6 On Your Side: Consumer Confidence, Stop Eating at Night

(ABC 6 NEWS) – Are you a night-time snacker? Maybe a cookie, some pretzels, ice cream, a piece of fruit? Well, you’re not alone–Well over half of us confess to nibbling at night. In our 6 On Your Side: Consumer Confidence report all of those snacks before bed can impact your health.

Rosemary Silva lost nearly 75 pounds and said she feels better than she has in 20 years. She kept full by eating healthy meals during the day and replaced nighttime snacks with water.

“It was hard for me to stop snacking, um mentally I had to teach myself, that no, you know once you’re done with dinner and then you’re done. You’re out of the kitchen, you clean the kitchen and get out of the kitchen there’s no need for you to be in there," Rosemary Silva said.

Studies suggest that nighttime eating can lead to higher cholesterol and blood glucose levels, and weight gain.

If you find yourself standing in front of the fridge light rather than a nightlight, Consumer Reports has some simple tips to ease out of evening eating.

“Our bodies do certain things better at different times of the day. Like in the morning, it does a better job controlling blood sugar after a meal than it would later in the day," Consumer Reports Nutritionist, Amy Keating said.

A recent study indicates that people who eat an early morning breakfast had better blood sugar control, which could reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. And getting the majority of your calories during the day should help you stave off nighttime snacking.

Shine a light on your nighttime nibbling by keeping a food journal. Keeping a log of what you eat can be an effective tool to help you lose weight and alter your behaviors.

“A lack of sleep has been linked to overeating. Going to bed an hour earlier means you’ll have more time to sleep, and less time to snack," Keating said.

A higher-protein diet has been linked to reduced hunger. Keep full with small servings of chicken, fish, or legumes with colorful veggies for meals, and protein-filled snacks like yogurt, or nuts.

Lastly, keep your hands busy. Playing cards, folding laundry while you watch TV, or doing a puzzle at night can help keep you from snacking.

One more CR tip – if you have the urge to snack, do it mindfully – by sitting at your table, using a fork or spoon. You’ll be less likely to overeat than if you just grabbed something straight out of a bag.