How to reduce/avoid movie theater snacking?

jessicagreen1828

Does anyone have a tactic for avoiding overeating at the movie theater? What's the craziest thing you've snuck into the movies? I was thinking an apple bulging out of my pocket would be kinda suspicious!

pinuplove

That's where a big purse comes in handy I find it easiest to just not have anything at all. I'm there to watch a movie, and mindless munching really doesn't add to the experience. But I love movie theater popcorn so much!

VintageFeline

I usually just get a small popcorn. Otherwise nothing, I'm not fussed on eating my way through a film and I feel self conscious if I'm crunching away during a quiet scene.

aflane

If you want to bring an apple and avoid the overpriced snack stand, cut the apple into wedges and store it in a ziploc baggie. It should fit nicely in your pocket (without getting all linty).

jemhh

You can take my daughter with you. Every time you reach for the popcorn she will hug the tub and hiss DON'T EAT ALL OF IT!

In all seriousness, I only rarely go to the movies (1-2 times a year.) I usually calorie budget for either a small popcorn or Sour Patch Kids.

Kimo159

I've gone to the theater and not had anything...though that movie theater popcorn smell makes it hard to deny a bag. Take a healthy snack if you want, if they don't serve it they can't really deny it. You could always tell them you have a restricted diet and none of the things they serve work for you. Usually theaters don't care...they care when you sneak in outside candy and stuff that they could otherwise sell you. Orrrr, just take a purse and put snacks in it. When I'm cutting I usually hit the theater with a protein bar in my pocket and eat that if I want something.

CafeRacer808

Personally, I find popcorn to be very filling. Even a small unbuttered popcorn is enough to keep me full for a couple of hours.

graysmom2005

I bring a bag of jello bites. Haha. I'll get a large Coke Zero as my splurge.

TR0berts

Small or Kiddie popcorn and a water or diet soda.

Craziest thing snuck in? Hard to say, as you don't really "sneak" stuff into Rocky Horror. So maybe a burger from one of the local fast food places?

jessicagreen1828

Yes, I love the popcorn too! It's just not knowing the calorie content, makes me nervous to get it. Plus it has more oil/butter/salt than I would normally add if I made it on the stovetop at home. Eating during a movie at home is not a challenge for me, it's the association of going to an actual movie (and wanting snacks) that gives me trouble!

TeaBea

smoothswimgirl wrote: »

Does anyone have a tactic for avoiding overeating at the movie theater? What's the craziest thing you've snuck into the movies? I was thinking an apple bulging out of my pocket would be kinda suspicious!

I just bring a (small) box of Cracker Jack, but I could see bringing a bigger purse and a 100 calorie bag of Pop Secret. Veggies (I like them).....but they're just not theater food.

sammyliftsandeats

Bring a Ziploc bag of your own popcorn from home. That way, you know what went in it. Carry it in a bigger purse.

Once you eat that, it's all gone and don't get anymore.

__TMac__

I used to get candy, but now I just get a big diet soda. If I think I'll want more than that, I put a measured baggie of nuts in my pocket.

But I recognize that it's pretty easy for me because I don't like movie popcorn and don't have an insistent sweet tooth. My husband struggles with it, so he saves some calories up the week before.

L1zardQueen

TR0berts wrote: »

Small or Kiddie popcorn and a water or diet soda.

Craziest thing snuck in? Hard to say, as you don't really "sneak" stuff into Rocky Horror. So maybe a burger from one of the local fast food places?

Lol! Don't get me started on the "Rocky Horror Picture Show"! It was a free-for-all!

Afura

I've taken in baby carrots before. I'd also go with cucumber slices and the like or I try and get meal in so I'm not tempted. For the drink craving you could always take a bottle of water (or water with flavoring) to curb that too. I usually take a hoodie jacket and put the snacks in the pockets (I'm not much of a purse wearer)

sarraheclark

A ziploc baggie whit SkinnyPop

jessicagreen1828

Jello bites?! Never heard of that. Sounds messy? What is the actual brand/product name? Yes kid size popcorn, never thought of that either! Thank you guys! These are great ideas. Also like the purse and pre-slicing apples idea. Not real sure about a hamburger! Haha

kgirlhart

When I was in college we used to sneak beer in. But for the most part I either save calories for a snack or I just don't eat at the theatre.

Lounmoun

smoothswimgirl wrote: »

Does anyone have a tactic for avoiding overeating at the movie theater? What's the craziest thing you've snuck into the movies? I was thinking an apple bulging out of my pocket would be kinda suspicious!

I went to theater and did not buy any snacks. I just chewed a piece of mint gum during the movie and got dinner afterwards. I thought it would be difficult because I love popcorn and would smell it all around me but it was not. I was involved in watching the movie and did not miss it.
I still sometimes get a small popcorn at the theater but I guess I learned that I don't have to have it to enjoy my movie experience.

jessicagreen1828

Afura wrote: »

I've taken in baby carrots before. I'd also go with cucumber slices and the like or I try and get meal in so I'm not tempted. For the drink craving you could always take a bottle of water (or water with flavoring) to curb that too. I usually take a hoodie jacket and put the snacks in the pockets (I'm not much of a purse wearer)

Nice! I love cucumbers and carrots.

shaunte92

I sneak in everything to the movies. Subway, pizza... snacks. Whatever I'm in the mood for lol. I've literally never seen the no outside rule enforced.

I'f i'm trying to watch calories I just plan for it and I'll count it as a meal. Usually i'll buy a hot dog, sneak in some chocolate, and maybe some cookies or fruit snacks depending on my mood. Usually ends up being a 800ish calorie meal which is better than overdosing on buttery popcorn.

Movies and snacking just go hand in hand.

ritzvin

smoothswimgirl wrote: »

Does anyone have a tactic for avoiding overeating at the movie theater? What's the craziest thing you've snuck into the movies? I was thinking an apple bulging out of my pocket would be kinda suspicious!

hmm..
[1] Remind yourself that there are no intermissions anymore.. salty popcorn means you need a (big) drink, a drink means you'll have to pee during the movie.
[2] Look at the prices.

I've snuck in fruit snacks, clif bar if I didn't have time to eat beforehand. I very rarely go to a movie though.

Rhody_Hoosier

The nacho cheese that comes with the nachos. it's so gross...but tastes soooo good. I'm taking my son to see the Lego Batman Movie tonight and I have been plotting all day about how to NOT EAT THE NACHOS!!!!

zdyb23456

I can't resist. I get a bucket of popcorn and a large diet soda. Thankfully, I only go to the theater a few times a year.

andrea4736

Since I don't go all the time and knew in advance I was going, I tracked it at the beginning of the week. Adjusted my daily calories accordingly and fit in a popcorn no problem. I ended up not even eating as much as I had tracked.

malibu927

I just eat beforehand so I don't feel the need to get anything but a water or diet soda

SuzySunshine99

I usually have some hard candy, like Jolly Ranchers, in my purse. Satisfies the need for a little candy without breaking the calorie budget.

CTcutie

I can eat a meal before, of course, but it won't stop the delicious scent of wafting buttery popcorn vapors from my nostrils!! Nose plug, lol?! Now I want to go to the movies SOO bad :-)

JuneyJo

A big purse is key! Lol! I sneak in some candy if my kids are with me because they always want some and $5 for a little box of sour patch kids just isn't happening. I do get the popcorn and a diet soda (unless I sneak in a bottle of water). I don't add butter or salt to the popcorn because it's flavored enough. It's not healthy, but I budget for it, so to speak, and I enjoy the heck out of that treat.

MissTattoo

buy your tickets online and leave your wallet behind.

jessicagreen1828

Kgirlhart, a beer at the movies would be awesome. Bottle or can? As soon as you open that can, and hear the fizz everyone within 3 feet knows you have contraband!