10 Tips to Avoid Late Night Snacking

You did everything right today: you ate all nutritious meals, only had an apple for a mid-day snack, exercised, ate a balanced dinner, only to find that at night, you're snacking on potato chips, or something else not healthy, while watching TV?

You're not alone.

Here are 10 tips to help you stop-or limit--eating unhealthy snacks at night:

1. Eat the right kind of late night snacks

According to the American Dietetic Association, snacking at night is great, if you're snacking on the right foods. " Crackers and low fat cheese, yogurt and fruit, cereal and milk or peanut butter and apple slices are good options. Eating snacks with both carbohydrate and protein helps the body stay fueled."

2. Take all unhealthy snack foods out of your home

I've said this before, but it's really the best option. If the food is not in the house, you can't eat it. Take away the temptation before the temptation takes over you.

3. Drink your late-night snack

Having a relaxing cup of tea or sugar-free hot chocolate can help curb your appetite, and leave you relaxed and ready to get a good night's sleep. The benefits of drinking green, or other caffeine free teas are well known.

4. Don't snack, exercise-or visualize your work-out for the next day

Now, I'm not saying go for a full-fledged workout, but doing a few lunges, squats, push-ups, arm stretches, sit-ups, etc, can keep you busy, so you don't snack. Or keep a journal outlining all of the things you will do for Iowa Avenue's Tight Ass campaign...........)

5. Stretch your body

According to a recent article at MSNBC, "A regular stretching program may actually enhance performance, making people stronger and increasing their endurance." So, tonight, while you're watching your TV program, sit on the floor and stretch your legs. Your body will thank you in the morning.

6. Take up a hobby

Several Iowa Avenue members are knitters or sewers

Choosing a hobby that uses your hands and mind helps keeps you busy so you're less likely to grab a bag of caramel popcorn. Plus, when your project is finished, you'll have a finished product to share. Just think, while you're losing weight, you can make you next cute sweater. You'll be able to show off you new body in the new sweater you made. Or have late night sex, hmmm, now there's a topic for a different day!

7. Grab a book

It isn't easy to read and snack at the same time. With both hands holding a book, it's harder to snack. But it is essential that you do try and read it also.

8. Write a blog entry

If you're hands are busy typing, it much harder to eat. Plus, do you want potato chip grease on your keyboard?

9. Make a rule - set-up personal boundaries.

Although I'm not a huge fan of rules--because I think rules were made to be broken--if it helps you stick to your eating and weight-loss plan-why not?

No unhealthy food after 8:00pm.

Or better yet, don't eat anything after 8:00pm, period.

10. Clean your living room.

If you need to keep your hands busy while watching TV, you're welcome to clean your living room while watching your evening program. Most TV shows don't need your undivided attention, so why not get the job done at night? It'll keep you busy and moving during American Idol..................:)

If you have other tips other than these 10 to help curb your late night snacking, just comment, and I'll publish them for our IA community.

Feeling good about ourselves and what we do, makes us happy, because,

After all, it's about a healthy lifestyle!

Iowa Avenue