Late night snacking

I'm still pre-op, and one of my biggest problems is late night snacking. They say alot of people are emotional eaters, but I think I mostly eat out of boredom (and maybe even habit now). I watch a bunch of my tivoed shows & I just munch munch munch :( So what did you other snackers do ? Did you replace all the snacks with healthy snacks,or just cut out nighttime snacking all together ?? And if you did, how did you do it ?!!  I think once I start losing more weight, it will give me more incentive, but I'd like to hear from you :)

Boredom is considered an emotion, so if you eat out of boredom that would be considered emotional eating...odd as it sounds.   I was a boredom eater too...I only work about 5 to 8 days a month, so I have lots of time to be bored if I allow it to happen.  

I totally cut out my evening snacking.  I tried snacking on healthier things like Greek yogurt, etc but I wasn't crazy about them and would still find myself foraging through the kitchen and pantry for something "good".  Now if I start thinking of snacking at night the first thing I do is brush my teeth.   Then I drink, drink, drink and look for something to keep my hands and mind busy.   I crochet and watch tv  , sew,  or work on whatever quilts I have in progress.  Sometimes I just brush my teeth and go to bed...even if it is only 7pm. lol.   But then I am single so I know no one needs anything of me if I do that.

Lizzy S in OR

That is exactly what I do.  I don't want anything to spill on my quilt so I don't keep food nearby.  I keep my water in a water bottle to sip.  If I want to eat I have to get up and go in the kitchen to get it.  Usually I am so involved in sewing I forget about wanting to snack.  

I also Keep a bowl of cut up veggies in the fridge.  It is perfect if I want something crunchy that is healthy.  I love to munch on cherry tomatoes and diced carrots.

To break the cycle, you've got to change your habits.  Turn off the TV and work out-or do a puzzle (although the exercise will help you in your weight loss efforts too!).  Only watch TV for a set amount of time each day, and stick to it.  If you can'****ch all of your shows in that timeframe, well..........maybe cut back on what you watch....Go out and live your life instead of watching a made up one on TV.....

Try cleaning/organizing, gardening, exercising, bowling, volunteering.........cooking.....yes, cooking...practice healthy recipes! If you keep your hands/brain active, you wont have time for snacking.

I was a night feeder myself and I cut it out and drink now instead of eat.  If I want something, I make sure it is something healthy.  This is one habit you will have to work on as with many others.  No one can really tell you what works best this will be up to you in the decisions you make.  You have to be willing to make these changes and do them.  This will not be an easy road, but one worth the travel!  Jane

Boredom late-night-snacker here.  I would just drink water early out as there was zero hunger or room to add in a snack.  Most nights now I'll have something small to eat.  I usually look for a higher protein snack although I'm guilty of indulging on a cookie or other sweet treat too.

I am a late snacker too. It is really tough to break the habbit.

I had someone ask me once to give them my top two tips for managing to maintain my weight, no one had ever asked me that, so I thought about it and the most honest answer I could come up with was carrots, and spinach. Why those? because after I have eaten my protein and all my healthy foods for the day and I am pretty much out of calories, I turn to them when I must have something to eat. I make a huge spinach salad and use spicy mustard for the dressing, or I get my baby carrots out mix up 2T low fat sour cream, 1 T PB2, and one pack splenda, and I have a big ol' bowl of carrots and peanut butter dip.

Where before RNY my snack would have been 4 bowls of cereal while sitting on the couch watching tv (just honest)

So I haven't' quit snacking, I just do it much differently post RNY.

Late night eating was a problem for me too.  I know it was emotional - the house was quiet, I'd be reading or watching a little TV and it was a way to "nurture" myself.  My nutritionist, before surgery, recommended replacing those snacks with a protein drink at night and I started doing that even before surgery.  It helped alot actually.  Now, I'm ten weeks out and I just drink, drink, drink.  There isn't room or time for anything else.  A few times I've gone for the protein drink again, if my protein intake is low during the day    I was always told the best way to find out why you are eating is to stop.  I think, for most of us, food is an addiction.  We have to feel the emotions and find ways to take care of ourselves other than food or we'll never make it.  Good luck to you!  So - drink; feel; and if all else fails - just go to sleep!