Bed Time Snacking: Causes Weight Gain

By Sneha Jain

Thursday, March 8, 2012, 12:11

Night snacks can cause weight gain. Food that is consumed at night can cause you to add on excess calories. Some people adopt these unhealthy snacking habit late at night. For emotional eaters late night snacks are consumed because of feeling lonely and stressed. Bed time snacks increases your calorie intake.

1. Late Night Hunger Pangs- Snacks at night can cause you to gain weight. This is because you tend to fall asleep after snacking and do not engage in any physical activity. Snacks at night turns into fat and is not converted into energy which causes you to gain weight. To avoid this have a heavy breakfast and a healthy filling lunch so that you consume less at night.

2. Healthy Eating- Food consumed in the morning must be heavy and sumptuous as that will reduce your hunger pangs. Where as lunch must consist of more green vegetables, curds and wheat rotis. Avoid rice, fried food and excess spice. Have more water throughout the day that will fill your stomach and reduce your craving.

3. Blood Sugar Level-Blood sugar level drops by not eating for a long time. Which in turn causes overeating at night. So a balance intake of food throughout the day keeps your metabolism and energy levels high. By skipping breakfast or lunch can cause you to overeat at night and you tend to binge. That is not a healthy eating habit as it causes more weight gain. Unhealthy snacking especially craving for sweets or junk must be totally avoided as it turns into fat and is difficult to burn.

4. Planing A Late Evening Snack- If snacks at night is a daily routine then plan your bed time snack. This will help you keep a record of your snacking and will also keep the size of snacks in control. Opt for food items that are easy to digest and are not heavy on your stomach. Food like fruits, milk, microwave popcorn and hard candy. This will satisfy your sweet and spice craving and will not let you binge. Remember that complete avoiding of snacks will make you crave more so eat but in right proportion. Your body needs calories too.

5. Count your calories- Food at night can be consumed but try to count your calories as you may not overeat. Consume snacks like yogurt, whole grain sandwich or peanut butter as these items are easy to digest and are filling. Indulge or divert your mind at night by other activities like taking a stroll or having a bath. This will distract your mind from late night food. Do not skip meals as this will cause more cravings and lead to binge eating.

Food timing is very important to keep you in shape as late night food causes you to accumulate excess calories and can get difficult to burn. Healthy eating at night and 8 glass of water a day will fill your stomach and keep you fit.