We all have different eating schedules, and some of us night owls like to eat late. While some believe this will make us gain weight, as long as we stay within a normal caloric intake for the day, late meals aren't so bad. But avoiding food after dark can aid in weight loss. What else can help you lose? Just like having a sleep schedule will help you sleep better, an eating schedule will help you eat better. For this, the convenience of having pre-portioned, delicious meals delivered to your door is a proven method for success. Nutrisystem uses this controlled dining experience to help you gain control and limit your opportunities to eat extra empty calories.
Here are some other great tips for late-night eating that will get you back on track to a healthy lifestyle:
1. Pick the better snack.
We all get a little hungry, even at night, and we don't have to starve ourselves. It's still okay to eat up to 60 minutes before bed. But instead of choosing high-calorie, low-nutrition snacks that mess with your sleep and digestion, Nutrisystem provides delicious and protein-packed snacks like the Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownie and the Apple Pecan Bars.
2. Make yourself a warm drink.
We all have heard that drinking water can be helpful with weight loss, but slugging back gallons before bed can cause late-night urination urges that can interrupt sleep. (And for nighttime weight loss, there's nothing more important than a good night's sleep.)
But you may still confuse hunger for thirst. Give your beverage some weight loss-boosting powers and have something that will help you sleep: try one chamomile tea bag and a bag of decaffeinated green tea to create a mixed tea.
And during the day to stay full, TurboShakes are packed with protein and nutrients that support healthy digestion and weight loss. Take care of yourself during the day to have a more restful sleep at night.
3. Set yourself up for success tomorrow.
Prep your food for tomorrow while you're still up tonight. If you're on a Nutrisystem program, they've taken most of the work out of meal prep. Just be sure to chop up some fresh veggies and fruit or grab a small handful of nuts or seeds for healthy snacks during the afternoon lull and for a post-work snack. If you're planning on cashing in on one of your Nutrisystem flex days tomorrow, you know that what you eat is up to you. But that's not a free pass to go crazy on cronuts!
Make sure to pack a healthy lunch that's plan-friendly and filling so you won't be rushed into under-packing in the morning.
If a lunch out is on the books, go online and look at the menu now to be prepared to order a meal that will satisfy your hunger and your plan.
4. Make your room into a sleep haven.
Eating well is not the only thing that will help you lose weight: A good night's sleep is essential. First, make sure your room is dark. Research shows that exposure to even dim light at night can mess up your internal clock, throwing off your eating schedule and potentially leading to weight gain.
Also, don't use your phone. The light emitted (and stress from checking your email) will make you feel more depleted the next day.
5. Meditate before bed.
Instead of scrolling through Facebook to wind down, try a mindfulness meditation or deep breathing exercise to help you sleep. Studies have found that such meditations have reduced the total awake time and increased the total sleep time for insomnia patients.
Eating well, in combination with healthy nocturnal behaviors will make you better prepared to lose weight. Nutrisystem is designed to help you stay on a schedule and be comforted by a proven routine. Nutrisystem ships you pre-portioned meals that take the guesswork out of deciding what to eat and when. But with a variety of delicious meals that satisfy every craving, Nutrisystem is making healthy eating fun. You can still eat your late-night meals, but keeping these tips in mind will help you be more successful.