Hunger pangs at night? Should I start using casein?

[smackinder]

So...I've been waking up in the middle of the night a few times a week STARVING. I have been logging my calories on Myplate for eight consecutive months, and I've been sure to hit anywhere from 2250 (cardio days) and 2050 and non cardio days. I am about 5'2, female, and nineteen, so I think I'm on good track with the calories. I weight train 5 days a week and do cardio 5 days a week as well. I also have a pretty physical job (grocery store stocker). I am hypoglycemic, but usually, I don't have "episodes" when I keep my diet clean. I've been averaging about 49-51% carbs, roughly 20% fat, and 30-32% protein, depending on the day.

Meal 1: Oats, Bagel thin, Fat Free Cream Cheese, 1 egg and an apple
Meal 2: Clif bar
Meal 3: (Post workout) Whey shake and some fruit
Meal 4: Pb sandwich on wheat bread, soynuts, low carb tortilla with fat free cheddar cheese
Meal 5: turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread, crackers, cream cheese, 5 egg whites
Meal 6: quinoa flakes, low fat string cheese
Meal 7: Grilled Chicken Breast, Hummus, Tortilla, Bulgur wheat, garbanzo beans, bell peppers (Chicken Kabobs)

So my question is... should I be eating even more? I've been maintaining at this rate for a while. Should I try casein before bed? Change the macros?

[psychodiver9]

Try eating bigger meals less frequently balso save calories to eat later in the day

[vitornoob]

why do you eat 7x?

[TeamIronClad]

I have the same problem sometimes at night. There is always a shake in the fridge that I thrown down when I get up to use the restroom at night. However, some night the pains are bad I grabs some food instead.

[WonderPug]

A big part of the problem is likely that you're eating tiny meals, each containing about as many calories as a glass of fruit juice. Try eating fewer meals per day, perhaps 2 or 3 meal per day in total, as that can decreases appetite. Also, your dietary fat intake is likely too low. Lastly, you may want to drop the protein shake and eat solid food in its place, as that might offer greater satiety.

[ironwill2008]

So...I've been waking up in the middle of the night a few times a week STARVING. I have been logging my calories on Myplate for eight consecutive months, and I've been sure to hit anywhere from 2250 (cardio days) and 2050 and non cardio days. I am about 5'2, female, and nineteen, so I think I'm on good track with the calories. I weight train 5 days a week and do cardio 5 days a week as well. I also have a pretty physical job (grocery store stocker). I am hypoglycemic, but usually, I don't have "episodes" when I keep my diet clean. I've been averaging about 49-51% carbs, roughly 20% fat, and 30-32% protein, depending on the day.

Meal 1: Oats, Bagel thin, Fat Free Cream Cheese, 1 egg and an apple
Meal 2: Clif bar
Meal 3: (Post workout) Whey shake and some fruit
Meal 4: Pb sandwich on wheat bread, soynuts, low carb tortilla with fat free cheddar cheese
Meal 5: turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread, crackers, cream cheese, 5 egg whites
Meal 6: quinoa flakes, low fat string cheese
Meal 7: Grilled Chicken Breast, Hummus, Tortilla, Bulgur wheat, garbanzo beans, bell peppers (Chicken Kabobs)

So my question is... should I be eating even more? I've been maintaining at this rate for a while. Should I try casein before bed? Change the macros?

A steak sandwich before bed will solve your problem. (srs)

[smackinder]

A steak sandwich before bed will solve your problem. (srs)

All good advice, thank you.

2-3 meals daily? I thought you were supposed to break it up? Ok, I guess combining probably 2-3 of the meals together could help. Would you recommend more fat in the afternoon to slow down the digestion process?

[WonderPug]

^ I suggest you read the stickies as you seem to doing odd and rather illogical things in regard to eating.

[ironwill2008]

Would you recommend more fat in the afternoon to slow down the digestion process?

Not necessarily; rather than trying to 'time' macro intake, I'd recommend eating bulky foods that won't put you over your calorie total for the day, such as raw veggies. You'll feel fuller longer with little/no calorie penalty, plus you'll get the benefit of all the micronutrients in the veg. It's win-win.

I suspect you're the victim of misinformation. Bad nutritional advice is everywhere, both in the lay media, as well as on many bodybuilding sites.

^ I suggest you read the stickies as you seem to doing odd and rather illogical things in regard to eating.

^^^^This.

Your best next move will be to start gathering correct information from the stickies at the top of this forum.

[jibzz]

used to get this. Cut down the meal frequency. Drink green tea or coffee during the day. Eat larger meals in the evening

[Reloadguy]

I'd get rid of the cardio, you're pretty active already. And echoing what everyone else has said, eat bigger less frequent meals with the last being close to bed time.

[Thomas6241]

A steak sandwich ??!! I was going to say cottage cheese or some fruit. Now I am hungry for steak! haha

[ironwill2008]

A steak sandwich ??!! I was going to say cottage cheese or some fruit. Now I am hungry for steak! haha

For bodybuilders, red meat is hard to beat, IMO.

[coconuttree2009]

I have more than half of my daily calories when I get home from work and gym - 7.30pm - 11.30pm and I am absolutely stuffed by the time I go to bed and never felt any issues with hunger during the night.

[juliacheh]

You might be undereating for your acitivty levels.
I have a desk job, do some incidental walking, no formal cardio, weight lifting 4 times a week and my maintenance is around 2300-2400 calories.