night snacking is no exception. You could probably be stressed about something, bored or compensating on daytime hunger, either way you should be able to identify a pattern when you likely night snack to help you work towards changing. Finding the reason behind your disorder is the first step to tackling your night snacking problem.

Get rid of junk food in the house

Another reason why you could probably be eating unnecessarily at night is because you know you have food that is readily available in the house, all you will need to do is grab a packet of crisps to munch while you keep warm in bed waiting for sleep. When you keep healthier meal options in the house, it is unlikely you will have the push to wake up at night and snack.

Prepare dinner early

When you have your dinner early, you give your body enough time to begin digestion which means you are likely to sleep on time and avoid any late night snacking temptations. Eating late in the night will mean you spend a good part of your night probably snacking as you wait for the main meal this is because the body doesn’t register junk food as real food.

Reduce your screen time at night

This could either be watching movies late into the night or browsing and chatting. When you spend a good part of your night active, your body will stay active as well, meaning you are likely to get hungry within hours. Instead of watching TV or browsing, try reading a book or writing a journal right before bed, this way your brain can debunk and you can guarantee a good night’s rest.

Eat consistently throughout the day

To help you curb night snacking you should also ensure you eat consistently throughout the day. Always have breakfast, lunch and supper and throw in a fruit here and there. When your body doesn’t get enough food your brain doesn’t get enough food and one way or another you will have to compensate for the deficit, usually it will happen at night when you are idle.

Resolve the issues stressing you

Emotional eating is also amongst the reasons why some people snack at night. They use food as a way to soothe and suppress the issues bothering them. Find an alternative way of handling your issues as food will offer a temporary relief but not a lasting solution. It is also known that stress causes insomnia and lack of sleep will mean more time to snack at night.

Tip: Night snacking is a habit nurtured over time and sometimes not easy to stop on your own volition, in such a case seek the help of a professional who will help you identify your triggers and implement a treatment plan.