Five Tips For Avoiding Midnight Snacks

Midnight cravings are just one of many things that can ruin a diet.

Often, snackers crave sugary or fatty foods in the middle of the night, which can really rack up calories. Here are five ways to avoid late night snacking.

1. Eat Plenty of Fiber

Foods with high-fiber content don’t contain many calories, buy they do keep you feeling full longer and can reduce hunger pains. Fiber also stabilizes blood sugar levels so that you don’t wake up with cravings in the middle of the night for sugary foods.

Eating a fiber-rich evening meal with non-starchy vegetables, and drinking at least eight cups of water throughout the day, can also reduce midnight cravings.

2. Avoid Boredom Eating

After a long day at work or school, it’s only natural to relax. Taking up a hobby like knitting, reading, jigsaw puzzles or simply meditating can occupy your mind. Snacking to entertain yourself, however, is not a healthy option.

If you’re not a homebody, try taking a class in the evening or joining a book club. If you’re not bored at home, you’ll be less likely to snack.

3. Eat Dinner Later

Many people have a tendency to eat around 6 o’clock in the evening, with plenty of time afterward for snacking before bed. The closer you plan dinner to bedtime, the less likely you’ll be to eat after your evening meal.

4. Eat Regular Meals

Eating regular, healthful meals throughout the day controls your blood sugar levels so that you won’t crave sugar or fats. Eating breakfast within 90 minutes of waking up and having healthy snacks between meals can reduce cravings later.

5. Stock Your Fridge with Healthful Foods

The best way to avoid eating sugary or fatty snacks is not to buy them at all. If you have only healthy snacks at home, you won’t be able to eat anything bad while you’re there.

Source: Fit Day