How do YOU curb the evening munchies?

I am an evening eater, after I have my dinner, I always feel like I want more.  It's probably the single most destructive reason for my weight problem.

But I think I've got a handle on it.  Right after I take my dishes into the kitchen, I fix a cup of hot decaf tea.  It seems to redirect my brain long enough for the urge to go away.

So, how do you solve your evening munchie problem?  I'm curious to hear about others' ideas from their own personal experience.

When its nice out, I make my husband go for a walk after dinner.

I've found that the munchies don't hit nearly as hard when we're not watching tv. They definitely don't hit if I'm reading Shape or Self magazine.

But quite often they do and we both go for the microwave popcorn...

First, I make a point of drinking enough water or decaf iced tea during dinner.

However, sometimes that might still not completely do it, so I've started chewing sugar free gum.  And hot tea definitely helps too.

I always fill my stomach with water, or more often something flavored like crystal light. It keeps you full so you don't want to eat!

Every night I have a snack of 60% or higher dark chocolate - you can find them individually wrapped at the store - and I look forward to eating 2 pieces (which is 1/2 a serving) of them in the evening while I watch TV - the nice thing about this snack is that it doesn't make me feel like I'm depriving myself and the dark chocolate is low-glycemic - meaning that it won't cause my blood sugar to spike, which would cause me to feel hungry and have the munchies.  Also - maybe you should incorporate low-glycemic dinners into your diet - if you're eating carbs at dinner that would cause your blood sugar to rise you would definitely get the munchies - I try to only have one thing that's high glycemic - and I make sure it's whole grain - you could even try no carbs at dinner - meat and vegetables wouldn't cause your blood sugar to rise - it's worth a try! 

I do eat well in the evening. Last night it was a simmered chicken breast with onions, a thick slice of tomato, a 1/2 c lima beans and a pc of whole wheat bread w/half tsp of light spread. It was good. And I always have water at hand. But when I'm finished, there's a little thing that tugs at me to continue and I decided to settle the matter over a cup of hot tea. I'm not too much into chocolate in the evening - which is a good thing!! I like to either get more dinner, or find something sweet like cookies, and that is why I decided to have a cup of tea while my brain catches up with my stomach.  

I, too, get tempted to go back for more after dinner. I have found if I put the leftovers in the fridge right away, I am less likely to get seconds or thirds, etc. because I won't take the time to reheat.

I allow myself a healthy snack after dinnertime (like yogurt or something) then if I am wanting something awhile after I drink water, tea or just go brush my teeth

I keep a jar of peanut butter around. A Tablespoon of that will temporarily curb your cravings. JIF now makes lowfat peanut butter.

water or tea (love peppermint tea!)

Hey thinkn_thin...I have the same problem! Believe it or not, I think the problem started when I was on another diet (6 week body makeover). You were supposed to have your final "meal" of berries (after dinner). After being on this plan for a while-my body got used to having something sweet after dinner. 3 years later I still haven't been able to break the habit. Sometimes I eat something good (sugar free pudding or fruit) and sometimes I eat something BAD (like brownies or chocolate cake). The only thing that is really effective for me is brushing my teeth (and I'm not always disciplined enough to go do that). :-0)

I also love to drink tea...but in my mind it is supposed to go with something to eat. LOL So that's not an effective solution for me.

Anyway, great thread!!! It's nice to know that I'm not the only one who struggles with this! My dad does too....even worse than me. I wonder if it's genetic (I'd LOVE to be able to blame it on him!)? :-)

I hear you jesusgirl1. I have spent the last 5 weeks trying to steer myself away from that habit. The tea has been working well to put the brakes on my appetite. I tried that 6 week body makeover a couple years ago and could not get past the food I was expected to prepare. I sent it back!   

As far as genetics is concerned, I'm a carbon copy of my mom.  She has always been either thin from dieting, or overweight, I guess we ride the same roller coaster!  We have "frequent flyer" miles and lifetime member seating dedicated to us for riding it.

Go for a walk, drink water, and/or go to sleep.

I set aside calories for snacks after dinner. I will have dinner around 6, a yogurt or something at 730, and then if still hungry, i will have a rice cake with a tablespoon of peanut butter... I aim for roughly 1500 calories a day. So if I eat around 400 or so for each major meal then that will still leave me with a few hundred to play with for snacks... So far its kept me going good...

Original Post by thinkn_thin:

I am an evening eater, after I have my dinner, I always feel like I want more. It's probably the single most destructive reason for my weight problem.

But I think I've got a handle on it. Right after I take my dishes into the kitchen, I fix a cup of hot decaf tea. It seems to redirect my brain long enough for the urge to go away.

So, how do you solve your evening munchie problem? I'm curious to hear about others' ideas from their own personal experience.

i was going to say a good old cup of healthy jasmine pearl or mint (mahgreb) tea, and i sip it and have another cup until my the feeling goes away.

i have to say a hot cup of tea, is like the miracle....i've heard so many people who turn to a hot cup of tea to take away the idea of more food. :)

i hit my 1500 calorie limit today early, and am going to bed shortly.  i wanted so badly to dive into more food -- anything really, but i had two cups of jasmine pearl green tea, and i'm satiated and feel so proud of myself.

(mostly proud because at TGIF's i had the dragonfire chicken, with broccoli and didn't eat the brown rice, and i think i saved myself about 100 calories!)

Original Post by amaresmom:

I have about 6 almonds and a glass of water, that seems to do the trick.

aren't almonds like the most amazing appetite suppressant ever?  i love them!  i grab a handful at least once throughout the day, they keep me happy and they keep the calories coming (i've been a chronic starver for a long time...).