1. Stick to a Schedule
When you are trying to stop eating before bedtime, planning ahead will make your task easier. You have to decide how far in advance of bedtime you want to stop eating. Once you decide how long before bed to stop eating, plan your meals and snacks out ahead of time. Stick to the schedule that you make. This will train your body to learn when to expect food. After a short period of time, usually a week or two, you will find that you are no longer hungry as bedtime nears. If you still find yourself hungry after this transition period, consider adding a small snack into your dieting schedule a little closer to bedtime.
2. Drink Away Your Cravings
Sometimes, especially when you are beginning a new diet, you will mistake thirst for hunger. If you are trying to stop eating before bedtime, when you feel those hunger pains coming on, try drinking a big glass of ice water. Often, you will find that you aren't hungry anymore once you drink the whole glass. Drinking water will also help your body to flush out unwanted toxins, which in turn will help you to better digest the foods you eat all day long. If water doesn't do the job, consider drinking milk or juice.
3. Distract Desires
If you are prone to emotional eating or stress-related eating, you may want to eat close to bedtime as a coping method instead of because of actual hunger. When you feel the desire to eat, distract yourself by doing something else. Doing a crossword puzzle, giving yourself a pedicure, taking a bath or reading a good book are some good distractions. Make sure that you pick an activity that isn't strenuous because a strenuous activity may cause your metabolism to increase, causing hunger.
4. Check Your Diet
Hunger before bedtime is sometimes caused by a lack of nutrients. Write out everything that you eat in a diet journal for at least a week. Make sure that your diet includes foods from all of the necessary food groups including protein and vegetables. Your evening meal should be a meal that includes raw or lightly cooked vegetables and a serving of protein. Vegetables and protein will help to keep you full longer. Carbohydrates will also help to keep you full. If you choose carbohydrates, choose whole grains instead of refined foods.
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