Struggling with Uncontrollable Late-Night Sweet Cravings? Not Anymore!

It happens to us countless times, in various forms: the daily marathon keeps us awake until midnight, and then... the routine repeats. The stomach—seemingly programmed to feel hungry at this specific time—starts growling. When this happens, we all realize it's not the time to talk to it, trying to convince it with logical arguments why night eating is dangerous. When the stomach growls, it's a sign that the solution needs to be immediate, otherwise the entire contents of the fridge are at risk.

Many of us maintain a routine with meals and don't eat more than our bodies need, yet still—as night falls, we raid the fridge without mercy. What are the damages of late-night eating, and how critical are they for us?

Well, it turns out it's not just the number of calories we consume, but also the timing of when we eat that affects us. Findings from many studies that investigated the importance of 'timing' suggest that the modern lifestyle, which dictates a hectic approach even to eating, is what causes the many harms of night eating.

Skipping breakfast, workload, stress, and anxiety are just a few things that lead us to seek high-calorie snacks at night, according to researchers. So what's the problem? Bear in mind that night eating significantly reduces the production of the hormone melatonin—which affects normal blood pressure, body temperature, and glucose levels. Furthermore, it reduces the hormone leptin—which is responsible for regulating energy intake and maintaining a healthy immune system. Therefore, there is no doubt that the lack of these two hormones in the body causes various problems.

Another reason we endanger ourselves with night eating is that the later it gets—the more pronounced the phenomenon of insulin resistance becomes in body cells. Why is this so critical? Because insulin is the one that regulates blood sugar levels, and in its absence—body fat levels will increase, not to mention the numerous diseases that can result from this.

Surprisingly, the solution is much easier than we think: first of all, instill in your mind that no matter how hectic and frantic your schedule is—you don't skip breakfast. Secondly, try to balance the amount of food you consume during the day—not only will this give you a sense of control over what you eat and when, but it will also help you regulate food consumption at times that are healthy for you, to stay healthy.