Is the Over Eating at Night Holding you Back

I remember a few years ago I'd eat well during the day (mostly) but after dinner - I couldn't STOP eating.

I was always looking in the fridge or pantry forsomething else to snack on. It was like my stomach was a never ending pit.

People tell me their version of this all the time....

"I don’t eat much during the day, because I’m just to busy, but when I got home I would eat the entire pantry and not feel satisified"

What is usually happening though is blood glucose levels have dropped during the day and this triggers alarm bells to all different hormones within your body. Alarm bells that are telling the body that they needs carbohydrates and sugar to bring the glucose levels back up. and therefore creating the cravings you can feel.

I hear this from so many people and often they feel guilty because they can't control it.

No matter how much willpower you have, you can’t beat the body's biochemistry. It's actually a survival mechanism. 

Because the glucose levels have fallen so low, even when you eat something it's not enough - the body wants MORE to store for later, when this happens again.

This can cause:

weight gain

insulin resistance

cravings

irritability

fatigue

and anxiety.

When we don’t eat regular meals we put additional stress on our body and when we're stressed our body dumps glucose into the bloodstream so we have the energy to deal with the stress.  After a few hours, our glucose levels plummet, triggering cravings and an unstoppable appetite.

There is a way to stop this cycle:

It's common for those that can’t stop eating at night to actually need to snack every 2-3 hours, and as your body recovers from this fear of glucose dropping, you can then go a bit longer between snacks and meals.

Also, have a snack at around 3-4pm, that includes carbohydrates, protein, and good fats - an easy option to keep in your desk or handbag is nuts like almonds or walnuts.

This will prevent insatiable binge eating later.

As a Nutritionist, I've worked with so many people who feel powerless around sugar, struggle with cravings and over-eating because of this.

It doesn’t have to be like that. Try my suggestions and see how you are feeling at night. If you fuel during the day you won’t actually feel like binging at night.

Don’t get me wrong, I still love some dark chocolate with a cup of tea at the end of the day, but it’s because I want to have it not because I need to have it.

Let me know how you go.

If you’d like to join my membership group or discuss how you can beat the burn-out and stop the carvings, book an appointment or a your complimentary 30 minute call so that we get your gut feeling good again.

What are Probiotic Foods and Do They Really Benefit Us

Probiotic Foods and the Gut 

You can get the many benefits to fermentation from your diet by eating delicious foods such as yogurt, cultured vegetables, kefir, and miso. As you eat these fermented foods, you’re introducing friendly bacteria, commonly called probiotics into the digestive system of your body.

What they do in foods, they do in your gut – they easily repel the pathogenic bacteria, but not just that, they also help in breaking down nutrients for your body to absorb easily. 

Back to the original question though - What Probiotic foods really are and are these foods beneficial?

The conclusion has always be clear for me and countless studies. Probiotic foods CAN prove to be very beneficial to your body.

These foods are natural and traditional, providing you with the enzymes that your body needs to function properly.

So here are some great probiotic foods, their benefits, that are great for your gut.

1.    Kombucha-This is made by simply fermenting sweetened tea with yeast and blend of bacteria. After the fermentation process, the result is a carbonated drink that has probiotics, enzymes, acids and vitamins. This probiotic food can lessen joint pain, improved immune support and digestion as well as increased energy. This is also a perfect alternative to juice drinks and soda. (just be careful to select one that doesn’t have lots of numbers in the ingredients list).

2.    Kimchi-It is considered as a staple food in Korea. It is pickled cabbage with a small amount of spice. Just like the fermentation of Kombucha, the health properties of kimchi are almost the same.

3.    Miso-It is a Japanese seasoning that is made from fermented barley, rice or soybeans. This probiotic food is considered as the main ingredient in cooking miso soup. The best thing about this probiotic food is that it offers many health benefits. It can regulate your digestive system and at the same time lowers the risk of cancer and heart disease. 

4.    Yogurt-This is considered as the most popular probiotic food. It is a fermented dairy product with lactic acid and milk. This creamy and smooth treat is loaded with beneficial bacteria. It is highly recommended for those people who are suffering from yeast infection and for those who are taking antibiotics.

5.    Kefir-It is a fermented dairy product that is also known as heavy hitter. It is a drinkable yogurt with tart flavor. It is fully packed of essential nutrients such as magnesium, folate, calcium, vitamin B12 and probiotics.

6.    Tempeh-It is made from soybeans which has a cake-like evenness when it is bound together with a fungus. It is a well-known meat substitute for vegan people. It is packed with minerals, vitamins and proteins.

7.    Sourdough Bread- It is made from a starter that contains lactobacillus and yeast. Since the ingredients are carefully fermented, the level of healthy bacteria increase and your digestive tract enjoys its benefits. 

8.    Sauerkraut -Is finely cut raw cabbage that has been fermented by various lactic acid bacteria. It has a long shelf life and a distinctive sour flavour, both of which result from the lactic acid formed when the bacteria ferment the sugars in the cabbage leaves. It is a high source of Vitamin C & K, calcium, magnesium, fibre, iron and is low in calories.  It is a known probiotic which aids digestion

Though some people are still doubtful whether probiotic foods are good for their health, I have seen with many clients the benefits of a balanced microbiome (good & bad bacteria) has made on weight loss, bloating, gas, bowel movements, brain function, energy and many more.  

When our gut is in a healthier state, your body can then work through all the processes it needs too. 

So if you haven’t tried any probiotic foods before maybe now it time.

If your not sure about how to get started or you’d like to discuss your health further, book an appointment or a your complimentary 30 minute call so that we get your gut feeling good again.