What is Night Eating Syndrome?
You may have night eating syndrome (NES) if you answered yes to any of the following questions:
- Sometimes, do you feel that you’ve lost control of the way you eat?
- Are your eating habits interfering with your sleep?
- When it comes to breakfast, do you usually not feel hungry?
- Did you ever wake up to eat a big amount of food in the middle of the night?
- Is it common for you to eat most of your meal after dinner?
If you answered “yes” to any of the above questions, you may be suffering from night eating syndrome (NES). As physicians and researchers discover that many people are dealing with nighttime overeating, which can contribute to weight gain in many people, NES is progressively gaining more awareness in the medical community.
Additionally, eating late at night is one of the common signs of eating disorders and may be associated with feelings of guilt, stress, and other negative emotions.
A sleep and eating disorder is known as Night Eating Syndrome.
To help you in understanding the eating disorders, a sleep and eating problem is known as NES. There are numerous different types of night eating disorders, such as:
- Cravings eater
- Sleep eater
- Overeater at night
- Nervous eater
Tips on how to manage Night Eating Syndrome with nutrients:
To start your night eating syndrome treatment and improve your overall health, there are a few things you can do to assist you to manage your nighttime eating, such as following these nutrition guidelines:
SELF-CARE:
Make an effort to take care of yourself. Emotions or stress may cause some people to turn to food as a coping mechanism. Does this strike a chord with you? In order to control night eating, it’s critical to manage stress and practice self-care.
Take a moment to ask yourself, how can you find time to take care of yourself during the day? Some symptoms might be better managed by reading a book, watching TV, performing yoga, or doing handicrafts.
EAT REGULARLY
All through the day, eat. They become abnormally hungry at night when people don’t eat enough throughout the day which can lead to overeating. Preventing extreme hunger later in the evening by eating during the day and recognizing your appetite can set you up for success. Working with a nutritionist can help you improve this habit because it will be difficult to change.
VARIETY:
At meals, include a variety of dietary groups: It can make you feel full throughout the day. It’s likely that if you permit yourself to eat particular items (including sweets and salty foods!), you’ll start to need them less at night.
SIT DOWN TO EAT
After you sit down and enjoy your meals at the dinner table, you will feel more content when you are finished eating. You may not feel the desire for more later if you are actually enjoying your meal.
ADDITIONAL TIPS
Techniques for Avoiding Night Eating: Some of your NES symptoms will be relieved if you follow the four guidelines above. However, because each person is unique, we recommend consulting a Registered Dietitian at a night eating syndrome clinic in Abu Dhabi as well as a therapist to help you overcome your issues.
It is essential to obtain professional help since skilled therapists will be able to collaborate with you to develop a plan that is tailored to your lifestyle and unique circumstances.
The following are examples of possible tools:
- Journaling – Keep a journal next to your bed or in the kitchen and write down your feelings and thoughts before and after each meal. Keep an eye on your food cravings.
- Postpone your desire – Can you hold off on eating for 30 seconds, a minute, 5 minutes? On a scale of 1 to 10, assess the intensity of the urge. Is it true that as time passes, the urge becomes more tolerable? How long does it take to detect a difference?
- During the day, give yourself a fun food challenge. When there are certain foods you avoid on a regular basis, concentrate on making peace with them and including them in your diet. Collaborating with an Eating Disorders-specialist Registered Dietitian can help you navigate this process.
- Relaxation techniques, such as breathing exercises, should be practiced.
- Make food less accessible at night by employing strategies.
- In the kitchen, post a sign that says “I believe in you.”
- Make a snack that you can keep at your bedside.
These are just a few of the many options available to you, and Maudsley Health can assist you in determining which one is best for you.
Talk to a Registered Night Eating Syndrome Treatment Specialist about how they can help with inspiration and responsibility if you think you’re having trouble with NES or something similar. They may also be able to suggest some helpful suggestions that you would not have considered on your own. You can contact Maudsley Health UAE by email at [email protected] or call them at (+971) 2 610 7777.
