What do you do to avoid mindless snacking?

rypstorm

Lately I've noticed that when I plop down at my computer (by the kitchen, I might add) to finish up some unavoidable work (around 10 pm or so), I have started to cave in to cravings while I'm working. First night it was too much chocolate, second night it was white cheddar cheez-its and goldfish crackers, and last night it was black bean tortilla chips. It's either chocolate, or something salty crunchy. This late night snacking, right before bed, is not something that I want to continue.

So, I want to hear what you all do to minimize giving in to your cravings.

EmmieBaby

for me I don't stop myself from snacking, its what I choose that I have to watch out for.

Try baking some snacks before you get to work.

baked chickpeas are amazing
pita chips are a good sub for potato chips
cut carrots and bake those fif you are craving fries
for chocolate, try extra dark chocolate instead of milk or white
cut some celery and put some peanut butter on it and add some raisins (bugs on a stick I think its called)
any fruit (personal fav is apples)

and of course when you snack, drink water or tea to flush out any unwanted salts.

GothyFaery

I chew gum like there's no tomorrow. Get a very strong flavored one that will linger in your mouth after you spit it out. Eucalipis flavored chips are not good.

Jestinia

Hot sugarless beverages. Also I don't start. Because if I do, that's the end, Miss Lizard Brain will spend the rest of the day nagging me to eat more.

(Before someone accuses me of having a split personality: http://thelizard-brain.com/definitions/def_li.html

The term Lizard-Brain is a light-hearted way of describing the most primitive part of our human brain.)

jess135177

I drink tea.

rypstorm

Thanks emmie! Those are all great ideas! My problem is usually by the end of the night, I've pretty much used up the majority of my allotted calories for the day. I'm a tea freak, so I will drink tea like there's no tomorrow. However, the problem is when I want to chew on something crunchy and salty late at night while I'm working on the computer.

As far as chocolate, I ALWAYS go dark.:glasses:

rypstorm

Goth - that's a great idea. I will have to try that one.

Rosyone

Try making it less mindless. Plan for and budget the calories for a bedtime snack.

ekz13

Game.. but I'll usually play something that requires two hands, driving game, FPS, RPGs, etc... that way I can't mindlessly grab into a bag

rypstorm

"Lizard brain = the male brain." That is too funny!

tyrsnbdr

I chew gum like there's no tomorrow. Get a very strong flavored one that will linger in your mouth after you spit it out. Eucalipis flavored chips are not good.

This what I do... My office desk if full of gum. I also drink tons of water.

rypstorm

Game.. but I'll usually play something that requires two hands, driving game, FPS, RPGs, etc... that way I can't mindlessly grab into a bag

I don't do video games, except wii with my kids (but that's not my "problem time"). But that is a great idea. When i'm up late working on the computer, I type with both hands, but I still manage to fanagle a "fist in bag of chips" maneuver.

rypstorm

"Lizard brain = the male brain." That is too funny!

But I will also add that my own brain is rather reptilian at times.

rypstorm

Try making it less mindless. Plan for and budget the calories for a bedtime snack.

THAT is a great idea. Thanks!

grimendale

Pistachios in shell work for me. i still get to much on something crunchy and salty, but you can't eat them by the handful, and de-shelling each one slows you down a lot, so you eat a lot less.

Lizzy622

Is there any place else to work? I try to clean up after dinner and get out of the kitchen because the sight of food just gets you thinking about it. Either that or clean up the area so you are not looking at any food.

MysteriousMerlin

Yep, gum ^^

I've finally gotten out of the habit of snacking at work (after 3 months!). I tell myself that I can wait 15-20 minutes before I snack on something. Usually by then the craving is gone or I've forgotten about it.

Still struggling at home, but I have eliminated eating at the computer and while I'm playing video games. Still need to work on while I'm just watching TV. I make jewelry too, so while I'm doing that my hands are completely occupied.

Jestinia

"Lizard brain = the male brain." That is too funny!

It's the primitive brain. I knew I should have quoted from a different site, but it was the first google hit when I double checked to make sure the term was even still around and that first sentence summed it up so nicely. :happy:

Francl27

I hold myself accountable to my diary... Pretty much, once I'm out of calories, eating is just not an option. I want to lose weight... that means I have to stay under my goal (except those freak days when I'm too starving). So if I want to obsess about food... I plan the next day's menu instead of what I'm going to eat now. I don't know why, but it works for me.

rypstorm

Is there any place else to work? I try to clean up after dinner and get out of the kitchen because the sight of food just gets you thinking about it. Either that or clean up the area so you are not looking at any food.

Technically it's not the kitchen. It's one of those home office alcoves that is adjacent (i.e. 4 steps from the fridge, 3 steps from the pantry) to the kitchen area. I've thought about moving my laptop and associated paperwork to my bedroom and working from there, but there isn't a desk there as I'm trying to keep that space for bedroom activities only

rypstorm

I hold myself accountable to my diary... Pretty much, once I'm out of calories, eating is just not an option. I want to lose weight... that means I have to stay under my goal (except those freak days when I'm too starving). So if I want to obsess about food... I plan the next day's menu instead of what I'm going to eat now. I don't know why, but it works for me.

That is some serious willpower!!! Usually I'm pretty good about being disciplined, except when I'm pre-menstrual, as is the case now.

KRB28

A big glass of water and freshly brushed teeth.

Holly_Roman_Empire

Try making it less mindless. Plan for and budget the calories for a bedtime snack.

This. The opposite of "mindless" is actually thinking about it. Either budger for it, or make a conscious decision not to.

FXOjafar

I often snack but I make sure it's something healthy like Macadamias or a chunk of Camembert cheese

Greywalk

if I had those cravings it would take a trip to the store over the mountain etc to get the stuff. If it is not there hard to answer the craving.

Factory_Reset

I eat before going to bed, just plan it into your day

absentmindedhousewife

When I have to have crunchy salty I slice some turnips or sweet potatoes and eat them raw with salt and pepper. They're good!

ModernNerd

I used to do this too! Brush your teeth right after dinner, that's one trick that has helped me stay away from grazing all evening. Also, if I pre log snacks and close my entry right after dinner, I'm also much less likely to cheat.

Good luck OP :flowerforyou:

RoyBeck

It's my most difficult time too. Now when it gets to about 9pm I brush my teeth!! Works for me hopefully you too.

rypstorm

When I have to have crunchy salty I slice some turnips or sweet potatoes and eat them raw with salt and pepper. They're good!

That is very strange, if not intriguing. Not sure if the salt and pepper will be able to remove the earthiness of the sweet potatoes. WIll have to give this one a try, but I'm not gonna lie, I'm not convinced.

rypstorm

Another thought - avoid bringing home any work to do, since that seems to be a trigger for me.