Night Eating Syndrome

Symptoms and Treatment of Nighttime Hunger

Jan 17, 2008
Tracy Rose

Nighttime Eating - Juanita De Paola

Can't stop nighttime food cravings? Use these tips to curb late-night snacking.

Imagine you have just finished a large meal for dinner. Almost automatically the cravings kick in. What you ate for dinner might be enough physically, but emotionally you are still hungry. Even after you try to go to sleep you experience cravings and feel like you can't stop eating.

If this nighttime food experience happens to you, you probably have night eating syndrome. While some people feel the need to hide the fact that they have night eating syndrome because it makes them feel ashamed that they have no control over food, it is a real disorder and you can get help.

Symptoms of a Nighttime Eater

Night eating syndrome is an emotionally charged eating behavior that typically runs in families. Obese people are more likely to turn to food for self-medication and development eating syndrome. If you treat dinner as your main meal of the day and eat more than 50% of your daily calories after dinner you are likely a nighttime eater. Other symptoms are not feeling hungry in the morning for breakfast and feeling stressed out or depressed.

Treatment for Night Eating Syndrome

Don't throw in the towel and give up on yourself. There are treatments available to help with night eating syndrome. Seek counseling to get a firm diagnosis of your eating problem first. Rid your kitchen of high calorie carbohydrates and sweets to minimize the damage of night eating when strong cravings occur. Therapy is yet another option that can reduce stress and raise melatonin to allow allow better sleep patterns and less eating.

Tips to Curb the Nighttime Snacking

There is hope for people who can't stop food cravings at night. The following is a list of tips that may help you curb the nighttime snacking of dinner leftovers:

Brush your teeth after dinner
Plan a healthy after dinner snack
Eat a serving of carbs with dinner
Freeze dinner leftovers so you don't snack on them later
Choose sugarless gum
Keep your kitchen free of junk food
Find other activities to keep your hands and mind preoccupied
Buy pre-portioned packages of snacks (like the many 100 calorie snacks available)
Don't skip meals. Spread your calories out evenly over the day to avoid feeling overly hungry
Eat breakfast even if you don't feel like it

Tracy Rose - Tracy Rose is a powerflifter who holds the state record in deadlifting and has had success in her own weight loss journey.

Comments

Aug 22, 2008 12:25 PM

Guest :

I am a night eater, have been for as long as I can remember. At 45 years old I can rarely go even one night without night eating. I fall asleep easily, but wake every 2 hours, or so, and the urge to eat is overpowering, leaving me remorseful and depressed the next morning. I'm in drug and alcohol recovery, 5 years, but the remorse I feel the next morning is worse than any remorse I felt after using. I can't stop. I want more than anything to stop. Juli

Sep 23, 2008 7:57 AM

Guest :

Juli, I feel your pain i too am in the exact same scenario with the night eating. I fall asleep easily and i wake up just as easily , i eat and then go back to sleep and i do that every 2 hours. I feel like a newborn baby! I hate myself every morning. I am on zoloft but just started and so far 2nd week in no changes. Waiting to see a specialist who apparently is an expert in our disorder. Let's hope i get some relief! I have tried everything nothing works! sleeping pills, hiding food, having better snacks available.. nothing works

Oct 8, 2008 7:43 AM

Guest :

I'm in the same predicament, I keep waking every hour to eat. I have gone to extreme mesures to stop. I keep the bare minimum in my fridge and cupboards, yet despite the fact that there are no goodies to be found I still wake up craving to eat every hour! I found it interesting that despite the fact that my brain knew there was NO snacks, I still keep woke up searching.

Oct 20, 2008 10:13 AM

Guest :

There is a Great book called Overcoming Night Eating Syndrome: A Step-by-Step Guide to Breaking the Cycle. these tip on this websites are good but will only last so long, and disregards the biological reasons for night eating. The good thing about the book is that these are professionals that have studied the disorder for years, and really have good ideas to help you overcome it.

Oct 20, 2008 2:54 PM

Guest :

I too am a nighttime eater. I'm 43 and have been since I can remember. I remember before I was in kindergarden my mom placing a plate of oreo cookies and a glass of milk in the fridg before bedtime, this way I wouldn't have to wake her up. I'm trying so hard to loose weight, I'm working out on a daily basis twice a week with a trainer and on my own. I'm watching what I eat during the day, but it's the night time that pulling me down. I take in so many calories during the night that I don't have many left over for the rest of the 24hrs! I want this to stop! Thank goodness none of my chldren have this problem. Please help! Helen

Oct 21, 2008 8:22 AM

Guest :

Thank you for the info on the book. I just ordered it.

Jan 24, 2009 3:41 PM

Guest :

believe it or not. im not 19 yrs old and for the past 5 or more weeks ive been having the same issue. its soo frusturating. the first 3 weeks it was a hunger issue 24 hrs straight for me, not only at night. now its only on and off but still everynight i wake up about 2-3hrs starving. i tried forcing water and activia yogert but that only works for so long. i dont know what to do. im sleep deprived most of the time. i went to the doctors, he said i might need to eat more veggies and such but ive tried that. only works so much. but then he also said to get blood tested for anemia/diabettes and 3 other reasons what it might be. so im still waiting for those results.

Mar 2, 2009 9:41 PM

Guest :

i too have been suffering from this for abour 4 years-- it has gone through many phases. I feel terrible in the morning when I wake up after getting in to high carb snacks. the best thing that has worked for me so far is to get rid of as many high carb things in my place as i can. but i still havent found a good solution--has anyone seen any doctors/ had any therapy/ taken any supplement/ drugs that help? im desperate!

Mar 6, 2009 10:14 AM

Guest :

I am 45 years old sufferung from NES,I too over excersise,have tried all diets (hate it) watch what i eat all day, still I get up 1-3 times a night to eat. I have been on prozac, wellbruition, 3month theapry nothing seems to help. I have been reading about the medication zolfolt. I feel since i am on medication anyway why not try one that have been in trials any other information would be helpful keep pushing forward lets not except a life being overweight, unhappy, unhealthy because of a control we cannot stop. thank you all for your comments

Apr 27, 2009 3:57 PM

Guest :

I too suffer from this disorder. I exercise almost every day and hardly eat anything during the day, and then I have a good dinner. But at night I wake up and crave food. I decided I am going to end it all. I am going to fight this if it is the last thing I do. I want to wake up feeling no guilt and I'm going to succeed. I think we need to start a web site so we can all meet and discuss our progress. Good Luck!

Jun 20, 2009 8:24 AM

Guest :

I'm 48 years old and I've had this problem since my teenage years. I could still manage my weight when I was younger, but now I'm finding it harder to do. Last year, I found myself 40 pounds overweight and went on a strict diet and lost 20 pounds. But, now no matter what I can't lose the rest because I can't stop the night eating. The cravings start after dinner. I munch all night, go to bed and then like clock-work, wake up and eat about 2 hours later to eat. I've tried all the 'tricks' but nothing helps. Last night I ate bread and butter because I barely have any food in the house. The 'tips' listed above might work for a couple of nights, but they're not going to help people long-term who have this disorder.

Jul 19, 2009 7:40 PM

Guest :

I had this disease when I was in college a few years ago. After being shuttled back and forth between nutritionists, psychiatrists and sleep specialists (nobody seems to know whether it's a sleep disorder or a psychological one), I finally saw a sleep specialist who changed my whole life. He put me on Topamax, which is an anti-convulsant also used for people with binge eating disorder, depression, and a bunch of other medical problems. I can't remember the exact dosage but I worked up to taking 4 pills a night for maybe 2 or 3 months and that stopped the nighttime eating completely. Then I weaned off of the pills entirely and I was fine. It's been about 4 years and I am NES free and never eat at night. This pill is seriously a miracle and saved my life. The best part is, it's not like Ambien or some other super addictive drug that you become dependent on. I had no problem weaning myself off. Good luck everyone!

Aug 6, 2009 12:44 PM

Guest :

I have been a night eater for at least 4 years, if not longer. I dont eat all day simply because I am not hungry. Than I have nice normal healthy dinner and than I go to bed. However, I can not fall asleap unless I am full. So I get up and eat untill I am completely stuffed and than I can finally fall asleep. If I dont do that I might stay up until 4-5AM or in most cases dont sleep at all. I have gone thru 48 - 72 hours with no sleep at all. I dont take drugs, never have, drink one cup of coffee in the morning, no energy drinks. I changed my night eating with stocking up on fruit and veggies, however 6 peaches, 3 oranges and 2 bananas is still a lot of sugar and carbs for just a night snack before bed. At this point I am desperate for help and I am considering talking to a doctor about it.

Sep 7, 2009 5:28 PM

Guest :

MY mom too is a nighttime eater and we Just tonight found out that she has NES and she cant go to sleep till around 3 in the morning, how can we get it to stop please give advice -NREM

Sep 17, 2009 7:47 PM

Guest :

I just put a name to what has been going on for me...NES. I never knew this was a real disorder. Are there any OTC anti-depressants for this? I was told that organic OTC drugs might be effective. My only concern about taking anti-depressants is the possible sexual side effects. I stuggle with losing that 10 lbs...and I exercise. I suffer from a high stress job and recently encountered additional stress. Advice on this is helpful...

Oct 3, 2009 5:07 PM

Guest :

In the same place with most of the others. i work out hard 5 times a week; than blow it at night waking up 234 times nightly. sometimes not even remembering how much i ate... I absolutely am done with this, I made an appointment with an eating disorder specialist. I have tried all the different ideas nothing works for me... a 45 year old female am meticulous about what goes in my body 7am to 8pm after that 12, 1. 230 .all the hard work and exercise just got ate up with all that junk. this needs to stop. will get back with you after appointment.

Oct 10, 2009 5:06 PM

Guest :

wow, I feel so relieved knowing that I am not the only night-eater in the world! I am 17 years old, and have been waking up to eat during the night for 4 years. I have tried everything i can possibly think of to stop; hiding food ( i found the stash), making my parents lock the kitchen(I would bring food to my room before they locked it) and i even went to a weight loss camp this summer, where I didn't even have access to food at night, and yet i still found myself stealing double snacks, or stealing my friends snacks! Iv been to 4 therapists so far and none of them have been able to help. I also used to go to a nutritionist, but she didn't help me either. I already own the Night Eating Syndrome Book and have read it many times. I have no idea what happened to me over these last 4 years because I used to be anorexic and had amazing control over my diet. This habit has made me so depressed, i hate how i look, i am now the fattest of all my friends. I feel so hopeless. Please someone help me!!!!!

Jan 25, 2010 2:31 PM

Guest :

I personally think all this night eating stuff is psychological. I started getting into this habit when I began college a couple years ago and didn't think much of it until i started to notice the pounds packing on...it seemed like the harder I worked out, the more i would wake up and eat in the middle of the night, canceling out all my hard work! It got really bad these last two weeks so I told myself this has to stop. I printed pictures of what I used to look like and put them in places where i know i will see them. I have a hard time falling asleep and staying asleep because I am so stressed out with school during the day but I have been taking valerian root capsules and diming the lights before I go to bed and this seems to do the trick. It really is all in your head. If you tell yourself you can overcome this and be strong you will get through this! Most of you, like me seem to have created a very bad habbit BUT you can break this.

Apr 20, 2010 5:30 AM

Guest :

Just don't eat during the day, then you can eat all night!

Apr 23, 2010 5:44 AM

Guest :

i am the same way ! :) i cant go to sleep with out a full tummy :) and i can never eat breakfast in the morning so yahh . thanks bye

May 27, 2010 1:56 PM

Guest :

I am 21 years old, and have been eating at night for about a year now. I too, have the similar pattern of many of you, waking up every couple of hours during the night to eat food. Lots of food. I used to remember everything I ate but now it's starting to get out of control. I wake up with a large, stuffed, bloated belly completely oblivious sometimes to what i ate during the night. I am finding it stressful to seek help from professionals because it seems as though I'm hearing the same thing over and over again. - "Eat lots during the day! include lots of protein and fibre" What seems to be misunderstood is that NES eventually becomes a forced habit. No matter how in control one's eating is during the day, or how in control your blood sugar is at night, Night eating will still take place for most of us who have tried everything to put an end to it. I am starting to believe that the only one who will fix this is us sufferers ourselves. It is all in your head. Never give up on trying to stop NES which can seriously get in the way of a happy life. I think we should try little techniques like devoting more time to ourselves to really think about this problem, write down how it makes us feel, and how we'd like to feel. If we want to rid ourselves of this problem we need to be really strong!

Jun 21, 2010 7:08 AM

Guest :

Im 20 yrs old,I myself struggle with NES.When I was 16yrs old,I started too have an amazing control over what I ate,super healthy diet and over exercise,without knowing I developed anorexia,and even my period stopped for 6 months.After that stopped.In some times I would wake up in middle of night to eat,maybe due to stress with school etc.It was only at times. I now restrict my calories too much during the day. Im in a healthy weight ,almost underweight ,but what most bothers me is how the body got used to wake up at night,hungry.I never can sleep the whole night,.And the guilt I feel the next morning after eating foods that arent healthy or healthy but the time is the main problem!.Of course u gain weight this way.The problem I see is my restriction of calories, and the body is looking for those needed calories. I'm going to see an eating disorder specialist soon,I'm hoping I can change this eating unbalance soon.It affects how Ive been feeling.I need help asap.

Jun 29, 2010 1:42 PM

Guest :

I DO THIS! i thought i was crazy! all i want is coffee in the morning and a salad for lunch, and i eat good for dinner, but the time in between dinner and bed time i cant stop thinking about food! i eat a little of this, a little of that, a little more of that and nothing satisfies me! im already on antidepressants and i thought that was causing it so i switched to a different one which helped for about a month but now its back again! i hate this, i am fat because of this and my self esteem is very low : (

Jun 29, 2010 1:48 PM

Guest :

also keep in mind that antidepressants cause your metabolism to slow so its a catch 22, plus they do nothing for my overeating

Jul 5, 2010 5:09 PM

Guest :

I think I have this, I never feel like eating breakfast and sometimes I can even skip lunch but after like 3 or 4pm I make up for it eating almost every two or three hours until midnight, and go to bed always feeling bad about doing it. And i'm always stressed out and/or depressed which i take medication for (the depression)

Aug 20, 2010 12:47 PM

Guest :

I just can't believe finding this. I thought I was just weak and couldn't be more stupid for feeling like I couldn't stop this. The urge to eat is so overpowering that i simply can not rationalize with my brain to stop. I usually wake up after about 1-2 hours of sleep and HAVE to eat until I am full. Not a little full but can't get another thing in full! I also try to keep only healthy choices available but I have kids so I can't eliminate all yummy stuff. I have gotten myself to stay away from cookies/cake that kind of stuff but I just can't stop! I hate it.

Dec 3, 2010 8:35 PM

Guest :

I am a night eater and I can't stop it. Anytime I get home no matter how late I always go straight to the kitchen. And I eat and eat and keep eating. I have gained a lot of weight (I am not huge but I am gaining noticeable weight) and I am so embarrassed and I hate myself for it but I can't come home without going to the kitchen. I always have to eat before I go to bed and its never just a little but. I can't stop it I feel at a loss of control. Its crazy how food can overpower some people.

Mar 8, 2011 4:20 PM

Guest :

I thought this was rare but it seems like its effecting alot of people and i feel better that im not in this alone.. Before i used to think that this overpowering habit was okay and nothing to worry about but now i believe its just as bad as anerexia or obesity.. the only reason i didnt sweat it is because its not a popular disorder that you hear about, but as soon as we can all accept that its just as nasty as any eating disorder the sooner we can start fighting it. Im only 18 and this problem is only going to keep getting worse if I keep letting it win. For everyone suffering out there, I want you to know that no medication is more powerful then our mind power.. and each day we excercise that mind power by saying no to our disorders the sooner we will take control back of lives.

Mar 17, 2011 10:40 PM

Guest :

Do yoga and drink lots of water. I used to struggle with this and got up to 150 lbs, I am now around 110. Ohh and I became a vegetarian so maybe that could help some of you too. :)

Apr 5, 2011 9:34 PM

Guest :

I do all of those things and it doesn't seem to help me any I gotta eat and eat

May 5, 2011 4:43 AM

Guest :

I'm 28 and I've been eating during the night since I was a child. Even as young as 4 years old my parents tell me I used to wake up to eat. Everyone always told me it was a bad habit, a learnt behaviour, and I felt embarrassed to say that I couldn't control myself during the night. But if it's a learnt behaviour, who taught me this? Some people find it funny, I guess that's because I don't fully express how I feel every morning and how that feeling consumes me during the day. I feel guilty and restrict my food as much as I can during the day as I have no control at night. I don't know what to do, sometimes I feel hopeless, I wish I could afford one to one psychotherapy or so. I talked to some Drs about this, and most of them had never heard of this... Some tested me for diabetes and for hyperactive tyroid. The results have shown no abnormalities. I've tried listening to relaxation and hypnosis records before sleeping, taking the food off the house, drinking water but nothing seems to work. Once I wake up the first time to eat, I don't stop till the morning; every hour I wake up to eat. I noticed that I look for high carbs food like sweets, bread, cereals; I don't crave fruit or salad. I also noticed that if I'm able to resist temptation and keep control the first time I wakle up to eat, it's much easier to control the other times. However, once I wake up to eat, I keep waking up every hour. I can't get enough sleep and as well as blame I feel nacked in the mornings. I am goint to try a melatonin supplement before sleeping and see if it helps; i'll let you know if it does.

May 5, 2011 4:47 AM

Guest :

32 Comments