Evening Munchies!!

[keightieh]

So I'm having this persisting problem where all the foods I am eating are Whole30 approved, high quality and satiating but.....

When I get home at night after a 12 hour shift and my boyfriend is working night shift, the apartment is empty of witnesses except for my 9 lb. pup who is more than happy to partake in some (healthy) snacking with me. I am so bored and lonely that I turn the TV on to get rid of the quiet. As soon as the TV goes on, no matter what I make for dinner (high protein good fats, veggies) I never feel full. It's like TV over-rides my off switch. I wait 20 minutes to feel full after dinner but I don't so I eat a second helping and still don't quite feel satisfied and am plagued for the rest of the night by cravings even when I KNOW I'm full. Even consuming good food, calories can pile up, and I know I am over-eating.

I'm pretty positive I can resolve the issue by unplugging the TV (which shall be done tonight!) and turning on some music or picking up a book or taking the dog to the park, anything to re-route the boredom. I was just wondering if anyone else was having a similar problem and how they have dealt with it, especially after a long long day when your resolve and self-discipline are at their weakest and your motivation to do really anything is gone.

I understand what drives the cravings. I understand the difference between hunger and cravings and can identify which I am feeling. But at night when I'm already worn out I just can't seem to say "no".

Any suggestions?

[kb0426]

I think changing up your routine is the best thing you can do! You have already recognized the issue; get home and do something different tonight. Don't have the TV on when you are eating, and when you are done with your template size serving of food, get up and take the dog for a walk, paint your nails, brush your teeth...something! This will distract and make snacking that much more difficult.

We do so much out of habit; changing up those habits and creating newer, healthier ones are key!

[keightieh]

Thanks!

[Moluv]

Getting more sleep could help too. Sounds like working a 12 hour shift and then eating dinner puts you pretty close to bedtime anyways. Melatonin could help get you to sleep earlier than on your own, and from what I've read in the book it's the hormones resetting that will curb overrating. More sleep could help your hormones perhaps?

[jennrider]

Nighttime snacking was one of the hardest habits for me to break. I find that eating a huge breakfast helps. It sets my day up correctly and I don't sabotage lunch/dinner with snacks during the day. The first two weeks, I just went to bed. That was hard for me too. Nighttime, after my kids and hubby are asleep, was the only time I had to myself without trying to cross 5 thousand things off my to do list. For some reason, that was when I allowed myself to sit and read/relax without multitasking. I make sure to take the time during the day to just be. The laundry hasn't formed into a monster and joined forces with the dishes to kill me if I sit down for a few minutes. The urge to snack will go away. One day you'll realize that you didn't even think about eating more food after supper. It will be a glorious day. Hang in there.

[Kirsteen]

All great suggestions, I found for me the key to not wanting to spend the whole evening grazing was to eat plenty at breakfast. I know it seems weird, I couldn't quite get my head round it but found that, no matter how much I ate for dinner, I wasn't satisfied unless I'd had a good breakfast.

[MelliebuStacey]

Thirded on brekky. Lots of food in the morning--makes me happy because I love me some breakfast, and keeps the hunger monsters better in check when TV is on before bed.