Struggling with nighttime snacking? Try this instead.

This week I received a question from a reader named Rick:

If this sounds familiar, you’re definitely not alone.

When people join Nerd Fitness Coaching, it’s over 70% tell us they struggle with stress eating, emotional eating or late night snacking.

I recorded a short video explaining why simply « trying to stop eating » usually backfires – and which usually works better.

​WATCH: STRUGGLE WITH NIGHT EATING? TRY THIS INSTEAD​

If you’d rather read than watch, here’s the short version:

1. Eating at night is not a problem.

If you really need more calories or nutrients for the day, eating at night is perfectly fine! (Contrary to popular belief.)

The challenge most people face is when they find themselves they eat even when they are not hungryoften as a way to decompress after a long day.

2. Going cold turkey rarely works.

If nighttime snacking has become your primary way to relax or reward yourself at the end of the day, simply eliminating it often leaves a void that is difficult to maintain.

3. Create a « decompression menu ».

Instead of trying to kick the habit immediately, think of a few other things that you really enjoy that help you relax at the end of the day.

Examples may include:

• making herbal tea
• reading
• stretching
• listening to music
• play a game
• keeping a diary

Even if you choose one of these alternatives part of the timethat alone can begin to change the habit.

The goal is not to stop snacking at night forever!

This is to understand the habit and expand your selection. 💪

4. Upgrade your Batcave to make alternate choices easier.

At the end of the day, we are usually tired and then we tend to default to the easiest and most familiar option.

A few small changes to your environment can make a big difference.

Things like keeping your favorite snacks out of reach or putting your book in a visible and easily accessible place.

Heck, you could even try putting your book IN the closet where the snacks usually are!

The goal is to count less than willpower and more for an environment that gently nudges you in the direction you want to go.

—

So, Rick, if you’re reading this, that’s where I’d start.

Instead of trying to eliminate nighttime eating overnight, experiment with adding a few other ways to decompress and adjust your environment so that those choices are easier.

Try it for a week or two and see what you notice.

Then we learn and adjust from there. 🔥

– Matt
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PS If you want ask a question Like Rick, you can!