Stupid snacking.

theroadto100

I have a problem of walking by things and snacking on them without really noticing. Example, I'll be in the kitchen getting dinner, or grabbing a snack to bring to work or class, and I open the cabinet and grab a handful of pretzels or something. It's never anything unhealthy, and it's not a binge. Usually a handful or two, but I'm sure over the day these little handfuls add up to a few hundred calories. I'm always way under on my calories, so it's not like I'm going over, but I'd still like to stop. Any advice?

MusicKeepsMeSane

I wish I knew how to stop that. The same thing happens to me everyday. If I see food laying out on the counter I'm tempted to just take a handful of whatever it is and usually I do. Lately I've been chewing gum a lot more so it keeps me from wanting to put food in my mouth because I can't stand having food and gum in my mouth at the same time.

ilookthetype

When I first started I had a planned 200-300 calories that I let slide for that kind of snacking. It evolved into me just getting rid of snack foods entirely and then the problem was solved.

dHowe4406

Keeping the snack food out of the house is what worked for me.

fitzie63

You're a compulsive eater. Only YOU can work out a plan to stop doing that. You're in control of your own plan. You can do it: IF, WHEN, and HOW...that you're "ready".

lor007

When I first started I had a planned 200-300 calories that I let slide for that kind of snacking. It evolved into me just getting rid of snack foods entirely and then the problem was solved.

This is good advice. If you would like to stop the snacking altogether, you could try to not keep the things in the house. I know it is hard sometimes if you live with other people.

MrsCon40

Get in the habit of logging everything BEFORE you eat it. If you are consistently under then you won't have to worry about curbing the habit.

Qarol

I don't allow casual snacks. I pre-log all my meals in the morning. That way I know what I'm allowed to eat. And it all fits within my macros.

Erindipitous

When I first started I had a planned 200-300 calories that I let slide for that kind of snacking. It evolved into me just getting rid of snack foods entirely and then the problem was solved.

I need to do this..

fightingforfiftyfive

I avoid the kitchen at all costs (apart from meal times) even areas around the kitchen, only go in there when you are preparing breakfast/lunch/dinner I study upstairs in my room instead of on the dining table so that even if I am thinking of snacking, it takes about 20 seconds to walk down to the pantry and by then I have usually realised I am not hungry.

Another tip I have tried is whenever I feel the urge to snack on something take two deep breaths, think about why you are snacking and if you are truly hungry or if you are eating purely out of boredom. I usually take 30 seconds and then boil some water for herbal tea instead and think about if I really need anything else to eat.

Last tip I have is make these easy snack foods harder to access, place them at the back of the cupboard or up high and out of reach, this gives you a few extra seconds to think about what you are doing and if you really need that handful or pretzels.

Goodluck

SimplyShanRunning

I don't allow casual snacks. I pre-log all my meals in the morning. That way I know what I'm allowed to eat. And it all fits within my macros.

This helps me tremendously

theroadto100

I avoid the kitchen at all costs (apart from meal times) even areas around the kitchen, only go in there when you are preparing breakfast/lunch/dinner I study upstairs in my room instead of on the dining table so that even if I am thinking of snacking, it takes about 20 seconds to walk down to the pantry and by then I have usually realised I am not hungry.

Another tip I have tried is whenever I feel the urge to snack on something take two deep breaths, think about why you are snacking and if you are truly hungry or if you are eating purely out of boredom. I usually take 30 seconds and then boil some water for herbal tea instead and think about if I really need anything else to eat.

Last tip I have is make these easy snack foods harder to access, place them at the back of the cupboard or up high and out of reach, this gives you a few extra seconds to think about what you are doing and if you really need that handful or pretzels.

Goodluck

That's all really good advice! I'll definitely try it Thank you!

Jorra

Yup, planning is KEY. Whenever I plan out my day I get super excited about it and don't want anything to ruin the "perfect" day I planned. (I'm a nerd.)

megskin15

We have a curriculum library where I work and there seems to ALWAYS be food back there... left overs from a child's birthday treat... random snacks a teacher will bring in... left overs from the potluck dinner we had....... I went so far over today because of it... I'm totally guilty of being a compulsive eater. I've heard drinking more water helps...

Newf77

I do the meal prep for my house and I find if I have a glass of water in my work space and sip on it as I am working away it keeps me from wanting to snack and taste as I prep and cook.