10 ways to stop night-time snacking

Why is your fridge suddenly so irresistible in the evening? Find out how to beat this dieting downfall

Swerve your evening eating urge with these handy tips

It’s strange. By day, you’re eating healthy low-cal meals and snacks, but when darkness falls, your willpower disappears. So what is it about those few hours before bed that can make us so prone to overeating? ‘In the evening, we have more time and more easy access to food,’ explains nutritionist Juliette Kellow. ‘We are also likely to be watching TV, with constant food programmes and adverts priming us to reach for high-fat, high-sugar snacks.’

The problem, too, is that calories consumed at night are more likely to lead to weight gain. ‘Studies confirm that getting more of our calories as the day progresses is linked to obesity,’ says Juliette. In one study, healthy adults followed different eating schedules for eight weeks. The first group ate three meals and two snacks between 8am and 7pm, while the second group ate the same amount of food between 12pm and 11pm. Eating later not only led to greater weight gain, but also had a negative impact on both their insulin and cholesterol levels.

‘Scientists have found that our bodies cope better when we eat more at the start of the day and less as the day wears on,’ explains Juliette. ‘Overeating in the evening can also cause indigestion, which affects our sleep – and studies show a lack of sleep is a risk factor for weight gain and obesity.’

At this time of year, we can all reach for comfort food, but shorter days don’t have to lead to bigger waistlines. Follow this advice on how to swerve the night-time eating urge…