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THERESA: Yvonne Weston turned me on to Bally's free e-mail "Fitness Tip of the Day," available to anyone who registers to receive this service. Here's a recent tip about eating at night:
"Eating at night gets lots of blame for weight gain. In reality, the problem often has less to do with timing than food choices. When we’re tired, we’re more likely to reach for snacks that are quick, easy and tasty. And in many kitchens, that means junk food. To beat the late-night junk-food habit - and the unwanted calories it can bring - try these strategies:
Other advice on this topic, Girlfriends?
JILL:
I do something that is not without its consequences -- a ridiculous dental bill -- but keeps me from gorging at night. I chew gum. A stick of sweet gum after dinner (after a mandatory piece of chocolate) keeps me happily chewing and not absorbing any calories.
JENICE: I don't keep junk food of any type. So, although I might crave chocolate or ice cream late at night, there isn't anything in my refrigerator but fish, veggies, soy milk and stuff like that.
YVONNE W: Jenice has a good idea, because I constantly eat at night. However, I stopped buying junk food. At night even though I always crave sweets I don't have any sweets available to me. Bob Greene (Oprah's trainer) says that at night when you get hunger pains try to resist eating because that's when the fat burning process kicks in unless you chose (and it is a choice) to eat. He suggests not eating past 7 p.m. depending on your schedule.
LAURIE: A chunk of really good dark chocolate (just plain - not that many calories) satisfies my cravings usually. And I have mentioned before how brushing your teeth is a good way to stop yourself from eating more at night -- especially if you floss, too. Who wants to have to do that again! But nice to know it isn't simply eating at night, but what you eat that's the issue.
THERESA: That's good advice. Last time I went to Costco I bought a sack of fresh lemons and a case of seltzer water. I spritz lots of lemon juice into the sparkling water and instead of snacking, I drink one glass after another while I watch TV at night.
Also, my new-found passion for knitting has greatly reduced my evening-time hunger pangs. I get so focused on my knitting projects that I don't take breaks to get myself anything to eat!
JENICE: And then there's the old just-hop-in-the-bed trick. I think I heard this one on Girlfriends. When the hunger pangs start up, go to to sleep!
THERESA: One more thing: Check out Bally's exercise calculator. It tells you how many minute you have to exercise to burn off various high-fat foods. That's a good appetite killer!
The no-eating-after-7:00PM rule is almost a commandment to me. It was something I'd started fourteen years ago after I quit smoking and my weight ballooned. That was one of the methods I kept to maintain the weight loss. It also seems to me that late night munchies more resemble a craving rather than actual hunger.
When I absolutely can't resist I usually have a half a banana with a smear of peanut butter. It satisfies the sweet/fat/salt craving all at once.
Posted by: Gloria on March 29, 2004 02:25 PMI make sure I eat dinner no earlier than 6 o'clock. It's usually salmon or grilled chicken with alot of veggies, so it's not heavy. A stint on the treadmill for half an hour and in bed by 9 o'clock(I get up early). No time for late night munchies.
Posted by: R.C. on March 29, 2004 05:13 PMI always want H2O late at night for some reason. Of course I pay the price during the middle of the night, but I still drink water late at night.
Posted by: Liz on March 29, 2004 09:35 PMTry brushing your teeth. You won't snack because your teeth are clean and no one can eat with that peppermint/Listerine taste in their mouth.
Posted by: Theresa Mary on March 31, 2004 09:59 AM