What is your best advice for avoiding unhealthy tempting foods?

MNgal43

DH and DS like to eat junk! There is always that in the house. It's tempting. Trying not to want it. What's your best advice for avoiding it? What kind of snacks do you like that help you between meals? TIA.

Iron_Feline

Instead of avoiding it completely, try to learn to eat it in moderation as part of your daily calorie balance. This way you learn better habits for life without depriving yourself, which can lead to binges.

No food is junk. There are just some foods that have more nutritional value, but all should be ok in moderation in a healthy balanced diet.

Unless you are never going to eat it ever again. Ever?

healthygreek

Try to portion out your treats to stay within your calorie goal.
I'm not a snacker because I like to eat larger meals, but I've heard that it's better to eat a carb with a protein/fat snack such as peanut butter with Apple slices or some cheese and crackers or some turkey or chicken or other protein with a carb.
Nuts are a filing snack with some plain greek yogurt.
Some hummus and carrots are good also.

Iron_Feline

Oh snacks.

Today I am having a snack cheese, high protein yogurt and a Bakewell tart (small cake).

Some days I have carrots sticks, some days chips. It depends on my calories for the day and what else I'm eating.

Liftng4Lis

I always make room in my allotment for a treat, therefore, I'm not avoiding anything.

Unknown

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TavistockToad

Iron_Feline wrote: »

Instead of avoiding it completely, try to learn to eat it in moderation as part of your daily calorie balance. This way you learn better habits for life without depriving yourself, which can lead to binges.

No food is junk. There are just some foods that have more nutritional value, but all should be ok in moderation in a healthy balanced diet.

Unless you are never going to eat it ever again. Ever?

all of this!

jacksonpt

By remembering that my long term goals are more important to me than the short term satisfaction of the food. It doesn't always work, but it's the only thing I've been able to come up with.

HappyQuella

Just eat a little of it. One serving. Just so you can satisfy the urge and take the edge off. If I completely cut out 'junk' foods, I would be a hot *kitten*, binging mess! The cold turkey method isn't sustainable for the majority of people. Most importantly, just monitor how the calories fit into your calorie allowance, and make sure you're getting good nutrition throughout the day! Enjoy yourself.

Sued0nim

I eat it if I really want to

and over time I develop in my head the thought process that yes I can have it but that actually means I won't be able to eat xx later so which do I want more

if it's the big fat brownie then I eat it, if it's the huge stew and rice with salad then I eat that

swings and roundabouts - portion sizes and satiety

Jolinia

Tell them under no circumstances to give you any and preferably to store it out of sight. This helps because you know you'll feel like a fool if you have to go begging them for it or hunting through the house for it on the sly.

amyj514

I always have a snack planned for after dinner (that's the time I tend to go off track). I decide early in the day what I am hungry for and it works me up for it so I look forward to it. Then when I get tempted I remind myself that I need to save those calories for my snack later or I won't be able to have it and will be disappointed and it makes the call of potato chips and chocolate cake a little less intense (my husband's go-to snacks, always in the cupboard haunting me). I like to eat popcorn, smoothies, a 'naughty banana' as I call it (banana sliced up with whipped cream and possibly caramel and nuts or sprinkles, etc, like a sundae. Sometimes I freeze the slices first), a sliced apple with cinnamon sugar, sometimes something sweet if I baked, etc. The biggest thing is to have it be planned ahead!

AmazonMayan

I make sure I fill up on the more nutritious foods first with a good, big chunk of protein and some fats, then I am much less likely to go overboard with the little treats. I'm having some pretty good success with that little trick keeping it to one portion, or, sometimes half portion if that is all my remaining calories allow. I take tiny bites and savor instead of shoveling in handful after handful while barely catching a breath lol. (yes that was me)

If you could see the size of the jar of candies my daughter received for valentines...whew! Her boyfriend was kind enough (without anyone asking him) to keep the bags from the various candies so that I could see proper portion and calorie sizes! It's such a large amount of candy he knows everyone will be eating it lol. I think he might be a keeper for her.

rungirl1973

OK, I agree with the others who said that no food should be off limits.

However, personally I can't have chips, candy, cookies, ice cream, cake, etc in the house or I will binge. I've talked to my husband about it. He supports me in this. If he has a craving for something specific, that's OK. He can get a bag of chips or a package of cookies and store it somewhere out of sight and I don't know where to find it. When I have a craving for one of these types of foods, I have to go and get it in a single serving size. If it means going out for it, 9 times out of 10, I'll just hold off until the next time I'm at the store.

My son that still lives with me is 20. If he wants these types of foods, he keeps them in his room. When my kids were younger, we would have these things as an occasional treat, they weren't always in the house. I'm the mother, I'm in charge (I was a single mother until last year).

rybo

Some people can't moderate. Some have to keep it out of the house or at least out of sight. Having a big supply of acceptable alternatives is important so that you always have something to turn to.

MrCoolGrim

I eat whatever I want when ever i want as long as I don't exceed my calories for the day. This way I don't become the alien in the house neither

sarahlifts

Though I make allotments for these treats, I buy them in singles, daily or ONLY CARRY ONE WITH ME.

Bc if I have more than one in my possesion there is a chance I may eat a whole box of fiber one cookies. I know a lil stress will cause me to eat a whole box of whatever it is I've allowed into my diet that I love.

Over eating got me obese, I still have to control that urge to eat all the cake and cookies. I have to say Sarah Why do you want to eat another? Bc your coworkers stress you out? bc life knocks you down? How are you going to feel after you eat that whole box of cookies? Worse? Don't do it. Get up , walk away, Call someone talk it out.


Though eating a whole cake may seem like the answer to all lifes problems.....surely it is not. We all struggle. Practice portion control. You can do it. So many of us have. don't deny yourself what you like. Just make it fit.

sarahlifts

rungirl1973 wrote: »

OK, I agree with the others who said that no food should be off limits.

However, personally I can't have chips, candy, cookies, ice cream, cake, etc in the house or I will binge. ).

I'm glad I'm not the only one bc....people make it seem like it is so easy to end a habit most likely wrought out of seeking comfort through food. Glad you have the support of ur hubby. Mine falls in line too!

beachlover83

I don't keep it in the house, which helps make it not as tempting. If I do splurge, I work it into my calories and try to keep it in moderation.

SergeantSausage

Best advice: Eat whatever you want. There are no "unhealthy foods" for weight loss purposes. Eat all the "junk" you want, as long as you stay under your calorie quota.

CrabNebula

Iron_Feline wrote: »

Instead of avoiding it completely, try to learn to eat it in moderation as part of your daily calorie balance. This way you learn better habits for life without depriving yourself, which can lead to binges.

No food is junk. There are just some foods that have more nutritional value, but all should be ok in moderation in a healthy balanced diet.

Unless you are never going to eat it ever again. Ever?

Bingo

SarcasmIsMyLoveLanguage

My advice is to practice portion control. Don't eliminate entirely or you may be prone to binge. Cut down on the quantity of junk in your house until you figure out how to control yourself around it. What junk you do keep in the house, portion it out and when you want a treat, grab ONE portion and move on.

neaneacc

Truthfully, I have some of the same issues. I often find that I buy things I know that I don't care as much for to make it less attractive for me. If you are trying to keep your will power high to avoid these foods make sure that you are eating every 3 hours to avoid crashing, which makes these foods really tempting. Also make sure you get enough water. It may sound silly but the body uses the same signal for thirst as it does for hunger.

cherys

MNgal, I have the same problem. My 6'2 husband and growing teenage boys love junk and always have a supply of it. While I'd prefer them not to, it's a battle I'm no longer fighting with my husband. So I just get them snacks they love which I don't. Much easier to resist if you know its full of empty calories and doesn't taste that great either. I hate Oreos and flavoured crisps so I buy those for them.

Also, have a drink - tea, herbal tea or water, or a diet soda.

I try and keep a list of small non food treats in my mind, like painting my nails, face mask, watching silly stuff or music I love on you tube, a candlelit bath or a great novel. That way you can reach for a non food treat when you want something that makes you feel good.

thatpixichick

I used to love fries and cheese. Now I have baby potatoes boiled and crisped up slightly under the grill, and weigh out 20g of cheese to sprinkle on top. Finding lower calorie, healthier versions that are just as tasty or portioning "junk" into small treats is far more beneficial for long term success and happiness

NicoleS9

MNgal43 wrote: »

DH and DS like to eat junk! There is always that in the house. It's tempting. Trying not to want it. What's your best advice for avoiding it? What kind of snacks do you like that help you between meals? TIA.

Would you be willing to throw it all away, not buy it, and not keep it in the house?
The best advice I was given was distraction and change your habits. If you snack in front of the tv at night, brush your teeth, get into bed for the night, and watch a show from there. If you're tempted to snack, go take a shower, or do laundry or clean a toilet!! Try playing a game with your family to focus on an activity.
Some of the suggestions to have healthy snacks on hand are helpful for me. I like apples. I like to blend up bananas with pineapple for a smoothie.

rybo

SergeantSausage wrote: »

Best advice: Eat whatever you want. There are no "unhealthy foods" for weight loss purposes. Eat all the "junk" you want, as long as you stay under your calorie quota.

This is the worst advice. Not everyone can just eat some and fit it into their calories. You see that time and again on these forums. Should a person try that route first. Yes, but if they can't sustain that then other strategies such as eliminating it have to come into play.

lizzocat

If I have other snacks available or other food to substitute, I'm able to avoid the tempting foods. Today we had pizza at work and I pre-planned lunch and snacks so I wouldn't be tempted.

segacs

Seriously, it really does come down to that. I used to think I couldn't just eat one cookie without eating the whole bag. Then I started practicing willpower. I'd walk past the basket of chocolates at work without grabbing one. I tried to eat two cookies at a time and then put the rest back.

I faltered somewhat, but the more I did it, the easier it got.

If you'd asked me six months ago, I would've sworn up and down that I could NEVER be the type of person who could unwrap a chocolate bar, eat one square, and put the rest back. I would've told you it was impossible, that my brain wasn't wired that way, that I could never see myself succeeding like that.

Guess what? That's me, now. I did it. I'm still doing it.

I bought a candy bar at the start of my weight loss journey. At first, I didn't eat it because I never had enough calories that I wanted to waste on it, and because I wanted to devote my calories to better quality sweets. But now it's sort of become my symbolic candy bar. It's sitting untouched in my pantry and, thanks to willpower (and preservatives) I expect it will still be there when I reach my goal weight. At which point I'll either treat myself to it, or maybe throw it out.

Need2Exerc1se

I actually found it easier to limit junk when my kids were little. I didn't let them gorge on it, so I felt guilty if I did. Sometimes I would after they were in bed, but generally guilt kept me in check.

girlviernes

I would advise against making your DH and DS keep the foods away from you. You don't want to set up a dynamic where other people are your food police. It IS reasonable to decide as a family to keep snacks and treats out of immediate sight, so that when you decide to have them it's purposeful. You may find you like to have a small treat every day, or you may prefer to have them less often. Just fit your preference into your goals for the day. Fill up with a good balance of carbs, fat, and protein, ideally, you'll have healthy carbs (veggies, fruits, whole grains), healthy fats (olive oil, coconut oil, whole fat dairy), and health protein (tofu, beans, legumes, baked/grilled/smoked/sauteed meats) at most meals.

You can do this!