You are not alone! I do the exact same thing and I don't know how to stop it. Last night I innocently started out eating a few grapes, then measured out some pistachios but ended up eating more of them, then ice cream! I am usually fine the rest of the day, and feel full from dinner but want something so bad afterward! Any advice would be appreciated! I try to figure out why I do it, and all I can seriously think of is that I CRAVE something - I want to taste it, and it really doesn't matter what I"m doing. I can easily ruin a day of counting calories after dinner :(

thank you for the advice jules..and i think you are right in that it might be boredom or emotional eating.  im not sure i would consider it a snack though, since like you mentioned..i often do it until my stomach is hurting and big!  i try to read magazines, or watch a movie but it often doesnt work.  the only thing that works is me turning off the lights and just going to bed!  i feel so ashamed that thats the only things that can stop me. 

thin..thanks for understanding.  i agree with you too in that you are just looking for something..you crave something and one little nibble turns into a nibble of something else, then move onto something else.  again, its the reason i try really hard to not keep anything bad for me in the house.  if its there ill start snacking on it.  my mom left some tortilla chips and pita chips at my house the other day, and that night, i ate some of them.  ended up bringing the rest to work the next day just so i wouldnt eat anymore!  i figure if im going to binge..its a tad better to do it on over load of broccoli or tomatoes or something. 

You could keep some fresh veggies around for this purpose.  Or, one of my favorites is a bowl of baby dill pickles.  Then at some point you just have to remind yourself that you're not truly hungry and you've got better things to do.  Try reading a book to distract yourself, work on your budget, etc.

well i usually "binge" 500 calories, but i put binge in quotations because i consider a binge at least 1000 calories, but that's just me.

i definitely agree that just keeping lots of fresh fruit & veggies around the house is a good way to start... non-caloric stuff is good as well. i've found some amazing teas that i make for myself after dinner, which definitely take the snacking edge off.

it is probably worth trying to wean yourself of the habit given that it sounds like it is a likely weak spot, where you are mostly likely to go off the wagon.

I also find I generally have some cravings at night. I think it is partly because after I settle in on the couch it is just too easy. Weekends can be like that too.

What I find works for me is:

#1 gum. If I have a craving I reach for some 5 calorie gum and start chewing. That works almost all the time. By the time I'm sick of the gum the craving has usually passed.

#2 I stick to a routine where I know around 9:30 when I am done working out and watching tv I'm going to want something sweet. Usually I have some sliced oranges or grapefruit with a cup of decaf. In other words I plan for the snack and make sure I have the calories cut out of earlier in the day. If I want to have something more like a pop tart then I make sure I add extra time to my work out to eat the calories.

#3 What also can sometimes work for me is to drink a glass of water. That can trick me into feeling more full without having the calories.

all of those things sounds like good tips.  i really try and keep the high calorie bad things to binge on..out of the kitchen.  its good to have the veggies around and i do and eat them with salsa or hummus.  but i think the more disturbing part is that i want to eat..something.  so gum and water doesnt always work to trick myself into thinking to not start binging.  my mouth just wants to crunch on crackers or nuts or something.  i know im not hungry and i believe it is emotional.  did it again last nite...i started wtih some broccoli and salsa..made the mistake of buying trail mix and ate some of that...then moved on to a little bread..then a bite of string cheese..  its like i have to sample every single thing in the house!  it really does feel like its out of control.  its the worst part of the day for me for sure.  i can usually keep to a really strict diet until that point and it just blows my whole day of being so careful.   it makes me so frustrated and angry with myself and it really makes me feel bad about myself.  the next morning i feel super bad and ashamed.  i only eat like this when no one is around too...after my hubby has gone to the other room or to bed.  anyone else?   thanks

i do snack throughout the day....in fact, i prefer that then to eat larger meals.  at work, i will snack on low fat cheese, some hummus maybe, a few nuts here and there.  lunch is a salad with lots of veggies..no lettuce though.  dinner again, is salad with veggies, a little parm cheese over the top.  i generally dont eat that much meat..unless we eat out and i will have a bite or two of what hubby orders.  i do drink plenty of water during the day..smart water, green tea and one cup of coffee.  

to get the healthy fats, i turn to nuts but even nuts are dangerous for me.  its hard for me to stop eating them sometimes!  so i try to really limit them.  dont keep them in the house either..  just at work when im not in that grazing period.  i just wish i could have the same control over what and how much i eat at night as i do during the day.  its almost like..ive been so good during the day, i can be bad at night?  anyone else feel like that?

happy friday by the way!

doug76, i completely understand what you are saying because i am very similar! i love pistachios and almonds - and they are healthy, right?! so i feel like i am doing the right thing buying them instead of cookies or chips - and i will even measure out a serving - and sometimes i'm fine with that, other times i go back again, or say screw it and bring the bag/can on the couch with me. i don't know what to do with myself! i can eat a reasonable breakfast, lunch, snack, even dinner...then it all goes to hell!

and i have noticed that after i eat nuts, or even cheese or cottage cheese, i immediately crave either chocolate or ice cream! so i move right along to that afterward. i don't get those same overwhelming cravings during the day, and i thought that eating more protein was supposed to make those less likely to happen. and honestly, chewing gum and drinking water does nothing for me! i can't "fool" myself into anything - and i drink a ton of water and tea and it's obviously not doing the trick! this whole process is exhausting to me - and i use up so much energy every day thinking about not eating too much, or eating too much and then feeling bad about it. i don't know the answer - i've tried to address the emotional part and honestly, and i still don't know...there is nothing tragic going on, and you would think just being aware of all this would help - i guess i'm just REALLY frustrated...:(

I'm the same in that it's the evening time that I want to eat. So I usually keep about 200cal spare for the evening. Also thats when I do my situps & weights as it distracts me a bit, plus I use a muscle twitching/toning belt thing which means that for half an hour I can't get up & go to the kitchen

This may not be up your alley... but try streching or meditating.  It is probably emotional eating and if you can disconnect from that emotional (relize that it will pass and the emotion does not define you) then you will not need the food.  You may not even be able to name the emotion, maybe it's some form of 'wanting' that tranlates into 'wanting' food.  Just sitting in the moment can help you to appreciate your life and your body, thus letting go of whatever unrest you are trying to medicate.  Watch your breath and enjoy the pleasure of being alive in that moment, that wonderful moment that you will never, ever get again.  If streching helps you connect to your body and the moment, try that. 

A little excersize to try:  Sit cross legged, spine long.  Or lay flat on your back.  Count your breaths for 20 breaths.  Nice, slow, deep, full belly breaths.  Here's the deal... count from 20 backwards.  And if your mind starts to wonder all over creation and you lose track, then you have to start over again at 20.  Maybe start at 10 to begin with if your mind is really crazy.  Not only is this healthy for you body but it will help to ground you and you just might find out you don't want to eat at all!

It works for me!

Good luck!