I am hungry but I shouldn't because I will be in bed soon...

Ok – we have all heard it before. No eating before bed, don’t eat after 6pm, make sure you eat at least three hours before bed…if you do YOUR FOOD WILL TURN INTO FAT!
I decided to check into this a bit more, why? Well, a few nights ago I was hungry about a half hour before bed. Now, normally I would ignore the hunger and wait until the morning but not this night!!! I thought to myself, you are hungry so just grab a small bite to eat…and I did…I ate a Kashi TLC bar and slept the whole night….

Here is some information I think will be helpful for you when you run into this situation:

• DON’T SKIP THIS OR ANY MEAL IF YOU ARE HUNGRY - Proper nutrition is needed all day. You should be eating every 2-4 hours to increase your metabolism and maintain muscle mass. If you skip a meal, your metabolism is affected and your body may go into a catabolic state (meaning the body begins to breakdown muscle and tissue with a potential of your next meal to be stored as fat).
• A light snack will work
• Hand full of nuts
• A whole wheat slice of bread
• Fruit (I love mangos as a dessert)
• Veggies
• Spoonful of peanut butter

BUT NOT

• Processed foods
• Foods high in sugar
• Foods high in saturated fat
• Snack at least 30 minutes before bedtime
• You should not feel full
• You still burn calories when you sleep, just not as much as when you are awake
• Remember - weight gain happens when you consume more calories than you burn so be aware of what you are eating

Bottom line: If you are hungry before bedtime then have a light snack. Don’t starve yourself.  Make sure you are not eating because you are bored, tired or just because. Those are empty calories and most likely will contribute to weight gain.

NOW!!!! Next time you are at the grocery store, think about a snack that would work for you and you will be set!

Sources 
http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/features/trouble-sleeping-some-bedtime-snacks-can-help-you-sleep

http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/diet-truth-myth-eating-night-causes-weight-gain  
http://www.livestrong.com/article/87749-eating-before-bed-gaining/  
http://www.shapefit.com/how-long-before-bed-stop-eating.html