Is a bedtime snack part of your nightly ritual? Do you routinely eat dinner late due to work, exercise or family commitments? Many people find themselves falling into the habit of eating at night, making it difficult to lose weight. Take a look at the following typical reasons for nighttime eating and start making changes today!

A matter of time

Eating dinner less than two hours before you go to bed won't necessarily cause weight gain, but it does mean that this meal should be the smallest of the day. It simply makes sense to eat most of our calories when we're active during the day. If you find evenings are filled with activities that push your dinner hour to a less than desirable time, try these strategies:

• Make lunch your main meal of the day, and choose a small sandwich with fruit or a salad, a small plate of pasta and vegetables or even a bowl of cereal and fruit for your late-night dinner.
• Schedule a snack around a more appropriate dinnertime. Make sure the snack is packed with nutrients and not just something quick you grab on your way out the door. Good ideas include half a sandwich, yogurt or cottage cheese with fruit, a small baked potato with salsa, or one to two ounces of low-fat cheese and whole-grain crackers. This healthy snack will keep you going during the evening, and you won't be so famished that you overeat when dinnertime finally arrives.
• Pick up a healthy meal at the grocery store on your way home. Many supermarkets now have excellent salad and soup bars, cut-up fresh fruit and vegetables, whole-grain breads, and roasted chicken. Remember to choose small portions and avoid fried foods or foods coated with fatty sauces.