Why you crave junk food at night (and what to do about it)

Good morning Healthy Mail family!

9:30pm. You've eaten a healthy dinner. You're watching TV, feeling good about your food choices... and then it hits.

The unstoppable craving for something sweet, salty, or both. You tell yourself "just a few chips" or "one cookie" but somehow the entire bag disappears.

Sound familiar?

Here's what I used to think: I have no willpower. I'm addicted to junk food. I'm just weak when it comes to nighttime eating.

Here's what I learned: None of that was true.

Your nighttime cravings aren't about willpower. They're your body's way of telling you something important.

The 4 real reasons you crave junk food at night:

Reason #1: You didn't eat enough during the day When you under-eat all day (especially protein), your body panics at night and craves quick energy. Those chips aren't "bad choices" - they're your body desperately trying to get calories it needed 6 hours ago.

Reason #2: You're actually thirsty Dehydration often feels like hunger, especially sugar cravings. Before you reach for snacks, drink a big glass of water and wait 10 minutes. You'll be shocked how often this works.

Reason #3: You're emotionally exhausted After a long day of making decisions and handling stress, your brain wants the quickest dopamine hit it can get. Sugar and salt are like emotional band-aids for your overwhelmed nervous system.

Reason #4: It's become a habit If you always eat something sweet while watching TV, your brain now associates relaxation with food. It's not hunger - it's conditioning.

So what do you do about it?

For Reason #1: Eat more during the day, especially protein at lunch and dinner. When your body feels nourished, it stops panicking at night.

For Reason #2: Keep a water bottle next to your couch. Drink first, then decide if you're actually hungry.

For Reason #3: Find other ways to decompress. Hot tea, a bath, gentle stretching. Give your brain the comfort it's seeking without food.

For Reason #4: Change your environment. Sit in a different chair, brush your teeth right after dinner, or keep your hands busy with a puzzle or knitting.

But here's my secret weapon for nighttime cravings...

Have better options ready.

When that 9pm sweet tooth hits, I don't fight it. I satisfy it with something that actually nourishes me instead of leaving me feeling guilty and sluggish.

My go-to nighttime treats:

• Dark chocolate avocado mousse

• Frozen banana "nice cream"

• Chia pudding that tastes like dessert

• Energy balls that satisfy my cookie cravings

• Warm spiced almond milk

All of these taste indulgent but actually support good sleep and stable blood sugar.

The game-changer: When you have delicious healthy options ready, you stop feeling deprived and the cravings naturally decrease over time.

My dessert collection has 30 recipes for exactly this - treats that taste like the "real thing" but are made with ingredients that love your body back.

Get 30 Healthy Desserts - CODE: DESSERT for 50% off

No more 9pm guilt spirals. No more empty chip bags. Just satisfaction without the regret.

What's your biggest nighttime craving trigger? Stress? Boredom? Actual hunger? Hit reply and tell me - I've probably been there too!

Sweet dreams (without the sugar crash)! Sarah

P.S. - My #1 nighttime craving killer? Herbal tea with a tiny bit of honey. It's warm, slightly sweet, and gives your hands and mouth something to do while you unwind.