Can't sleep hungry. Any suggestions?

Hi everyone!  This is my first post.  I have been using this site for two weeks and have lost 4 lbs already.  I have about 50 to lose, so I have a long way to go.  My problem is that I am terrible sleeper, and I have trouble falling asleep if I feel hungry.  My old habit (probably what  helped me gain the weight) was that I would eat something & drink a glass of milk before bed.  I would feel full and fall right to sleep.  I know eating before bed is not good for weight loss.  Any suggestions for a new nightly ritual?  Thanks!

in my opinion, it really doesn't matter when you eat.  if you like going to bed with a little something in your stomach then go for it.  just make sure you stay within your calorie allowance for the day.  have a lighter dinner so that you can have a snack before going to bed :-)

It doesn't really matter when you eat, even if it's right before bedtime. You can save some calories that you normally intake during the day to eat at night.

I have woken up at 2 am and consumed a whole tin of tuna right out of the can because I was so hungry.

A tsp of peanut butter usually helps me to go to bed not hungry.

You will find something that works for you.

Try a banana or  Kashi chewy bar right before bed. My new addiction is Hanson's diet root beer...delish! I'm also partial to Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches...only 140 calories and sinfully delicious. You'd get your snack and your milk at the same time.

I think its fine to eat before bed.  I do it and haven't gained any weight.  If you're worried maybe you could drink the milk only and skip the small snack.  Or eat something light like pudding.

A mug full of cereal usually works for me or peanut butter.

I agree that you should be fine, if you just plan for say a 200 cal snack at bedtime (100 for the milk, 100 for something light, maybe an apple?)

Drink water or herbal tea. What's the point of eating and then go to sleep? Never made sense to me, you're not going to benefit from whatever you eat just before you go to sleep, I drink peppermint or nettle tea, or any type of basically calorie free drink to fill me up. You don't NEED the food so why eat it?

But she just explained that it helps her get to sleep, which, in my opinion, is very important. Eating before bed is fine, as long as you stick to your calorie limit.

Well maybe cutting off the comfort feeling will stop the NEED to eat to get to sleep. It has obviously just become a habit that you now have been conditioned to. You might have a few bad nights sleep but after that surely your mind will get used to not eating to get to sleep.

Try taking 5-HTP a few evenings during the week.  It will help you sleep and help with food cravings.  Try a low dose of 50 mg - it can work wonders.

Original Post by kat0386:

Well maybe cutting off the comfort feeling will stop the NEED to eat to get to sleep. It has obviously just become a habit that you now have been conditioned to. You might have a few bad nights sleep but after that surely your mind will get used to not eating to get to sleep.

 Don't be self-righteous. It's a lot more comfortable for a lot of people to eat before bed. Your body does need calories during sleep, and if you are in an overall calorie deficit, of course those snack calories will be used.

What works for me is

-veggie soup, rarely above 50 calories for a whole bowl

-celery and tea

-popcorn

-crackers and tea

Water taken with all, even if there is also tea. 

Eating the right kind of food before bed can be very helpfull for weight loss purposes, it aids in keeping your metabolism up durring the night as well as helping you to sleep more soundly.  Something like 55% off all insomnia cases were helped by having a before bed snack.

Just work it in to your calories for the day and enjoy! 

If you can't sleep on an empty stomach, portion out your daily calories so that you have 200 left for a bedtime snack - then you can have your glass of milk and your cookie (or whatever small food item satisfies you within the calorie allowance) and go to bed happy. Nobody NEEDS to try to sleep with their tummy growling unless they're marooned on a desert island and they only have enough rations left for a couple of days. :P Your body will still burn calories while you are asleep - it doesn't go into suspended animation for 8 hours.

Thanks everyone!  I like the idea of saving a few calories for an evening snack, which is actually what I have been doing.  I am glad to know that it doesn't matter when the calories are consumed.  I have also found that  skim milk is just as filling and doesn't taste bad at all.  Sleeping is important to me, because I have some health issues, and I tend to be in much more pain if I am up all night.  It may not be the best habit, but I have made a lot of changes so far.  I want to make changes that I know I can stick with so that I don't give up.  Someone suggested veggie soup, which is a great idea.  It gives that warm tummy feeling that usually is good for sleep. Thanks again!

also... if you need extra help getting to bed.

Yogi Teas makes a "bedtime" tea... which tastes good, and is sooo calming and relaxing. i drink a cup of tea, along with a melatonin supplement and im fast asleep in seconds

Hey there!  I do agree with others that it doesn't really matter when you eat as long as you stay below your caloric intake.  My problem is that I just feel better the next morning if I can stay away from food after 7 pm.  A lot of times, I drink a mug of hot cocoa.  I just make sure I get Hot Chocolate that is Decaf.  A envelope of Hot chocolate is usually under 100 cals depending on what brand you like!  It helps me fall to sleep too! 

I have found almonds are a nice way to finish out the evening, sometimes an (small) assortment of mixed nuts (no, no freeze-dried products). Yes, the nuts (almonds, et al) are 'high calorie' but they (almonds) are known for their appettite reducing qualities. That said, I have a small box of raisins (like the ones one would give out for Halloween treats) with them. While 'high caloric,' almonds are very low carb. I am diabetic (and using a carb-counting/insulin therapy) and usually do the nuts and raisins 'cocktail' with my 'daily maintenance' insulin to keep my blood sugar on even keel overnight (not too high, and not too low). And as one would suspect, it helps with 'regularity' the next day. And yes, the calories for the nut and raisin 'cocktail' is figured into each days calorie count.

Hey!

I agree with pretty much everyone else here that it doesn't really matter when you eat your snack, as long as you're within your calorie limit. Try not to consume anything with too much sugar or citric acid though. I like 1/2 cup of granola or a Special K bar myself. Sometimes I really like those 100 calorie pack of oreos right before bed.

My piece of original advice however, is maybe to look into  hypnosis track? I know it sounds totally weird, but a few weeks ago I noticed I was having a really hard time falling asleep, and it was affecting everything in my day. I went on iTunes and was looking through podcasts and saw one by Dr. Michael White. He had tracks about everything, but the only one I downloaded was called "The Best Sleep Ever!". I listened to it and it did put me to sleep! The first time I heard it I fell right asleep after the first play through, but since listening to it a few times a week I've noticed that it takes two plays through the track to get to bed. The track is only  few minutes long though, so that's still awesome.

Anyway, that's my advice! Hope it helps! 

If I'm hungry before bed i usually just eat a tablespoon of peanut butter, it's thick and fills you up