Why do i wake up at night to eat.?

Question

I am not overweight but ever since I was pregnant (2 years ago) I wake up at around 3am hungry. I will usually have a piece of fruit or a bowl on muesli but this isn't right. What can be causing this - any ideas.

Answer 1

Sounds like you got into a habit, and your stomach got used to it. While what you're eating is actually healthy, it's not a really good habit to get into, and disrupts your sleep patterns. Just resist the urge to get up and eat. When you wake up, think of non-food thoughts until you fall asleep again. If you have trouble staying asleep, try using melatonin before you go to sleep, or use an OTC sleep aid to help you stay asleep. Of course, be careful not to become addicted to sleep aids, and follow the directions precisely. Melatonin is safe, but some people report having nightmares when using it, so you will just have to try it and see if it works for you.

Answer 2

Well i think now it come to be your habit, and u can't stop. the best thing to do is when you feel like waking at night go back to sleep.try not to go to bed with a full stomach.

Answer 3

drink only water

Answer 4

U need to ajust your sleeping pattern, try and tire yourself out so u sleep past 3am.

Maybe try going out for a walk b4 going to bed?

x

Answer 5

I have suffered from this since giving birth too, I was lucky enough to be at a talk given by a nutritionist, she recommended eating a carb's for dinner and having a carb snack before bedtime.

I was put off as I didn't think this is not great for weight loss (I do need to loose weight so 2/3am snack's were a nightmare for me)...however since doing so I am sleeping much better. I have more energy for the next day so end up working out more and am still loosing weight!

She did give the reasons for this..all to do with needed far more energy as a mother than before...

You may be doing this all-ready..if not it may help!

Answer 6

Usually, it could be you developed a eating routine if you've been doing it for 2yrs it could be that or it could be the fact the baby's need a lot of food and that it would wake you up and you just became used to it but  please dont think my advice is 100 percent on target id see a doctor just to make sure its nothing more serious.

Answer 7

No, it's not normal. I just had this discussion with my dietician, who was trying to determine if I was eating enough, and whether the cause of my hunger was physiological or not. She says that waking up hungry in the middle of the night is a very clear sign that you are significantly undereating.