Craving Snacks After Dinner: What To Do

If you are truly hungry, any food choice will help to fill you up. If you are just craving a snack or “sweet treat” for emotional reasons or due to boredom, the idea of having produce may not be as appealing as the cookie you have been eyeing.

If hunger is the cause of your need to snack at night, look at your current dinner choices and see how you can improve them to make your meal more filling.
• Can you add an extra serving of vegetables to boost fiber without adding many calories?
• Can you increase your serving of lean protein to improve your feeling of fullness or drink an extra glass of water with your meal?

Changes like this will not elevate blood sugar levels, but will help to leave you more satisfied so you can pass on that nighttime snack. If you have boosted your intake at dinner and find you are still hungry at night, it’s fine to have a healthy snack.

Choices that contain a balance of lean protein and healthy fat along with a complex carbohydrate are your best bet. Some options include:
• Almond butter on apple slices
• One ounce of low fat cheese with a handful of nuts
• 3 cups of air popped popcorn
• Carrot sticks and hummus
• Half cup low fat cottage cheese with fresh berries.

Whenever you snack in the evening, make sure to practice mindful eating habits to help fight against boredom eating which can lead to excess calorie intake and elevate blood sugar levels.

To do this, when you snack, make sure to focus on the food you are eating and remove all distractions. Turn off the TV and the computer and sit down to eat your food on a plate. Make sure you focus on what you are eating and involve all of your senses.
What does the food taste like? Smell like? What is the texture of the food? The more you ‘experience’ the food instead of quickly gobbling it up, the more satisfied you will feel and the less likely you will be tempted to go back for more.