How to Stop Snacking in the Evening with 5 Simple Tips + A Recipe for Spiced Almond Milk

Do you find yourself reaching for homemade cookies or a bag of chips in the evening? If you want to lose weight, make better eating choices, or overall feel better, one of the simplest and most practical ways to do so is to stop snacking in the evening.

While evening snacking doesn’t necessarily cause weight or health issues by itself, it often sabotages weight loss efforts or even leads to difficulty falling asleep if you eat too much too close to bedtime.

So how to stop snacking in the evening?

I know it’s hard. You’re busy all day – working, doing errands, playing soccer mom (or taxi), then supervising homework, chores, getting kids to bed, etc. The evening is your time. (Maybe.)

You might still be running around doing laundry and cleaning the house. But you might sit down and catch up on your favorite TV show. And you reach for the mint chocolate chip ice cream, and since’s it’s a small Ben & Jerry’s, you just grab a spoon and dig in. Before you know it, the container is empty. Or you’ve eaten more than you intended to.

Here’s the thing: snacking in the evening by itself isn’t so horrible by itself. But it goes downhill when we eat up a whole bag of chips without realizing it. And really, if you’re going to eat something, you may as well enjoy it which is hard to do when you’re focused on paying  bills or watching a riveting episode of Scandal.

That used to be me. I won’t lie and say that I never snack in the evening anymore, but for the most part, I do avoid it and I feel better because of it. I lose weight faster when I don’t snack and I also fall asleep easier. 

It’s not easy to just stop cold turkey, so here’s a few practical tips for how to stop snacking in the evening. These ideas are very simple and doable so you can be successful with this simple baby step toward getting healthy.

How to Stop Snacking in the Evening with 5 Simple Tips:

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1) Establish a set time when you will stop eating.

To make this more doable, gradually bring the time back until, eventually, you’re not eating any food after dinner.

Example: Start with no food after 9pm. Do this for a week. It’s not too overwhelming, right? The next week, set that time to 8:00pm. Then 7:00pm, etc. Make it fit your routine and work for you.

When you gradually ease into a new change like this, you’ll be far more likely to make this a lasting habit than sudden changes that are too drastic and hard to stick with.

 2) Change your routine.

If you’re used to snacking while watching TV in the evenings, maybe take a bubble bath instead. Or do something on the computer. Read a book. Do something that’s different.

3) When you do eat, devote your full attention to it.

I love a simple Paleo-friendly bowl of cooked apples, spices, coconut oil, and pecans after dinner. Instead of sitting down and devouring it while I’m reading Facebook posts or finishing a blog post, I try to sit down and intentionally savor it. I might talk to my husband about his day or talk to one of my children. But if I eat something while I’m watching Netflix, I rarely actually taste it. 

4.) Substitute a healthier alternative.

Ideally we won’t eat much, if at all, after dinner, but sometimes it’s just tough to go cold turkey.

I suggest making a list of healthier, wholesome substitutes instead. Maybe you could eat a handful of nuts instead of those cookies. Or a piece of fruit or vegetable. 

I know those don’t sound that great, so here’s my favorite healthy substitute: Spiced Almond Milk

One of my favorite evening snack substitutes is my delicious recipe for Spiced Almond Milk. I’ve found that this simple warm beverage signals my brain that I’m done and I literally don’t want to eat anything else! It takes just a minute or two to whip up and is the perfect beverage to unwind with after a busy day.

What You’ll Need for Spiced Almond Milk:

• unsweetened almond milk
• vanilla extract
• Saigon cinnamon*
• ground ginger
• nutmeg
• ground cloves

*I recently discovered Saigon Cinnamon and is it ever amazing!! It’s naturally sweet and to me, it tastes more pure and delicious than regular cinnamon. It’s especially good in recipes like our Spiced Almond Milk. If you love cinnamon, you’ll fall in love with Saigon Cinnamon! 

Spiced Almond Milk

★★★★★ 4.5 from 2 reviews

• Author: Erika Bragdon
• Prep Time: 1 min
• Cook Time: 1 min
• Total Time: 2 mins
• Yield: 1 serving 1x
• Category: Drinks

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Description

A warm mug of this creamy Spiced Almond Milk is the perfect way to unwind each evening.

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Scale 1x2x3x

Ingredients

• 12 ounces unsweetened almond milk
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, preferably Saigon Cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ginger
• pinch of nutmeg
• pinch of cloves
• optional: honey or maple syrup to taste if you prefer a little more sweetness

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Instructions

1. Warm the almond milk over the stove or in the microwave.
2. Whisk in the vanilla extract and spices.
3. Optional, but recommended: Blend in a blender for about 30 seconds or so for a frothier beverage.
4. Top with a dusting of cinnamon and nutmeg.
5. Enjoy immediately.

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Notes

Optional: you can add a little honey or maple syrup if you prefer a little sweetness

5.) If all else fails, go to bed early.

Your body probably needs the rest and once you’re in bed, it’s doubtful you’ll be still thinking about whatever you’re craving.

By using these simple tips, I’ve broken myself of the habit of evening snacking. But I’ll join you and pledge to be even more diligent about this simple, yet effective baby step toward healthier living. 

It’s your turn:

Is evening snacking an issue for you? If it is, which of these tips will help you the most?
What other health concerns or habits would you like to address?