Distraction/treat in the evening that’s not sweets/food.

[HeavensWhatASnappyCharriot]

I want to try stopping eating earlier in the evening… but I’m finding it really hard.

DH is away for months with work and I’ve fallen into the routine of having biscuits or chocolate or something sweet once the children go to bed at 9pm.

I know it’s not good for me, and I want to stop but omg it’s just so tempting! So I need ideas. How can I still get that ‘time to myself’ feeling, treat/relax that doesn’t involve sugar and calories?

A favourite sitcom, a cup of tea, a movie, a good book, a bath.

Jigsaw puzzle

Knitting!

I have two cups of mint tea - and I do let myself have a square of not ultra processed dark chocolate. Maybe 2. Scratches the sweet itch, but isn’t excessive. The mint tea also seems to signal that eating is over.

A fruit tea maybe?

PlayStation

I love watermelon at the moment.
Strawberries, blueberries, chopped apple.
Berries are nice with a bit of yoghurt. Can get frozen packs which are cheaper.
A bit of sweetness without refined sugar.

I know you said no calories but I’ve recently been having golden milk/turmeric latte. The only calories are the milk (of any kind) and sometimes a small knob of coconut oil depending on your recipe.
It’s nice for winding down and feels like a treat

Do you want to stop eating entirely, or could you just change what you have? A couple of (small) spoonfuls of posh sorbet can feel very 'treaty' but has relatively few calories/sugar (compared to biscuits or chocolate). Or fresh fruit (something slightly special like pomegranate seeds or whatever feels more of a treat than an apple!)?

Once you're finished eating, brush your teeth. Snacks won't taste nice after brushing your teeth. And buy things that your kids like, but you don't.

I've got a colouring in book (one of the mindful/intricate ones rather than chunky kids ones 😂) that I can spend ages doing without snacking.

Do you have any interest in painting your nail/face masks /other pamper treats like that? My worst nightmare but I wouldn't risk ruining new nail polish with biscuits crumbs.

Give yourself a hand massage with aromatherapy oils or nice smelling hand cream. Appealing scents work in the same way as nice tastes

I love this idea but I’d need to learn. I’m also left handed which would make things tricky I think. Great project to learn though, will look into it thanks.

So mint tea sounds like it would go really well with the chocolate. I’m trying to decrease sugar but maybe a tiny bit of good chocolate is allowable!? Which chocolate do you go for?

So mint tea sounds like it would go really well with the chocolate. I’m trying to decrease sugar but maybe a tiny bit of good chocolate is allowable!? Which chocolate do you go for?

This sounds interesting, not heard of that thank you, will have a look

Sims4!

Posh sorbet sounds amazing! Will have a look to see if can add to weekly shop. Is there one you would recommend?

Agree with hobby you’ll enjoy. I’ve just started improving my drawing skills and am addicted! It’s very therapeutic. The problem it’s too fun and eating into my sleep time

Former choccy addict here - literally anything you fancy - as soon as you get through the first 24 hours of sugar craving it's much easier. I'm not advocating going permanently chocolate free! Once youve broken your habit you can introduce something slightly healthier like dark choc, and still have the biccies etc when you choose.

I love camomile tea and have a dedicated enormous mug only for my evening tea. In my evenings over the years ive done home workouts or art projects. And periodically ditched it all and gone back to the milk choc binges.

Be kind to yourself.

I like the M&S ones though I’m sure someone on mumsnet can suggest something even posher!

I also second the suggestion to find a hobby that you keeps your hands busy while you watch TV. Crochet, knitting, colouring books, model making, doing your own nails. Anything that stops you fidgeting with snacks, basically. (I crochet. Keeps my hands busy and I don’t like getting crumbs on my projects so not compatible with biscuits 😂)

Aldi do a nice dark chocolate in individually wrapped portions.

Video games. They're super distracting.

Crochet, easy to learn from YouTube videos, I'm left handed and found Bella Coco easy to follow

Embroidery. You can’t sew and eat at the same time

Knitting helped me stop drinking. To be clear, I wasn’t an alcoholic, I’m not suggesting knitting helps with an actual addiction! I just had a glass out of habit - knitting gave me something to do with my hands.