Healthy Diet for May 6 – Got the Late-Night Munchies?

Do you take a snack break with each commercial break in the nightly news? Do you need a sweet before bedtime?

If you eat dinner early, maybe you really are hungry. A small snack to curb hunger is okay. Contrary to urban myths, late-evening calories are no more likely to promote weight gain and won’t wake you up if you’re sleepy. The real problems with late-night eating are lack of self-control and being out of touch with hunger cues. You may nibble out of habit, not hunger—especially when you stay up too late. That may lead to impulsive overeating—maybe high-fat or sugary snacks.

Strategize to avoid the late-night lure of food.

• Pay attention. Do hunger cues—or habit, boredom, or anxiety— trigger snacking? Take control.
• Eat dinner somewhat later, perhaps at 7 P.M. rather than 6 p.m. or save dessert for later.

• Go to bed earlier. Eight hours of sleep gives you a mental edge to help control emotional eating any time of day.