Kicking the Late Night Eating Habit Can Help You to Lose Weight

Late night eating is a common problem amongst people trying to lose weight. Eating late at night can lead to unhealthy habits and poor nutrition intake, ultimately preventing weight loss progress. Thankfully, kicking the late night eating habit can help you to gain control of your diet and achieve the weight loss goals you have set for yourself. Read on to learn how changing your nightly eating habits can help you on your journey to better health and weight loss.

1. Start Kickin’ the Late-Night Binge

Late-night binges are tempting but they can throw a wrench in your health goals. Whether it’s a craving for ice cream after dinner or a late-night bar binge, why not take the reigns and put your health front and center? Here are some tips to help you kick off your late-night binge.

Stay ahead of temptation: Schedule something fun that will take away the temptation to engage in a late-night binge. Have a weekly night or two where you have a craft night with your friends, go for a jog, or pick up a new hobby.
Limit your alcohol intake: Drinking not only dehydrates your body, but mixed drinks contain a significant amount of calories. When you’re out, opt for drinks with low sugar and focus on soda water. Consider switching from drinking alcohol every night to only on the weekends.
Pre-determine your treats: Before you can even reach for that late-night treat, pre-determine which snacks you’ll reach for. Prep your freezer with healthy treats that are within the right portion size like un-salted nuts, Greek yogurt, or frozen grapes.
Go to sleep early: As tempting as it may be to stay up late for a series finale, getting a good night’s sleep can help keep your appetite in check the next day. Instead of binging on snacks at 10 pm, head to bed and get a good 8 hours of sleep.

By following these tips, you can start setting yourself up for healthy nighttime habits that will help you maintain your health goals. Instead of grazing on snacks late night, you can invest your time in more meaningful – and healthier – activities.

2. Combat Those Late-Night Cravings

Late-night cravings can be hard to ignore. They usually attack when you are tired and vulnerable, tempting you with chocolate or ice-cream or chips. The best way to combat them is to:

Be mindful of what you eat in the day – eat clean, healthy and nutritious food all throughout the day.
Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated, which will help with cravings.
Stay active: Exercise can help with cravings and is also beneficial for overall health and wellbeing.

If you’ve tried all of the above and find yourself still faced with a craving, don’t be too hard on yourself. Try indulging in something healthy such as popcorn or a frozen yogurt – these healthier options can still be equally as delicious.

3. Shed Pounds with Smart Eating Habits

Smart eating habits are sure to shed those unwanted pounds and leave you looking and feeling great. Let’s get started and break down the basics of healthy eating.

1. Eat Clean

Focus your diet on lean proteins, fresh vegetables, and whole grains.
Choose organic whenever you can.
Limit processed and convenience foods.

2. Keep Portion Control in Mind

You don’t need to exclusively stick with tiny portions of food.
However, actively monitoring what and how much you’re eating is essential.
Take regular breaks throughout your meals and assess your fullness at each break.

Making small changes to your diet can make a huge difference. Incorporating fresh, clean ingredients, and monitoring portion control can help you maintain the perfect weight.

4. Give Your Metabolism a Boost Before Bed

A vigorous late night workout might not be the best idea — late-night calisthenics can make it hard to fall asleep. Instead, opt for less-strenuous activities to give your metabolism a boost without having to do too much. Here are four simple pre-bedtime activities to get your metabolism going:

Go for a quick walk: A brief 10-minute walk around the block is a great way to get your body moving and your muscles working before turning in for the night. Plus, it’s a chance to take in some of that fresh night air!
Have something light and healthy to eat: Eating a healthy snack such as a small piece of fruit or a handful of nuts can help your body burn more calories as you rest. Keep it light and healthy so your stomach won’t be unsettled when you try to fall asleep.
Do some mild stretches or yoga: Before calling it a night, do some gentle stretching or a few light yoga poses to release any tension and stimulate your metabolism. This will help keep your body engaged and ready to make the most of your rest and recovery period.
Re-energize with a cup of green tea: Swap out your usual late-night cup of coffee for some green tea, known for its ability to help boost metabolism and digestion. You can enjoy a cup of the antioxidant-rich tea before bed, but go easy on the caffeine — you’re aiming for sleep, not an energy boost.

These four activities can help give your metabolism a gentle nudge, allowing you to make the most of any late night recovery. When it’s time to hit the hay, your body will be more than ready to get the rest it needs!

Sometimes, breaking bad habits can feel like an insurmountable task. But as this article has shown, making small changes in our normal routines can have a big impact on our health and our waistlines. The next time that late night craving strikes, set yourself up with a healthier bedtime snack instead. A restful night’s sleep and a trimmer waistline just might be the reward.