Even if you choose only healthy foods, if you eat too much and do not respect the 3 meals a day rule chances are that you will still put on too much weight. The first advice most nutritionists would give you is to have a big breakfast within an hour after you wake up. Then eat small portions throughout the day. In this way sugar levels in your blood will remain constant and you will also not feel the need to eat too much at night.
In order to cut your appetite permanently at dinner, prepare a balanced meal for the evening. The highest proportion on the plate should be represented by vegetables, a quarter by protein and the rest should ideally be carbohydrates. With this combination of food your dinner will be healthier and you will feel fuller in the end, avoiding the danger of nighttime snacks.
If you still want to get a snack after dinner every night at least make sure you prepare it in advance. Plan to eat something healthy, because it will be easier to resist the temptation of eating unhealthy food later on in the evening. Seasonal fruits, sliced meats or whole wheat toast are all good snack options.
Sometimes your stomach urges you to open your refrigerator at inconvenient times, but this sensation can be stopped with a cold or hot drink. Herbal tea, decaffeinated coffee or even a glass of water can be enough to curb your appetite at night. If you want to sweeten your favorite drink limit yourself to a little honey or artificial sweeteners.
If you brush your teeth immediately after eating the last meal of the day, the nocturnal temptations of your refrigerator become less attractive.
Many people simply eat out of boredom, especially when they spend the last hours of the day watching TV. Quitting these passive activities will always help suppress unwanted cravings. What you could do instead is find something that keeps your hands busy. For example, a video games console will require you to move and you will pretty much forget about eating. Another useful suggestion would be to try some exercises before bed, which will also make you forget about your appetite and make you feel healthier.