Eat Eat Eat
Posted by Weasel on Apr 20, 2008 · Member since Jan 2007 · 51 posts
I never feel like eating anything during the day, and them become mercilessly ravenous at night. I seem to like to gorge on peanut butter, probably because my body craves protein. I don't know. I'm just frustrated with my eating habits because I want to be healthy but seem to be gaining weight. Does anyone else have this problem. :P
I do! Something about night time brings on the carb cravings in me--I just want to eat all night long--and only stuff like chips, anything with potatoes and cookies! Not eating at night is probably one of the hardest things I have to deal with every day--so you are defintely not alone!
Weasel, it's easier on your metabolism to eat several snack-size meals throughout the day, and you will probably lose weight if you do. It helps regulate the appetite and keeps your blood sugar on a more even keel. Try to eat snacks with a little protein, a little fat, and some fiber & vitamins -- a small apple and a few almonds, for instance, or a fruity soy yogurt, or a salad. If you don't eat all day, you won't be hungry until evening, and then your body won't be as efficient in processing that heavy evening meal. Best of luck!
I have that problem with peanut butter, so I usually just don't have it at home. I get my protein from other lower-calorie sources like beans and tofu. That way I don't overdo it. If you stock your pantry with fruits and veggies, then you can curb your cravings without taking in too many calories.
I bet that if you started eating less and less during the evening, you actually would be hungry earlier in the day. Whenever I eat a lot at night, I am not hungry in the morning, and it just throws everything off. Maybe you could try shifting everything back a bit. Then you won't be as tempted to overeat in th evening when you are tired because you'll feel like you've eaten well throughout the day.
Great advice... thanks guys ;)b
You might want to look into Paul McKenna's techniques for controlling cravings and overcoming emotional eating. www.mckenna.com If you eat a healthy, low processed vegetarian diet, it's more a matter of why you eat than what you eat, IMHO! Good luck.
I love Paul Mc Kenna.. I watched his show on TLC, and i lost 3lbs in 3 weeks..I really don't need to lose much weight (i'm on Weight Watchers maintenence for like 4 years now, I haven't gained back but those "last 5" have been a bitch to get off) but I always felt like food was such a battle. Following his techniques, there's not battle. I eat what I want when Im hungry. It's amazingly simple. I feel like a gigantic chain has been removed from my neck.
I'm notorious for grabbing a tub of peanut butter & fruit spread and digging in with a spoon. I notice that I crave it more when I haven't had much protein that day. :D
when i crave stuff at night it is because i haven't had enough calories. i usually try to have a bedtime snack (it is getting later, i have always eaten after dinner though, i would be famished if i didn't) now, which helps my blood sugars not go too low at night (which increases glucagon activity and your body overcompensates, making your blood sugars high in the morning). i find this helps give me a healthy appetite in the morning, rather than not feeling like anything for a while (which happens both when i eat too much and when i eat too little).
food is a complex thing for me. i am trying to figure myself out, but i really think that everyone needs to do that --figure themselves out. nothing is universal.