Healthy Mummy tricks to stop sugar cravings instantly – and the snacks to avoid at all costs 

If you find yourself overeating before bedtime, there are simple things you can do to help you put an end to food cravings. 

Australian weight loss program The Healthy Mummy has shared the rituals to follow and certain foods to eat to curb your nightly hunger pangs.

‘It can take at least 28 days to break a habit so do this every day for 21 days and the need to munch at night will be gone,’ the health experts said.

Eating enough protein, vegetables and wholegrains at dinner can help you stay fuller for longer – but if you had a light meal, have a small fruit salad with low fat yoghurt after. 

Greek Yoghurt is a great option as it has been shown to decrease hunger effectively.

Another trick to stop the pesky cravings instantly is by brushing your teeth shortly after having dinner. 

‘Remember you ate dinner and your body is full. It is just your mind playing tricks with you – unless you are breastfeeding and then you are probably hungry so have an extra snack,’ they said.

But if you’re feeling peckish, treat yourself to a few frozen grapes or raspberries because that will take a while to get through.

‘Make sure you do not have any junk food in the house so that you have no temptation,’ they said.

Sydney nutritionist Susie Burrell (pictured) previously shared the drinks and foods you can consume for a good night’s sleep, including bananas, milk, nuts and herbal tea

Drinking a hot cup of tea or iced water with lemons can also help keep beat the cravings.

Besides foods and drinks, there are other things to do to keep your mind off eating like reading or doing some floor exercises such as leg raises, core work or mini push ups.

Sydney nutritionist Susie Burrell previously shared the drinks and foods you can consume for a good night’s sleep, including bananas, milk, nuts and herbal tea.

She said one of the main reasons bananas are good to eat before bedtime is because they contain rich nutrients.

‘Bananas are especially rich in the nutrients potassium and magnesium, nutrients which are directly involved in muscle relaxation,’ Susie said.

Susie said a warm cup of milk was ‘not just an old wives tale’ as it contains a ‘rich source of the amino acid tryptophan’ which is involved in the production of serotonin in the body.

‘Serotonin is the neurotransmitter that naturally calms the body and helps to naturally induce sleep,’ she said.

She said herbal tea such as chamomile is known for its many health benefits including improved sleep quality.