Simple tips to banish unhealthy evening snacking

How to stop evening snacking

• For dinner, make sure that most of your plate is filled with vegetables and wholegrains, along with some lean protein. This will help you to feel fuller, for longer.  
• Avoid the lollies and snack aisle at the supermarket! If you don’t buy unhealthy snacks, you can’t eat them. Choose some healthy snacks to have on hand instead such as fruit, nuts, berries or plain, low-fat yoghurt (keep the serving sizes small).  
• Make sure you're getting enough sleep. When you’re tired, you are more likely to snack on the wrong foods. Your brain starts to tell you your body needs starchy and energy dense foods. Good quality sleep has huge benefits in every aspect of your life.
• Have a glass of water or a cup of tea. Sometimes our brain tricks us into thinking we are hungry, but we just need hydrating.
• Brush your teeth straight after dinner or chew sugar-free gum – both will leave you with a fresh, minty mouth and are good for your teeth too!
• Don’t skip meals – make sure you are having regular, healthy meals throughout the day and the urge to snack in the evening will disappear.
• When you get hungry, you are more likely to make poor food choices and reach for high fat, high sugar, and processed food. Regular structured eating and sleeping times can help you spread your food intake over the day so that you’re less hungry at night.
• Protein is known to keep you fuller for longer, so including some at every meal can help reduce cravings and night-time eating. It could also help you feel more satisfied throughout the day, stop you from being preoccupied with food and help prevent snacking at night.
• Mix things up a bit and change your viewing spot. We are creatures of habit and when you sit (or lie down!) in your usual position to watch TV, your brain will tell you it needs a snack!

Source: livelighter.com.au

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