Take Control of Late Night Snacking

By Carolyn Reynaud, MS, RD, LD —
That time of night is finally here, when you can sit and just relax after a hectic day. Then it hits you, that craving for a snack. You have done fantastic eating healthfully all day, and then it feels as if it just falls apart at night. You are not alone. Late night snacking is one of the most common challenges when trying to lose weight. These simple tips can help you take control of your night snacking habit.

Eat balanced meals throughout the day. Eating balanced meals can help you to meet all your nutritional needs for optimal functioning and promote satiety.
Don’t skip meals. Skipping meals puts your body on high alert that it may not have the fuel it needs and can drive you to over eat later. This puts you at high risk for consuming large dinner portions or overindulging in late night snacks.
Don’t keep snack foods in the house. When your resistance is low it can be hard to pass up easy accessible snacks. Keeping temptations out of your home is a simple way to break your late night habit.
Keep your hands and mind busy. Try activities like knitting, crosswords, playing computer games, or board games with the family. Keeping busy can help keep you distracted and not thinking about food.
Get your exercise. Exercise is not only good for health and weight management, but mood management as well. Exercise can be a great way to blow off steam instead of turning to snack foods.
Plan ahead. You can still enjoy a nice treat at night if you plan ahead for a low calorie snack that fits into your caloric needs for the day. These Red Velvet Cupcakes come in at only 160 calories by using stevia to keep sugar and calories low.

Carolyn Reynaud, MS, RD, LD is a licensed registered dietitian and a paid contributor to SteviaBenefits.org. She received her BS in nutrition from Michigan State University and her Masters and Certificate in Public Health from Georgia State University. She has experience working in several avenues of health care including corporate wellness, clinical disease management, research, and health promotion. She has been working as a health coach specialist for close to 6 years, where she counsels patients on preventative healthcare and helps them meet their health goals. Follow her on Twitter @ReynaudCari.

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