[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||6px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]It\u2019s after dinner when you need a taste of something sweet \u2013 or maybe you\u2019re a salty person. The kids are in bed, no-one\u2019s watching, you\u2019ve been \u201cgood\u201d all day \u2013 you didn\u2019t even eat anything until lunchtime. Why not just a snack size packet of chips? But that doesn\u2019t quite do it, so you have another. And then you\u2019re away, opening packet after packet until they\u2019re all gone.<\/p>\n
Maybe for you, it\u2019s the automatic 8:30pm reach for the chocolate biscuits at the top of the cupboard while making a decaf or tea. Perhaps you\u2019ve got nothing \u201cnaughty\u201d in the house left, so now you\u2019re just eating cereal, in front of the TV. You started the day eating well but you finished it with a bang, yet again!<\/p>\n
These scenarios are probably not exactly you. For you, it may not feel manic, you might mix in TV or drinking, and it may not be every night, but something about these stories might feel a little familiar.<\/p>\n
If you have noticed that the habit seems worse than it used to be \u2013 night eating is happening more often, and the quantities are getting bigger, along with the guilt and self-loathing \u2013 you aren\u2019t alone. It’s gotten worse for a lot of people since the COVID-19 pandemic began.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ll tell you why – but first, let\u2019s talk about Night-time Eating.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mindandbodyarchitect.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/What-is-Night-Eating.jpg” alt=”Night eating, why do I have night eating, why do I have disordered eating, how to stop binge eating, Disordered Eating, night eating syndrome, daytime starvation, overeating at night, binge eating at night” title_text=”What is Night Eating” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||11px||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]When you just can\u2019t stop regularly eating at night after dinner, and it\u2019s affecting your weight and your self-esteem.<\/p>\n
There are different types of overeating behaviours at night.<\/p>\n
#1. Daytime starvation \u2013 when you don\u2019t provide your body with adequate nourishment throughout the day, it will biologically drive you to replenish energy needs at night. It is not fussy! Your body needs to take in as many calories as possible, to make up for the deficit during the day, and the way that this is accomplished is usually with junk food.<\/p>\n
#2. Night-time Overeating \u2013 usually occurs in response to Stress and the psychological and biological need to relax. This is commonly found in parents who wait until everyone is in bed and then they have some \u2018quiet or down-time\u2019 before going to bed. Sneaking and hiding food can be a part of this behaviour. <\/p>\n
#3. Night Eating Syndrome<\/a> \u2013 this condition combines overeating at night with sleep problems. It\u2019s associated with insomnia, anxiety, depressed mood, sleep-wake and appetite irregularities. Some people believe that they cannot fall asleep without eating and may even wake throughout the night and eat.<\/p>\n All eating at night behaviours can lead to weight gain, obesity, and health concerns. <\/p>\n Happily, it\u2019s something you can overcome with changes to your eating and sleeping habits, daily routines, self-care and learning to improve your mindset, emotional awareness and coping strategies.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mindandbodyarchitect.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Triggers-for-night-time-eating-during-the-pandemic.jpg” alt=”External triggers for night eating behaviours, stress triggers night eating” title_text=”Triggers for night-time eating during the pandemic” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||11px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]As with any form of disordered eating behaviour or eating disorder, there are small and large triggers that result in the behaviours.<\/p>\n Stressors such as significant life events and hormonal disturbances, which affect our beliefs and perceptions of self-identity, can trigger an episode of night-time binge eating behaviour. Changing beliefs about your identity, security, and safety can play a strong role in flare ups and lulls in night-time eating behaviours.<\/p>\n A research article<\/a> by F. Diane Barth explains that even small transitions experienced in the sense of self can act as triggers for eating-related symptoms. For example, Sunday night anticipation of the Monday morning shift from \u2018weekend self\u2019 to \u2018working week self\u2019, a transition of identity involved in a new haircut, or a return to a previous version of \u2018self\u2019 when visiting family.<\/p>\n In identifying COVID-19 as a time of ongoing and, in some ways, life-altering transition, the pandemic is a perfect trigger for a return to a core set of self-beliefs searching for stability and certainty \u2013 a return to the \u201cnight eater\u201d self of the past or amplification. The familiarity of night eating is soothing and comforting during a time of turmoil and uncertainty.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||11px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]The American Psychological Association<\/a> emphasises the importance of recognising the legitimate physical and environmental factors that the pandemic has created, which have caused weight gain. Rather than self-recrimination and blame for lack of self-control and willpower, consider external contributors to night eating triggers:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mindandbodyarchitect.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Treating-night-eating.jpg” alt=”Psychological help for night eating, night eating habits, mindset and beliefs trigger night eating, treatment for night-time eating and weight gain” title_text=”Treating night eating” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||11px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n The comforting takeaway to all this is that a night-time eating flare ups and weight gain during the pandemic is nothing to be ashamed of, is a shared experience, and is manageable. By addressing your beliefs and habits through identifying your values to find your stable core \u2018self\u2019 during times of change, and approaching eating habits mindfully<\/a>, you can manage changes small and large \u2013 even pandemic sized ones \u2013 to achieve your health goals.<\/p>\n If you are struggling and need support, we are here for you.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\nCOVID-19 is a Triggering Event for Binge Eating At Night<\/strong><\/h2>\n
It\u2019s Not Just You \u2013 Binge Eating at Night Is Affecting a Lot of People<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Letting Go of Night Eating<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Private Community<\/strong><\/h2>\n