Late Night Eating! How can I break this habit?!

[Going4IT]

I have got a big problem with night time eating. To the point where I will "save" calories purposely throughout the day so I can relax in front of the TV after the kids are in bed and eat. Eat really unhealthy foods, too (but still within my calorie range). For example, yesterday I was really craving McDonald's french fries...So I scrimped on calories all day, was hungry all day, but only ate fresh fruit and the like just so I can run to McDonald's at 9pm and grab a grilled chicken sandwich and a LARGE fries. I still came under 1,300 calories for the day, somehow. But I felt like I cheated big time. I will do something like this 3-4 days out of the week. Yeah, it's that bad! I am somehow  still losing weight at a pretty good rate...I guess because I am pretty overweight at 230 pounds. I can't seem to cut the cravings and stop giving in to this madness at night. I am such a night owl and always had the pasttime to relax once all is done for the day...And relaxing means comfort foods and Netflix....lol....How can I break this habit once and for all?!

[SunsetRunner]

One suggestion is to develop a new habit that makes the 'bad' habit impossible or at least improbable.

For example, what if you developed this elaborate nighttime routine where you brushed your teeth with your kids. Then flossed. Then mouthwash. Maybe use a tongue scrapper. Maybe apply some teeth whitener. Etc.

If you went through all that before the kids when to bed - would you still do the McDs run?

Or maybe you have a treadmill or exercise bike at home. How about a nightime routine where you knock out 30 minutes on the treadmill?

One last point - usually cravings are brought about by some deficiency in your diet. Make sure your drinking a boat load of water and eating a well balanced diet with lean protein at each meal.

You got this.

[Daves_Not_Here]

@Going4IT - Be gentle with yourself.  Look at everything you are doing right -- you are maintaining a calorie deficit and losing weight.  And you are aware of the issue.   @SunsetRunner has made a number of great suggestions, which I would try and see if they work for you.  

Here is what I would add: willpower won't work in the long term.  I struggle with the same problem.  The first issue is the cravings - the only way I have been partially successful is to try to eliminate the cravings so I don't need willpower.  I try to "save" my calories for dinner, and then eat a satiating meal (with avocado) that will hopefully tide me through to bedtime (if you are saving your calories for after dinner, you are increasing your cravings - bad).  I also drink 64 ounces of water prior to 6:00 PM and my rule to myself is I can eat whatever I want as long as I start with another glass of water.  I can then stuff the fries through my gills.

The second issue is that eating is part of your evening relaxation ritual (mine, too), so you'll be drawn to eat even without cravings.  Your saving calories reinforces it.  Four ideas - (1) treat yourself to an earlier bedtime and see how you like it.  Increased sleep accelerates weight loss., (2) without intending to go to sleep, relax in bed reading, watching TV, or internet surfing.  It is inconvenient to the fridge.  BTW, if you put on an audio book and turn off the visual stimulation, you may find you fall asleep quickly., (3) watch TV as before, but sip on a cup of bouillon which is sort of satisfying like salty fries (OK maybe not as good)., (4) if you want to try willpower and need a little motivation, then eat your saved calories at dinner so that late-night snacking is out of your budget.  Hope this helps!

[Bill_k]

I am the same way only i eat even later but i don't eat mcdonalds. I have one meal around 1pm and then at 1am again.

I don't eat mcdonalds but make something of my own,usually a bunch of steamed vegetables and some old cheddar cheese or vegetables and some boneless chicken thighs.

I used to eat mcdonalds food but after i quit for a week or so as an experiment and tried to go back the taste was repulsive to me. I think it's the oil they use.

[SunsetRunner]

Hello my Dear, I am sorry to hear you struggle. Even I am not one of those believers of "You need to eat breakfast like a king" etc etc.; I need to tell you as a biochemist in cardiometabolic diseases research, Starving your body during the day may subsequently decrease your basal metabolic rate especially if you are "inactive" throughout the day. To finish your day then with McDonald's will flood your body with calories that your now low metabolic rate may not be able to handle anymore and just keeps building more body fat (makes you feel warm, good and sleepy). I suggest 2 solutions. Number one if you like "Junk food", I would preload into the day or in front of a workout. But even you do that you still need to keep your calories in check for the ENTIRE day. Personally, I like solution number 2 - Atkins style diets, since I really do not count calories or even times when I should eat. That being said, if you decide to go for this kind of diet you need to see how much sugar your body can tolerate meaning how brutal you have to start your diet. I usually recommend go hard at the beginning just meat/seafood with good oils and low carb veggies. Later you can try fruits etc. Both solutions have their ups and downsides. Good luck