It’s the same scene every night: it’s 11 pm, dinner is done, but somehow your sweet tooth is just getting started. Before you know it, your brain is tempting you to dig into that tub of ice cream waiting in the fridge. Late-night snacking can make it harder to stick to your health goals, so what’s really driving these cravings – and how can you curb them?
Dehydration is another common factor that can leave your brain searching for a quick energy fix. Thirst can sometimes be mistaken for hunger, while inadequate hydration may also leave you feeling fatigued and affect the body’s ability to generate energy. This can fuel cravings for sugary or salty foods. The fitness coach stresses, “Number three isn’t really a food, but it’s drinking enough water. If you’ve been eating well throughout the day and meeting your daily protein, fibre and hydration needs but still find yourself craving something sweet after dinner, don’t worry. Sometimes, the best way to curb a craving is to satisfy it – just choose a more nourishing option instead of reaching for a highly processed snack loaded with added sugar and less desirable ingredients.
By the time you eat dinner, you should have already drunk at least 60 oz of water.
Coach Eric recommends, “If you do all of this and still want something sweet, try something like dark chocolate, Greek yogurt with berries, or the best low calorie dessert of all time, a low-calorie high-protein ice cream.”
