How do people curb their snacking
melissac278
Posts: 12 Member
Ok so the biggest problem I have atm is snacking. I really try not to snack too much by having wholesome meals but I’m at home with my four month old and I get bored. Now I’ve started going for walks to curb the snacking but yet again walking makes my hungry so I want to eat when I get back. Anyone have good low cal snack ideas?
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Replies
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You have to decide if you want to snack less or not, and then do whatever you have decided. It's difficult for others to know if you want to reduce snacking, or eat other kinds of snacks. A hot tip: There's a reason why the internet and bookstores are so abundant with low cal snack ideas, and you still have to ask for good ones: The taste and mouthfeel of a food is almost proportional to its calorie density. So if you want good stuff, and keep your weight down, you have to control your intake. The hunger you feel when you're eating enough and well, is also not hunger, but cravings, and can be tolerated, and must be tolerated if you want to manage your weight.9
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More calories in my actual meals, and making sure those meals are full of foods that make me feel full.6
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It starts with wanting the outcome (weight loss or weight management) more than I want to snack too much and committing myself to seeing that through.
Lower calorie snacks or fewer snacks but for me not the option no snacks at all. (My preference is savoury snacks - there's loads of lower calorie options available, read the labels when you shop as it's easier to make one thoughtful decision then as opposed to having to decide and struggle on a daily basis.)
Knowing myself. I'm more successful as a moderator than as an abstainer. I do better with an irregular deficit, an everyday deficit weakens my resolve. I avoid a large weekly deficit as that does trigger genuine hunger. I like snacking but don't find big meals that appealing or help me to avoid snacking as well as eating those bigger meals - sure sign I'm snacking for pleasure and taste not for actual need.
If struggling with what probably isn't genuine hunger then distract, delay or defer.
Giving it conscious thought rather than acting on impulse. My Inner Chimp wants to snack RIGHT NOW, my Human Brain can apply logic and restraint.6 -
Water consumption and splitting up meals into smaller meals. I purposely have my breakfast broken up into smaller meals so it's just my breakfast, but its eaten 2 hours apart. 1st breakfast, 2nd breakfast, lunch, 2 snacks post lunch, then dinner is my usual day. There is nothing wrong with snacking, just maybe try to plan ahead and work them in so there is no guilt and no over consumption. Water doesn't curb my hunger, personally, but in an event of hunger that I feel is unwarranted, I take a second to ensure I have had enough water so far and start there before deciding if I want to eat something or not.4
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melissac278 wrote: »Ok so the biggest problem I have atm is snacking. I really try not to snack too much by having wholesome meals but I’m at home with my four month old and I get bored. Now I’ve started going for walks to curb the snacking but yet again walking makes my hungry so I want to eat when I get back. Anyone have good low cal snack ideas?
My advice would be to not keep the snack foods that tempt you when you are bored in the house (for a lot of those, you can always grab a single serving from the bodega when out for a walk - so it's not like banning it from your diet, just not having it too conveniently handy). And to find something to keep your hands busy. Having something 0-calorie to sip can often help (water, flavoured water, diet root beer,....). (in reference to the snacking due to boredom...if actual hunger, eat something).2 -
Sometimes chewing gum helps me. I try to keep a couple different flavors of gum on hand. If I get a snack attack, the sweet from the gum helps.5
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If you like snacking then why not eat less at meals so that you have more room for snacks? You could shave 80-100 calories off of lunch to leave room for a string cheese or a yogurt mid-afternoon (or anything else that fits your calorie and macro goals). I like to snack on something in the evening so I go lighter with main meals to accommodate that.3
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here are some of my go to: celery, peanut butter, few raisins; clementine and havartti cheese slice; nuts; hard cooked eggs,2
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melissac278 wrote: »Ok so the biggest problem I have atm is snacking. I really try not to snack too much by having wholesome meals but I’m at home with my four month old and I get bored. Now I’ve started going for walks to curb the snacking but yet again walking makes my hungry so I want to eat when I get back. Anyone have good low cal snack ideas?
1) I plan 2-3 snacks per day. Typically they include hard cooked eggs, yogurt, protein bar, snack size bag of microwave popcorn, raw veggies, snacking cheese like Babybel, etc.
2) I crochet. Keeps the mind off snacking, keeps the hands busy, and I don't want food yuck from my hands to get on my project. I lost 65 lb. the year I made 6 afghans for Christmas gifts.9 -
It is a lot harder when you're at home all day. I remember being home on maternity leave almost 3 years ago. It was great being with my baby but he slept a lot and I was really bored during those times! Try to find things to do. Strap him in a baby carrier and go for walks, go to the park, etc. Go meet up with friends or family. I did crafty type stuff when I was on mat leave (I am so not a crafty person either...) Snacking and sweets is my downfall as well so it helps me to limit my meals and have somewhat set meal times. I'm the type that would just mindlessly graze on stuff all day long.
Tea and coffee are helpful for me too when I want "something"4 -
I try not to snack, I mean sometimes it happens, but stick to close to set meal times as I can. For me, a meal fills me up. Snacking.... very little. I am working on what sated feels like and starting to push away from meals when I feel kinda full. Just my 2 cents4
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Cucumber or Jicama with lemon sprinkled with Tajin seasoning. you can get that crunch. Also a hard boiled egg and a light string cheese can be a quick snack as well. Having a 4 month old is hard. not sleeping makes me more hungry. Just try and eat clean. Hang in there you got this!!1
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I don’t avoid snacking because I personally like eating snacks, so I just make it fit my goals. I measure/weigh things out on a food scale, stick to mainly fruits, vegetables or a protein and make sure my overall calories are still met. Plus I like fun snacks like cereal, protein bars & popcorn so I just make sure to fit in what I enjoy.2
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Often times I just pre-log snacks. Seeing the actual calorie count usually has me looking for a lower calorie alternative.7
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How far are you walking? It isn't an activity that burns enough calories for me that I'd come home hungry, but you could be totally different. I keep baby carrots in the fridge darn near all the time. I snack on them when I'm wanting something crunchy, or when I'm making dinner and I'd like to snack on chips or crackers. My problem is that if I snack while I'm cooking dinner, I'm often eating way too many calories, and those calories are usually mindless because I'm looking at a recipe, paying attention to cooking, talking to my family...1
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melissac278 wrote: »Ok so the biggest problem I have atm is snacking. I really try not to snack too much by having wholesome meals but I’m at home with my four month old and I get bored. Now I’ve started going for walks to curb the snacking but yet again walking makes my hungry so I want to eat when I get back. Anyone have good low cal snack ideas?
My advice would be to not keep the snack foods that tempt you when you are bored in the house (for a lot of those, you can always grab a single serving from the bodega when out for a walk - so it's not like banning it from your diet, just not having it too conveniently handy). And to find something to keep your hands busy. Having something 0-calorie to sip can often help (water, flavoured water, diet root beer,....). (in reference to the snacking due to boredom...if actual hunger, eat something).
This, so much this. ^^^^^
Write yourself a list of your five favorite snacks. Don't keep them in the house. Honestly, this will cure 90% of the snacking. I got obese eating PB&Js. When I first started tracking calories, I figured out that I was eating around 1200 calories a day in PB&Js. No kidding. Grape jelly, white bread and PB with sugar. That was my downfall. Also PB ice cream. I've since gone gluten free and GF bread isn't good. Also, grape jelly with corn syrup was my favorite. I bought low carb jelly. Man that stuff is nasty! Also bought only PB with no sugar. Craving/snacking gone. I just don't buy the stuff. Whether it's chips or milk and cookies or Ice Cream, just don't buy it.
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MikePfirrman wrote: »melissac278 wrote: »Ok so the biggest problem I have atm is snacking. I really try not to snack too much by having wholesome meals but I’m at home with my four month old and I get bored. Now I’ve started going for walks to curb the snacking but yet again walking makes my hungry so I want to eat when I get back. Anyone have good low cal snack ideas?
My advice would be to not keep the snack foods that tempt you when you are bored in the house (for a lot of those, you can always grab a single serving from the bodega when out for a walk - so it's not like banning it from your diet, just not having it too conveniently handy). And to find something to keep your hands busy. Having something 0-calorie to sip can often help (water, flavoured water, diet root beer,....). (in reference to the snacking due to boredom...if actual hunger, eat something).
This, so much this. ^^^^^
Write yourself a list of your five favorite snacks. Don't keep them in the house. Honestly, this will cure 90% of the snacking. I got obese eating PB&Js. When I first started tracking calories, I figured out that I was eating around 1200 calories a day in PB&Js. No kidding. Grape jelly, white bread and PB with sugar. That was my downfall. Also PB ice cream. I've since gone gluten free and GF bread isn't good. Also, grape jelly with corn syrup was my favorite. I bought low carb jelly. Man that stuff is nasty! Also bought only PB with no sugar. Craving/snacking gone. I just don't buy the stuff. Whether it's chips or milk and cookies or Ice Cream, just don't buy it.
Halo top now has a pb swirl. Might be lower cal. I know you are vegetarian. Do you drink milk at all?1 -
Lots of thoughts-maybe your calorie intake is too low? Especially if you are walking a moderate amount, you should account for that! I know when I am starving, raw baby carrots are my GOTO-6 for 35 calories. It fills you up and you don’t need many. The walk is a great idea. Or find a hobby?? Organizing pictures, cleaning, laundry...something to get you over the hump
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this qualifies as a low calories lunch: tortilla pizza FOR LIGHT PIZZA LUNCH
Mission mini corn tortillas
https://www.amazon.com/Mission-Street-Tacos-Tortillas-12-6oz/dp/B06XDXVJR5?SubscriptionId=AKIAJ2F6RDUSIYCWQMFQ&tag=sa-b2c-new-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&
serving size 3 mini tortillas 100 cal , fat 1.5 g, chol, 0mg, carb 19 g
BelGioioso mozarella pearls
https://www.walmart.com/ip/BelGioioso-Fresh-Mozzarella-Pearls-8-Ounce-Ball/14255252
serves 8: 1 serving cal 80, 8 carbs, fat 5 g chol 20 mg this product appealing; but, it spoils fast once open
Great value (walmart) mini pepperoni serving 45 mini pepperoni for three tortillas that 15 on each mini pizza; cal 130, fat 13 g, chol 20 mg, carbs 1 g
Hormel (walmart) mini pepperoni 1 oz. 1/5 of the package: cal, 140, fat 13 grams, carbs 0
chol, 35
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hormel-Pepperoni-Minis-5-oz/13448678
i WANT TO TRY TORTILLAS IN AIR FRYER, TO TOAST, FOR PIZZA CRUST CRUNCH, THEN TOP WITH CHEESE, AND PEPPERONI AND LITTLE MORE CHEESE, CAN ADD TOMATO SAUCE IF WANTING. WARM IN OVEN TO MELT CHEESE
approximate 300 calories for 3 mini pepperoni pizza1 -
psychod787 wrote: »MikePfirrman wrote: »melissac278 wrote: »Ok so the biggest problem I have atm is snacking. I really try not to snack too much by having wholesome meals but I’m at home with my four month old and I get bored. Now I’ve started going for walks to curb the snacking but yet again walking makes my hungry so I want to eat when I get back. Anyone have good low cal snack ideas?
My advice would be to not keep the snack foods that tempt you when you are bored in the house (for a lot of those, you can always grab a single serving from the bodega when out for a walk - so it's not like banning it from your diet, just not having it too conveniently handy). And to find something to keep your hands busy. Having something 0-calorie to sip can often help (water, flavoured water, diet root beer,....). (in reference to the snacking due to boredom...if actual hunger, eat something).
This, so much this. ^^^^^
Write yourself a list of your five favorite snacks. Don't keep them in the house. Honestly, this will cure 90% of the snacking. I got obese eating PB&Js. When I first started tracking calories, I figured out that I was eating around 1200 calories a day in PB&Js. No kidding. Grape jelly, white bread and PB with sugar. That was my downfall. Also PB ice cream. I've since gone gluten free and GF bread isn't good. Also, grape jelly with corn syrup was my favorite. I bought low carb jelly. Man that stuff is nasty! Also bought only PB with no sugar. Craving/snacking gone. I just don't buy the stuff. Whether it's chips or milk and cookies or Ice Cream, just don't buy it.
Halo top now has a pb swirl. Might be lower cal. I know you are vegetarian. Do you drink milk at all?
Thanks. I'm Vegan 3 or 4 days a week (but we do eat meat two days or so a week and maybe eggs the other), very limited dairy. PB with me is like crack. But because my wife can't do cow dairy (unless it's A2/A2 variety she is allergic to it), we don't buy it. Around once a month we might get the new PB variety from Haagen Daz. It's the only non-dairy ice cream worth it.0 -
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melissac278 wrote: »Ok so the biggest problem I have atm is snacking. I really try not to snack too much by having wholesome meals but I’m at home with my four month old and I get bored. Now I’ve started going for walks to curb the snacking but yet again walking makes my hungry so I want to eat when I get back. Anyone have good low cal snack ideas?
Eat bitter or high fat foods. Make full meal. Force yourself to cook. 🧡💕0 -
I too was a boredom eater, I'd get bored and I'd look in the fridge or cupboard for something to eat just to have something to do.
I now substitute another activity instead. It can be anything, exercise, cleaning, doing laundry, going grocery shopping, surfing the net, as long as it does not involve putting calories in my mouth. When I eat it is a sit down mean, cooked served on plates. I simply do not eat standing up any more and only eat at the table.
Even if it is just an apple. I take out a plate, cut the apple in slices and eat it at the table. Not watching TV or YouTube but eat the apple like it is a meal.
It takes longer, fills the boredom gap a little more than standing at the kitchen counter eating cookies and is healthier.
Also I don't drink my calories. In terms of volume it is water ( by a significant margin) perhaps 3 to 4 l a day, coffee/tea a liter a day then skim milk a glass every two or three days, sometimes hot before sleep. Juice is perhaps once a week and sugar fuzzy drinks only if no other alternatives available.2 -
@rickdkitson great tip0
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Cinnamon flavored gum and sunflower seeds help me.0
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I snack. basically my calories go into four groups: breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. all represent the same calories more or less (can vary a little obviously).
I have a snack between breakfast and lunch, one between lunch and dinner and one before bed. it's just how I roll. they just fit into my total calorie goal.
I also eat two desserts a day (with lunch and with dinner).0
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