Snacking issues

AphroditesBrat

I have a bad habit of getting the munchies real bad whenever I watch shows or at night, like its ridiculous and this gets in the way of me completing my goals. I don't know how to make myself stop or find a way to go about it better ;o;

AnnPT77

Take up a new hobby, ideally one that requires clean hands (sketching, needlework, playing a musical instrument, . . . ) or creates dirty ones (painting, carpentry, . . .).

Some can even be done while watching TV, like knitting (but you might have to knit dishcloths rather than complicated patterns ).

Or, when you feel crave-y, stand up and do some marching in place or other small exercise. Or have an herb tea or zero-calorie sparkling water, if the food link is unavoidable.

More generally, assuming you're not hungry at night because you're over-restricting (or distributing your calories through the day in a way that isn't satiating for you), then this is about breaking a habit.

The easiest way to break a habit is to replace it with a new habit . . . a better habit.

enaudnoslo

I, too have the same problem usually after 8-9pm while watching TV. I think for me it's because the commotion of the day has settled and I am having to process/deal with things (feelings) I don't really care to. Plus even though I have a DVR, a quick blip of a Pizza or a burger (during fast forward) can cause a craving for me even though I'm not physically hungry. Sorry, I don't have any answers, just want to let you know you aren't alone. I suspect there are a LOT of us out there.

AphroditesBrat

@enaudnaslow
Yeah, my problem is/was always I was what you would call a bored eater, and usually eat twice as much when I watch shows.

Thanks for the support, we'll find a way to get through this >o<;;

geneticsteacher

Pre-log a night snack. I usually set aside 200-300 calories for a snack. Once I have logged it, that's it. No more snacking. (It might help to log something that takes a long time to eat.)

AphroditesBrat

@geneticsteacher
Thats actually a really good idea, I might try that!

mimimunchery

This is a BIG issue for me - I snack at night cuz I’m bored and tired and also sometimes feeling stressed or sad. Things that have been working for me at least a little:

- eating a big bowl of red cabbage with a small amount of honey ginger dressing or plain. The cabbage has very few calories and it’s tasty and takes awhile to eat. Also red peppers.

If I’m really hungry - either a handful of walnuts or a chobani nonfat vanilla Greek yogurt with blue berries.

I used to have small or low cal ice cream bars but I would always end up eating 2 or 3 or even 4!

DancingMoosie

A protein shake or fluff fills me up while I watch my show.

meganreid163

I try to save 200 calories for a protein bar at the end of the night.

Kupla71

Yeah. I have this problem too of late night snacking. I try to schedule my exercise in the evenings to break up the time a bit to fight boredom because I know I will otherwise be snacking. I also have my dinner later in the day cause I know I’m less likely to eat even out of boredom if I’ve just eaten. ( I have a snack between lunch and dinner so I can push dinner later.)

Stellamom2018

I always save 300-400 calories for my second supper. I can say no all day long, I've conquered staying away from the work candy bowl, but I always need a bed time snack.

I'm currently eating chilly cow ice cream (190 cals) and drinking a ginger beer (170 cals).

melissafeagins

AnnPT77 wrote: »

Take up a new hobby, ideally one that requires clean hands (sketching, needlework, playing a musical instrument, . . . ) or creates dirty ones (painting, carpentry, . . .).

Some can even be done while watching TV, like knitting (but you might have to knit dishcloths rather than complicated patterns ).

Or, when you feel crave-y, stand up and do some marching in place or other small exercise. Or have an herb tea or zero-calorie sparkling water, if the food link is unavoidable.

More generally, assuming you're not hungry at night because you're over-restricting (or distributing your calories through the day in a way that isn't satiating for you), then this is about breaking a habit.

The easiest way to break a habit is to replace it with a new habit . . . a better habit.

I fold laundry. Who wants food on their clean clothes? I used to cross stitch, but I haven't done that for a while because I have arthritis in my right hand.

150poundsofme

In the evening watching TV I chew gum a lot. Also will eat 3 clementines. I take a really long time to peel and eat since I don't eat the "plastic" between each segment.

pierinifitness

I tend to have harsh suggestions about topics like this but let me tell you one that worked for me in the past. First of all, I assume that you want to free yourself from the munchies habit which may be compromising your weight loss goal, but may lack the willpower to do so.

If this is your case, next time you want to have some munchies, go grab them and then head for a mirror and eat your munchies while looking at yourself in the mirror. This little visual experience will give you some new lessons and make you confront how genuine are your eating practices to support your weight loss goals. If you take great delight in eating those munchies while looking at yourself, then continue eating those munchies because you have confirmed that they are more important and enjoyable than perhaps the goals you've set. Your mileage may vary. Wishing you the best.

Dreamwa1ker

I budget a small amount of calories for it. Then I measure out 1 portion of my snack (e.g. chips and salsa) and plate it up nicely in a fun (small!) bowl etc then put everything away before I go sit down to avoid temptation for additional. Also: single-serving size bags of microwave popcorn are a helpful thing now (though they unfortunately cost a little more). Fresh fruit is also a great option.

If I don't want to snack at all, I brush my teeth before sitting down to chill in the evening. Again providing more resistance to temptation, because you know you have to brush again..

I like the idea above about doing something with your hands while watching TV. I like to crochet or paint my nails. Who wants to smudge their nail polish by snacking! :-)

kshama2001

I thought I was bored eating but after upping protein this urge went away. Turned out my body just wanted more protein and was looking for it from poor sources.

tmpecus78

AphroditesBrat wrote: »

I have a bad habit of getting the munchies real bad whenever I watch shows or at night, like its ridiculous and this gets in the way of me completing my goals. I don't know how to make myself stop or find a way to go about it better ;o;

Simple. If you know you're gonna end up with the munchies later at night watching TV, save some calories for it. Just don't take the whole bag of chips with you to the couch.

yayamom3

geneticsteacher wrote: »

Pre-log a night snack. I usually set aside 200-300 calories for a snack. Once I have logged it, that's it. No more snacking. (It might help to log something that takes a long time to eat.)

I do this every night. And after I've enjoyed my snack, I immediately go brush my teeth. I don't want to eat anything with a clean, minty mouth. Plus, after awhile, the ritual kind of gets stuck in my psyche. My brain knows that I enjoy my snack, I brush my teeth, then I'm done for the day.

jdhcm2006

I save calories for snacking b/c I like having something to snack on after dinner.

thenewkayla

I save for it . I have a snack at 8 and 10. Tonight it was a nut bar and yogurt