Snacking

BrandyontheRun
BrandyontheRun Posts: 204 Member
Probably my biggest downfall!! I can't seem to give up snacking! I've got a terrible sweet tooth on top of being an emotional eater/a "bored" eater. I'm sure I'm not the only one with this problem. What kind of things do you do to avoid snacking? Instead of snacking on junk food what do you turn to? I tend to like finger foods, bite size snacks that take time to eat... So I end up munching on things like "skittles" or buttery popcorn.. stuff of the likes. How do we put an end to these habits??

Replies

  • Oh god you just described me exactly, bored eater and big sweet tooth and love snacks. I just force myself to plan my meals (meaning all my calories) (including snacks) ahead of time. If snacks stop being discretionary calories, they're better spent just like with money :)
  • WoWmamaErin
    WoWmamaErin Posts: 148 Member
    When I started I had to cut out all snacks. Now, 4 months later, I can keep a big jar of almonds in the house and only have 1 serving every other day or so. Also, if I do want a little bit of junk, I'll buy a single serving bag of candy or chips and split it with the kids maybe once a month. I'm one of those people who can't stop at just one, so I really had to bite the bullet and ban myself from it. It was truely an addiction. It was very difficult on me in the beginning but soooo worth it! And yes, I am a bored/emotional/everything eater.
  • I try to plan my meals and dairy a day ahead of time that way I can figure out exactly what I am going to eat. And snacking is fine if you can control how much you are eating at once and what you eat. That's the biggest thing about this, eating smart amounts of food and eating healthy. I also try to keep my meals 4 hours apart so by the time I get hungry, it's already time for my next meal. Foods that are high in fiber (nuts..apples..etc etc) are really great to keep you full.
  • 0PhAtDaDdY
    0PhAtDaDdY Posts: 569 Member
    Probably my biggest downfall!! I can't seem to give up snacking! I've got a terrible sweet tooth on top of being an emotional eater/a "bored" eater. I'm sure I'm not the only one with this problem. What kind of things do you do to avoid snacking? Instead of snacking on junk food what do you turn to? I tend to like finger foods, bite size snacks that take time to eat... So I end up munching on things like "skittles" or buttery popcorn.. stuff of the likes. How do we put an end to these habits??

    I snack a lot all afternoon, package sliced apples 30 calories, small bag of carrots 50 calories, 1/4 cup Healthy Heart Nut Mix 140 calories, banana 110 calories, large plums 35 calories, and so on......Just some suggestions....
  • WoWmamaErin
    WoWmamaErin Posts: 148 Member
    Oh... and to answer the question as to what to do to avoid snacking... I come on here and look at the success stories and read the forums :)
  • mauigyrl
    mauigyrl Posts: 86 Member
    huge snacker too. I tend to eat club crackers and laughing cow cheese spread which is only 105 calories a serving. I love my jello sugar free cups. I havent in a long time but if candy is what I crave Atkins brand does it for me. Baby carrots are filling too. I try to keep good snacks around me but sometimes it is hard with an 11 year old son.
  • 77tes
    77tes Posts: 8,571 Member
    I buy veggies on the weekend, wash and trim them, and bag them in individual servings. You can snack, just log it all.
  • clickybang
    clickybang Posts: 10 Member
    I took up cross stitch - something that keeps my hands busy that I can't risk messing up with sticky fingers. Admittedly, it doesn't work so well at work, but I've cut right back on the amount of crap I was nibbling on at night!
  • MissMollieK
    MissMollieK Posts: 316 Member
    I agree with everyone here- I must discipline myself as they do- I often fail, but if I just don't buy the junk, often that helps. I am also an emotional eater and eat when there is too much time on my hands- this is often at night. I try to snack on nuts or "healthier" snacks- even dark chocolate on occasion isn't bad- but I know in my mind too much is bad. Mentality is soooo huge with getting healthy. Planning ahead of time may help, but finding what works for you is the best. stay accountable! don't cheat on your diary- put everything on the diary as much as it hurts- that might help as well....just a few thoughts, you aren't alone- we are all here for the same reason- to get healthier and be accountable! you can do it!
  • MzMiller1215
    MzMiller1215 Posts: 633 Member
    I keep 100 Calorie packs of almonds, 90 calorie Fiber One brownies (for my sweet tooth cravings) and Crystal Light candies. I also like to munch on baby carrots when I need a crunchy snack. If you like popcorn, try the 100 calorie Pop Secret microwave popcorn. I almost always plan all of my snacks at the beginning of the day so I won't be tempted to go to the cafe or the vending machine for unhealthy snacks. Drink more water too.
  • cbmcphillips
    cbmcphillips Posts: 801 Member
    When I started I had to cut out all snacks. Now, 4 months later, I can keep a big jar of almonds in the house and only have 1 serving every other day or so. Also, if I do want a little bit of junk, I'll buy a single serving bag of candy or chips and split it with the kids maybe once a month. I'm one of those people who can't stop at just one, so I really had to bite the bullet and ban myself from it. It was truely an addiction. It was very difficult on me in the beginning but soooo worth it! And yes, I am a bored/emotional/everything eater.

    me too! better to buy 1 candy bar at 250 calories and share! i can't keep full bags of candy in the house either! they just end up on my waistline....
  • I'm also an incessant snacker. The best way to fight it is like others have said, plan out your meals. I've noticed that I cut down on snacks a lot when I eat three square meals a day. I also get regular sized snack bags and divide them up into single portions using sandwich bags, and eat them as far away from the kitchen/pantry as possible. Laziness will trump over my need for snacking, usually.
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