Hungry at bedtime - what can I have in... - Weight Loss Support

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Hungry at bedtime - what can I have instead of cereal?

Joopoo profile image
27 Replies

I often need to have a bowl of cereal at bed time in order to sleep. (So many times have laid awake trying to sleep - normal time 11pm or later, wondering why I can't drop off, nothing bothering me, then eventually after a couple of hrs realised i may be hungry, got up, had cereal and dropped off to sleep within half hour! - I'm sure its something to do with the carbohydrate).

So I now try to make sure I'm not hungry and have cereal before bed. However that's not good for a low carb diet. What can I have instead?

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Joopoo profile image
Joopoo
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27 Replies
Activity2004 profile image
Activity2004Visitor

Eat a 30g meal bar. They can hold a person overnight.

Joopoo profile image
Joopoo in reply to Activity2004

Thanks but what's a meal bar...?

Activity2004 profile image
Activity2004Visitor in reply to Joopoo

A meal replacement type of food for bed time snacks.

Adheela profile image
AdheelaRestart April 2023

I am exactly the same. This is driving me mad. I think the reason is that wer not eating enough during the day perhaps and that's y at night we go for cereal - quick and easy. Hopefully wel get some more replies as I don't think fruit would do the trick for me right now x

Joopoo profile image
Joopoo in reply to Adheela

Good old cereal - just had 2x weetabix, waiting for it to 'work'!

Yeah maybe ur not getting enough to eat during day, however my 1700-1800 calories should be plenty. Dinner was around 7pm (chicken in homemade tomato sauce with veggies & a bit of spelt pasta).

(Did nibble a few marshmallows too!)

Yeah fruit no good for me either, nor a milky drink, when hungry at bedtime.

Ros1 profile image
Ros1

How about trying 30g of pumpkin seeds, I like them best toasted, weigh them out into a small dish and eat slowly.

Joopoo profile image
Joopoo in reply to Ros1

Ok that's worth a try. Thanks for the suggestion

Memelly profile image
Memelly

6 almonds and a glass of milk works too!

Joopoo profile image
Joopoo in reply to Memelly

Worth a try but I suspect it may not be enough when stomach is rumbling away..

Fran182716 profile image
Fran182716

Not sure how low carb you are aiming for - I've reduced carbs but not as low as a strict low carb diet. I tend to have very low carb for either breakfast or lunch, but make sure I have a portion of carbs with my evening meal or an evening snack, or I wouldn't be able to sleep, juggling the carbs you do have around might help? Porridge has a lower GI than most other cereals. If youre doing a strict low carb diet this won't help though, you could try posting on the health unlocked LCHF forum to see if the experienced low carbers can give you any tips to get round this ☀️

Joopoo profile image
Joopoo in reply to Fran182716

Trying to reduce carbs, not strict diet. Thanks for the info & advice - very helpful. Will try the lchf forum.

saltseakate profile image
saltseakate

Hi. Know your predicament. Why not try a bowl of yoghurt with fruit. It is nice on the stomach and filling as well. Or a glass of milk and a banana. If you can't take lactose, there are plenty of lactose free alternatives. Oatmeal milk. All of these are under 200 calories and therefore "allowed." I've found the yoghurt snack the best, though.

Good luck

Joopoo profile image
Joopoo in reply to saltseakate

Thank you. Will try yoghurt

TheHud profile image
TheHud

Sugar free jellies do the trick!

Joopoo profile image
Joopoo in reply to TheHud

Yes I like those. Will try

Hows about some soup or some lean meat and pickle(gherkin) on crispbread?

Joopoo profile image
Joopoo in reply to

Thank you. Will try the soup idea

Venusflytrap profile image
Venusflytrap

I'm with Saltseakale on this one. Low fat dairy is often very filling. But what is wrong with having cereal? If you can fit it into your planned intake? Or how about a milky drink? Or go to bed a little earlier, and give yourself a bed time routine that doesn't include food. I always found a hot bath just before bed is very relaxing and go to sleep very fast afterwards.

Joopoo profile image
Joopoo in reply to Venusflytrap

I am trying to reduce carb intake, in order to lose a few stubborn pounds. Cereal at bedtime is a bit of a habit I've got into, so need to substitute for something non-carb now. Lots of ideas coming in which I will try as well as a milky drink.

Venusflytrap profile image
Venusflytrap in reply to Joopoo

I am all for mixing it up. I think it was Einstein who said stupid is repeating the same action and expecting a different outcome! So it will be really interesting to see how fast your carb change works. How about a bowl of veg soup? I often find that really filling too. Admittedly that is earlier in the day!

Joopoo profile image
Joopoo in reply to Venusflytrap

Veg soup is lovely esp carrot & coriander..

Venusflytrap profile image
Venusflytrap in reply to Joopoo

I agree, but not sure what would make a good bedtime soup!

Son1 profile image
Son1Maintainer

Maybe it's because you have dinner quite late and your blood sugar levels are still a bit high?

I don't frequently eat anything after dinner - was a hard habit to break, but after a couple of weeks it became routine. I do make sure I have a decent sized dinner though.

If I eat anything sweet in the evening, it will keep me awake....

Good luck!

IndigoBlue61 profile image
IndigoBlue61 in reply to Son1

I always used to eat a light 'supper' a bit of a treat for sticking to plan all day, but these days I trying to make effort not to eat after evening meal, surprisingly, it has soon become a habit 😊 and I actually sleep better - but that could be all the extra exercise !!! 😊

Redx1995 profile image
Redx1995

I've tried something like Horlics at bedtime before now. It's nice and warm, so soothing and relaxing. I also think that as you drink a hot drink a bit slower than eating, it does tend to satisfy me a bit more.

Joopoo profile image
Joopoo in reply to Redx1995

Thank you

brads27 profile image
brads271 stoneRestart Nov 2023

I struggled with cereal or toast late at night. I go between midnight and 2am. Do I started having Options hot chocolate only 40 calories.

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