Studying = Food Cravings?

Rewinds

I don't know if this is just me...but I'm settling into a strict study regime for the next 2-3 weeks (uni exams) and I'm on day one and I'm hungry all the time...absolutely nothing has changed besides the fact that I'm studying. I literally just drank 1 litre of water just to try and subdue my cravings (I just had lunch 1 hour ago!) and I'm feeling tired and wanting a sugary snack (it is so tempting to go into the freezer and pull out an ice cream bar...)

I have never had this feeling over the 4 weeks I've been on this diet change and I don't even feel like this when I am working through lunch (11-3 shifts!).

What can I do? I need to study but I worry a lot about snacking on those bad foods (I don't buy them myself...I live with my 'in-laws' at the moment and she always buys chips, chocolate, brownies, ice-cream, frozen pizza, spring rolls, you name it... temptation food...) I'm also worried that I'll be snacking too much and it might ruin 4 weeks of hard work

Lift_hard_eat_big

Get outside and get some fresh air and sunlight

love4fitnesslove4food_wechange

i get this way too. best thing is to keep healthy snacks around for those times. chopped fruits and veggies at the ready are the best preemptive strike against the munchies! It's pretty normal to feel this way, just be prepared!

clairibou1

um. YES. ever since school started, i am being ridiculously bad about snacking...every time i sit down to do homework, i'm like "oh my gosh i'm so hungry" and eventually i give in because i figure its better not to be distracted. yes i know...SO bad. don't know what to do!

Tribbey143

cut up a bunch of yummy fruit but it in a bowl and then snack away!

mznisaelaine

I am in the same boat, and I am studying right now (well taking a break) and I am always hungry but I drink lots of water and tea ...But I figured since I am so focused on just studying...my body wants a break to eat...So just eat fruit or crackers, as your options. I am trying this myself..Good luck on your exams! I have three this week!

sufikitkat

I am going through a similar transition now that my intense fast paced 7 weeks per class MBA program has started! I work full time and part time M-F, classes til 10 on Tuesdays and still making time to workout at least 5 days a week. Every single time I am doing homework for longer than 30 minutes I crave a snack. I think it's the amount of focus required and sitting still for too long that creates it. I do what everyone above has recommended...healthy snacks around only. I also will allow myself to drink unsweetened tea or something low cal other than water to help satisfy cravings. Good luck with your studies and sticking to the diet!

sarahsedai

Totally bizarre that this was the first post I see as soon as I log on, tonight. I'm going through this same problem right now! I've been studying the better part of the day for a midterm tomorrow.. And have an insane urge to stuff my face.. I don't have anything 'naughty' in the house, and I even got into my car with the intentions of going to get something. I ended up driving around for 15 minutes, talking myself out of it.. came home, and logged on here. So.. just want you to know you're not alone. I know how that 'studying/food' association goes.

Just try to grab for the healthy alternatives.. or plan ahead for long nights with a designated treat.. . Allowing yourself something small to satisfy those cravings, but plan for it. Mindless rummaging through the kitchen is never a good idea.

Rewinds

First goodluck with exams (everyone in the same boat) :P

I think I will have to start preparing fruit in advance. I don't drink tea/coffee but I think I might try some green tea just for that warm, boost and jolt (its cold and snowing on the mountains here :<)

Thanks everyone ;3

aliria

gum, hard sugar free candy, and like they said, tea....it's rough tho - i know!

Jennyisbusy

When I was in college I made a rule that if I am going to eat I will close books, computer etc. and concentrate on eating. I still keep that same rule now - the one exception being the movie theater, seeing as how I only go once every few months it's probably ok.

Try upping your daily protein which can help with sugar spikes, and maybe chew some peppermint gum to freshen up your head.

http://www.physorg.com/news66363680.html

wonrob

when i study i don't get cravings, moreso i feel ravenous to eat anything and everything in sight. it's not due to study, it's due to boredom (for me at least).

drinking tea, coffee, energy drinks keeps me (not that they're good though), but it's better than a massive binge

aliria

Good for you for noticing this behavior though- I blame all of my yucky weight gain in college on this little sequence:

New place, new environment--> stress, insecurity --> lots of school work -->more stress--> lots of late nights studying-->sitting down, stressed out -->feelin the munchies-->feel guilty for eating--> stress--> more eating

So basically, stress and being stuck in one place where food is readily available is a dangerous combo. My advice: find a good way to destress, if you need a distraction while studying, plan it. Take a walk, do some jumping jacks, something obvious. then get back to work, drink your water/tea, chew your gum, and don't study near a convenient food source!

good luck

dmpizza

Thinking takes a lot of energy too!

You might try guzzling a 20oz bottle of diet soda or water. That should fill you up.

Good luck.

ImKindOfABigDeal40

My philosophy is "everything in moderation." If you are using the calculators on here, you should be able to keep yourself in check and not over do it. Don't deprive yourself of things your body craves just try to reduce them. I think this is why most fad diets don't work. The cravings become too strong at some point.

sarah_ep

Drinking coffee or hot tea (not loaded with sugar) while studying really help to ease my cravings. Everyone else gave pretty solid advice as well.

Edit: Typo

Lisa_222

Snacking in front of the computer has been my thing for ages. Same problem, every time I sat down, I wanted a snack. Make sure your study area isn't near the kitchen. Change it if it is. Make sure you cut out all eating in front of your computer or desk, eat only at the table. Cutting out that habit is the first thing we need to do. Eating just at the kitchen table and no where else is paramount to breaking snacking habits.

Also know that stress from anything causes cortisol levels to go up, which increases hunger, thirst and water retention. So try to do some relaxation techniques, deep breathing, music, whatever works for you.

Rae6503

sunflower seeds, popcorn and gum!

ahavoc

Here's a suggestion.

NEVER EVER EVER eat at your desk. EVER!

Eat only in the kitchen, or if you don't have one, make an area where you are allowed to eat and only eat there. Even snacks! You need to retrain your brain. It thinks that whenever you sit down that it's time to eat. You need to change that to whenever you sit in the "eating" place, then it's time to eat. It works with dogs, cats and children, and it's just a bad habit, but you can change it.

So, repeat the behavior over and over. If you want to snack, get up, go to the eating place and eat there. Only allow yourself water at your desk. (And believe me, our bodies confuse thirst for hunger all the time).

Be conscious of it, and if you have to, set a timer to get up to the eating place and have your snack. How long this behavioral change will take will be different for each individual, but it will happen.

Good luck!

Rewinds

Thanks everyone for the great advice! I tried tea...still find it unpleasant so that plan failed! But will invest in some sugar-free gum and maybe unsalted cashews.

Luckily I have a couple of busy days ahead so won't be stuck infront of the computer for hrs.

Once again thanks and I hope this post helped someone else :P