[prettymccute]

I would be interested in hearing from night time eaters. I have seen the issue addressed before, but would benefit from seeing it discussed further, or knowing if there is someone having the same issue as myself.

I do not eat during the day. All my calories are saved for when I go to bed, as a reward. I eat and read. I only eat sweets and some sort of carb. I know it's terrible for my health. I've been told to just stop, but I don't think I can.

I ate so much last night, that I am miserably sick today. I've run though most eating disorders in my younger days (anorexia, bulemia, overeating) I've gained and lost weight, from 300 lbs to 134, I believe. I'm at a weight that I'm content with. I'm older, 63, but I'm really struggling and desperately want help.

[indigo1015]

I have Nighttime Eating Syndrome, and I can definitely relate. I've tried a number of different tactics, and fortunately my NES is improving a bit. But it's definitely been a struggle for the past six years.

[prettymccute]

Can you tell me what's worked for you, or steer me in a direction that has helped? I'm feeling very overwhelmed by it right now.

[indigo1015]

For me a big part of it has been setting up a regular sleep schedule-- or at least, more regular then it had been before. It's still a work in process lol. Also I've been exercising 3-4 times a week-- mostly to get out tension and stress. I think those two actions are contributing to better sleep at night for me, resulting in fewer trips to the kitchen at night.

[prettymccute]

I think I need to change my night time routine. I go to bed early, about 8:30, and half the kitchen goes with me. I munch and read. I play games on my kindle frie and phone. It's the reading that's causing the problem. I'd even get up and scrounge in the kitchen if I didn't take anything with me. It's become a horrible habit. I've done it for years, and can't even think of stopping it. I don't even have a clue how to begin the process of change..

[unaluna]

Miss Piggy's book, "How to keep from having crumbs in your bed" helped me. Seriously, how do you keep from having crumbs in your bed? Thats my biggest deterrent.

My next biggest deterrent from night eating has been heartburn. Once you start getting that, your problem will cure itself, eventually. Nighttime heartburn that keeps you awake all night?

I think your best chance of change would be to make 2 new habits: 1, a nice tea during the day where you consume most of your days calories, and 2, a luxurious bath before bed.

I go through phases. I guess my favorite is eating supper early in the evening and spending the rest of the evening preparing for sleep. I get very tired when I do this and am in bed and asleep before 9pm. This did lead to sleep apnea issues, but may have been caused by other life events at the time.

If I am able to make a snack and wait for a later dinner, I am then more energized and get hungry again after dinner. I guess I am also dreading going to sleep because I've been having bad dreams and issues with being woken up. I think I might actually be afraid to go to sleep. But also afraid to not get enough sleep. My sleeping mind is and has been very conflicted. Recently, I have added a light protein shake into my nighttime routine. This keeps me from going for my daytime snacks. But even when I am not snacking, I am laying in my bed uncomfortable and feeling anxious..

I would never give up eating daytime. I love food too much. I live in the kitchen. Much else from life means very little to me right now.

[Nammu]

I guess you can put me in a night time eating category. I can’t eat when I wake up just no. I have a glass of chai and take my morning meds that includes one for the stomach. Then I eat something midday, and my biggest meal is between 5:30 and 6:30. But my night meds are to be taken with food so I always take cheese cubes to bed with me. Lots of times I skip the mid morning lunch and just wait til later to eat. But because I don’t move much the food sticks to me and I have metabolism syndrome from my AP my doctor wants me to switch to having breakfast, 🤦*♀️ ugh I just can’t face food in the am

[helloiamjim]

I graze at night because I'm bored and don't have many friends.

I have low-level depression and no activity seems interesting to me. I try to do little things like read a chapter from a book or watch a favorite TV show or call the friends I do have. I go to a lot of OA meetings. That keeps me from eating for an hour. I go to several OA meetings for nighttime eaters. Go to OA.org and look at the schedule. They're on Tuesday and Thursday night.

Most of my overeating occurs from 6 p.m. to 12 p.m.. I don't have the urge while I'm working because I'm busy and preoccupied.

[abigrand]

I can go all day without really feeling hungry, but I have a terrible time falling asleep at night, so after my husband goes to bed I will literally eat myself sick. I'm morbidly obese, have heart disease, and chronic pain(fibromyalgia). I managed to lose a significant amount of weight in 2019, but gained it all back in 2020. I'm 71 and afraid my weight will be the death of me.
anyone have any tips or special tricks they use for nighttime bingeing?

[meetlaw]

I can relate. I sometimes consume quite a few calories before sleep in bed.

Maybe you could make it a point to schedule meals during the day. Hopefully, this will curb your appetite. Reward yourself for doing this. Get a habit app. I recommend Habit Hub.

Once you have made that a habit then don't lie in bed for any reason but sleep. When you get the urge to eat delay it by doing something you enjoy for ten minutes. If this feels uncomfortable for you embrace the discomfort. If you can embrace the discomfort than you can make a habit of this.