Late night eating

My son had me up last night at 2 am (bad dream) and my daughter woke me up at 3 am (potty stop). I couldn't go back to sleep, and finally got up because I was starving. I ate 2 handfuls of cereal and the last of the cheez-its - might have been a full serving, I'm not sure.

Should this late-night eating be included in today's calorie count? Or yesterday's? I kind of wish I could just pretend it didn't happen, but I guess that won't help anything....

Sun. Feb 5, 8:08am

Late night eating

I'd count it towards today's since it was after midnight. However, if you'd like to forgive and forget and start the day fresh then count it on yesterday's.

Sunday, February 05, 2006, 9:08 AM

True

Thanks for admitting this out loud. I get up to pee at night and can't get back to sleep. I eat.....I wake up early with such determination and I eat....

Sunday, February 05, 2006, 3:02 PM

I'd count it on today's if you already used up your "calorie alottment" for yesterday - that way, you'll make up for it today, instead of just calling it a "mistake" and not making any repairs. In the future (not that these things can often be predicted), if you think you're going to be eating late at night, you can make up for it during the preceeding day by eating fewer calories - so you have "leftovers" for late at night.

Snacking late at night has been proven in some studies, and disproven in others, to cause weight gain or hinder weight loss. The reason that it's so widely discussed that you shouldn't eat late at night, though, w/o much debate, is that people tend to eat what they should in the day, and then eat at night as though it "doesn't count." If you eat 1500 calories a day, it doesn't matter much, if at all, when you eat those calories. If you eat 1500 calories every day, though, b/c you plan out your meals to meet those requirements, and then you have unplanned snacks at night, it's additional calories that your body does not need, and it will cause weight gain.

If you don't want to cut out calories today to make up for last night's snacking, then do some extra exercise. Make up for the calories somewhere, and you'll be okay!

Sunday, February 05, 2006, 4:40 PM

Thanks!

Thanks for your responses. I'm going to add those calories to today, and I'll end up going way over because of the superbowl party. But it is only one day and I will do better tomorrow!

Sunday, February 05, 2006, 5:20 PM

If you do think you will snack like that again it might be a good idea to hide the "bad" snacks and reach for something healthy like an apple or some strawberries. These snacks have fewer calories, are nutritious, and help with that sugar craving:o)

Monday, February 06, 2006, 9:57 AM

Seedless Dates

I find seedless dates very helpful in curbing my sugar craving. If I wake up in the middle of the night, I most often reach out for them. They have good amount of fibre, are naturally sweet and are very good for health. I just take 3-4 and if i want more, I allow myself to have 5-6 at times.Good luck

Tuesday, February 07, 2006, 7:53 AM

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