At last, the kids are tucked in for the night, and I’m snuggled into my favorite spot on the couch. The house is blissfully silent—except for the gentle snores of my dog, who has claimed my feet as his resting place. On my left, the remote is finally back in my hands (at least for a few hours). And on my right? An open box of Girl Scout cookies, a crumpled Kit-Kat wrapper, and the remnants of a deliciously salty pecorino cheese that I just polished off.
Don’t judge me. It’s late, and I’m utterly wiped out. Life can be downright overwhelming.
I kick off my mornings with the best intentions: a simple breakfast of toast and a banana, a healthy salad for lunch, and maybe some soup with a biscuit (or three) for dinner. But once the kids are in bed, all bets are off. That’s when I dive into the “good stuff” like frozen Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, French fries slathered in ice cream, endless bowls of Frosted Flakes, and a feast of salty cheese with buttery crackers.
Sure, I know I might be derailing my fitness aspirations, but I stay active and eat relatively healthily most days. I manage to squeeze in my fruits and veggies, and if I want to devour a sleeve of Tagalongs or munch on fistfuls of Cheetos after a long day, so be it. I’m an adult, and if I’ve got a block of sharp cheddar cheese, I’ll happily dig in.
Once upon a time, someone (probably Oprah, right?) claimed we shouldn’t eat after 7 PM, and suddenly every late-night snacker was met with judgmental glares. Now, don’t get me wrong, I adore Oprah as much as I love a warm apple dumpling with a scoop of ice cream, but I’m calling nonsense on the no-nighttime-snacking rule. Because…let’s face it.
Parenting is tough, folks. The days drag on, and sometimes the thought of indulging after 9 PM is the only thing keeping us going. We can kick off our bras, prop up our feet, and dive into a tub of Entenmann’s or devour a tin of Pringles without the prying little hands of our children trying to snag a piece. Because nothing ruins the joy of a Godiva chocolate like a curious 5-year-old giving you the side-eye when you refuse to share.
And hey, even fitness guru Jillian Michaels—who knows a thing or two about life—said it’s perfectly fine to snack after dark. She understands that this is the one time of day when we can enjoy a Snickers bar or a slice of cheesecake without having to sneak away to the bathroom to indulge.
Being an adult has its share of downsides, but one of the few perks is the freedom to enjoy ice cream in bed after a long day. Late-night snacking is like a quick fix for a weary, wrinkled soul. It smooths out the rough edges so we can keep our sanity. Some folks deal with stress through yoga, meditation, or long walks; others prefer to indulge in carbs while venting to their best friends. You do you; I’ll stick to my snacks.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, there’s a hidden stash of M&M’s in the freezer that’s calling my name.
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In summary, once the kids are asleep, it’s time to indulge in the treats that bring us joy. Whether it’s a bowl of cereal or a delicious dessert, we’ve earned it after a long day of parenting.