I cant STOP snacking on junk food!!! Help!!!!

ainsleypeters
ainsleypeters Posts: 21 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I work in an office and im constantly snacking on chocolate and crisp, im the same at home aswell. HELP!
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Replies

  • emhargs
    emhargs Posts: 63
    there is an easy solution for when you are at home - DO NOT BUY THE JUNK OR ALLOW IT IN YOUR HOUSE
  • emhargs
    emhargs Posts: 63
    there is an easy solution for when you are at home - DO NOT BUY THE JUNK OR ALLOW IT IN YOUR HOUSE - Then you can't snack on it. This is working for me.

    at work it will be harder - and it will involve discipline.... find some healthier alternatives and pack them in your lunchbox to take to work. this week for the first time ever, i snacked on celery sticks and cottage cheese - a very extreme healthy snack, but i was so proud of myself for putting in the effort. it doesn't have to be super healthy - just stay in your calorie guidelines for the day. if i feel like something salty, i eat low calorie rice crackers, gives me the same reward as chips. i have made 3 batches of low calorie banana and choc chip muffins this week. you don't have to deprive yourself - just make some better choices. if i can do it, anybody can. baby steps :-)
  • coullmom
    coullmom Posts: 133 Member
    At my work people bring in all kinds of cakes, chocolates, cookies, donuts etc.....I have just told myself that there is absolutely no nutritional value and that they are horrible....and so far so good!!! Try telling yourself that you don't like them and see how long you can resist. don't purchase them for your home, that is the hardest time to resist!!
  • groovyfirechick
    groovyfirechick Posts: 188
    I have the same problem. I eat popcorn if I need a salty snack. I don't bring junk food to work and we have eliminated chips, cookies, donuts, etc from the house. Baby steps! You can do it!! :)
  • hockeyfan87
    hockeyfan87 Posts: 206 Member
    I also used to snack on junk food too, but I now snack on Special K Chip Crackers! :) They're sooo much healthier for you. 18 crackers=80cals and they taste great :) Maybe you could substitute these instead of your crisps :)
  • Bobby_Clerici
    Bobby_Clerici Posts: 1,828 Member
    All I can advise is to remove the temptation. I am weak as can be. It's hard to resist when it's right there in front of me.
    If it were me, I'd clean my home of trashy foods. I can control that.
    As for work?
    I swear I'd quit. I don't know if that is a viable option for you, but I'd be looking for other opportunities.
    I just can't be around junk food and resist. The whole notion is absurd, yet there are some reformed pig-people who find junk foods gross.
    I sure envy such individuals. Best of luck!:flowerforyou:
  • lacewitch
    lacewitch Posts: 766 Member
    dont take money / debit card to work! pack some healthy snacks / lunch and plan meals then you dont have any way to get junk
    and hopefully this will help you break the habit.
  • EstherZue
    EstherZue Posts: 39
    I had the same issue at work. Every day we have boxed of chocolates going around. To resist I take a lot of food with me to the office. I take 2 apples, I have a jar with dates, another one with nuts standing here, and I pack a whole lunch meal like a wrapped tortilla, or pasta salad or sth like that from the night before. As soon as I feel the smallest hunger pang I eat one of those things. When the chocolates make their round I am full and can resist.

    Honestly, I was such a choc-a-holic before I started MFP. I think I easily ate between 100-200g of chocolate related foods a day. If there wasn't any around I'd go cold turkey. Today its much different. In fact I just realised I have a box of chocolates sitting on my desk since morning and no desire to touch it. I will take it home and keep it unopened to bring for an unexpected invitation somewhere maybe. Trsut me, you taste changes the longer you keep up the routine of eating healthy. It becomes your new addiction.
  • BeautyFromPain
    BeautyFromPain Posts: 4,952 Member
    bump
  • Ganners
    Ganners Posts: 24
    Oh wow i do exactly the same- its so hard not to enjoy yourself and i hate that i cant just eat what i want when i want! I actually get proper jealous when i see people eating things i want to eat all.the.time.

    Its always such a battle and i feel guilty whenever i do indulge in a treat. So, i guess its just nice to know that you're not alone in this....

    xx
  • 75Juniper
    75Juniper Posts: 376
    I agree with what everyone is telling you. When I got serious about my weight loss last fall, I got rid of all the junk. All of it. I then made sure I had lots of healthy snacks: fiber cereal/bars, low-fat cheese, almonds, fruit, veggies, etc. It broke the habit. Now the unhealthy stuff doesn't have the pull it used to.

    I also make sure I have plenty of healthy snacks at work, and I'll take a quick walk if I'm having trouble resisting.

    You can do it!
  • SanniHope
    SanniHope Posts: 23
    An easy solution is not to buy it and try to replace it with healthier food: fruit or yogurt for example ;)

    I sometimes go study at the university's library and not to go and buy junk at the machines I take with me a banana or some home made snack which is healthier and makes me spare money =)
  • herownkindofwonderfull
    herownkindofwonderfull Posts: 307 Member
    if you don't buy it, you can't eat it.

    as for work, it's about self control. healthy choices typically lead to more healthy choices. it's all about self discipline.
  • PJ64
    PJ64 Posts: 866 Member
    there is an easy solution for when you are at home - DO NOT BUY THE JUNK OR ALLOW IT IN YOUR HOUSE

    Amen

    I am the same way. if it's there it's getting EATEN :tongue: At work we have a snack bar but I keep my healthy treats near me. As my dear old Dad used to say "You hang around a barber shop, your gonna get a haircut!"
  • charm_quark
    charm_quark Posts: 315 Member
    Fruits, fruits, fruits!
    This is my magical solution, for my choco-addiction.
    I eat huge amounts of fruits everyday, not wondering for their sugar or calories.
    I just had 600 grams of watermelon!
    My everyday snack are 1-2 bananas.
    I winter I made an oatmeal with bananas, apple, cinnamon and oats.
    In summer I have a wider variety. Strawberries, cherries, melon, watermelon, peaches, bananas, and whatever I find in market and seems delicious. NO JUICES... JUST EATING THEM! I carry them in my bag at work, at beach, at my parent's house (because they don't eat fruits) or wherever!!!! and that is what keeps me close to target, or at least I feel I ate healthy snacks.
  • CABA01
    CABA01 Posts: 33
    At work, look always, that your stomach ist full with healthy things, then it is easier, yes an as the others said already, for at home, buy only healthy snacks!
  • ainsleypeters
    ainsleypeters Posts: 21 Member
    I have tried this and it worked, i suppose im gonna have to do it again. Thanks.
  • coliema
    coliema Posts: 7,646 Member
    Replace the junk food, chocolate and chips with carrots, celery, cauliflower, cucumbers, etc. That's what I did in my house, so now if me or my fiance want a snack, we turn to those veggies and have them with a little fat free ranch dip.
  • NewChristina
    NewChristina Posts: 250 Member
    I can relate. The desk job will sabotage your fitness goals. Like the others said, you have to commit. Bring water/flavored water to sip on. Try to give up the sweets entirely. If you are like me, a little bit of sweets will have you craving more and make your efforts that much harder. Good luck. :flowerforyou:
  • rocakes
    rocakes Posts: 44
    I would start buying alternative snacks with you to work... i bring fruit, low fat cheese sticks, veggies, maybe a handful of almonds that helps me I also look at those things people bring into work and say its soooooooo NOT worth it. I know it's hard but you have to tell yourself you are better than that chocolate and you DO have to will power to NOT eat that junk.
    Good luck! and if its bothering again blog about it that's what we are all here for SUPPORT!
  • EmaElizabeth
    EmaElizabeth Posts: 7 Member
    I work in an office to, and the biscuit tin is my hardest demon to battle. I love sugary tea and sweet biscuits. But i resently watched a programme on TV were they done an experiment on office workers to see how much they would eat if they were given sweets.

    There were 3 groups
    Group one had sweets in a clear bowl right next to them
    group two had sweets in a black bowl just a bit futher than arms length
    and Group three had sweets in a black and clear bowl all the way on the other side of the room.

    All of group one finished there sweets, group two ate just over half and the last group barely even touched them.

    It proved that we all do mindless eating if the sweets are there and we are aware of them
    but if we keep the sweets out of sight we are far less likely to get up and grab some.

    i hope this is of some help to any of you.
  • melsinct
    melsinct Posts: 3,512 Member
    I work in an office with copious amounts of candy, leftover meeting pastries, etc. available to me every day.

    1. You need to make a conscious decision to stop eating junk food. The buck stops with you and nothing will force you to have the willpower to say no except you.

    2. Keep alternative healthier snacks in your desk. If I really really want to sweet junky stuff, I'll eat a sweet healthier alternative that I have at my desk. This could be a handful of dried fruit, fresh fruit, or my stash of trail mix that has little bits of dark chocolate. Any of this is a far superior alternative to danish or mini candy bars. I keep a stash of stuff in my desk that I only hit when the craving strikes hard.
  • tabik30
    tabik30 Posts: 443
    I also used to snack on junk food too, but I now snack on Special K Chip Crackers! :) They're sooo much healthier for you. 18 crackers=80cals and they taste great :) Maybe you could substitute these instead of your crisps :)



    LOVE these things! And the Special K 100 crisps are good too
  • mmsilvia
    mmsilvia Posts: 459 Member
    I pack a healthy lunch from home, with healthy snacks. I always pack one extra snack then I think I will eat. That way if I do get hungry I have something to fall back on. And, do NOT bring any money with you. That way you have to eat what you packed.

    I don't keep any kind of junk in my house. If it is there I will eat it.

    At work, I keep Trident gum in my desk. When ever I have a meeting with cookies and danish or someone brings donuts in I put a piece of gum in my mouth. That way I am not tempted.

    I also drink TONS of water all day long.
  • mjsunshine16
    mjsunshine16 Posts: 251 Member
    I pack a healthy lunch from home, with healthy snacks. I always pack one extra snack then I think I will eat. That way if I do get hungry I have something to fall back on. And, do NOT bring any money with you. That way you have to eat what you packed.

    I don't keep any kind of junk in my house. If it is there I will eat it.

    At work, I keep Trident gum in my desk. When ever I have a meeting with cookies and danish or someone brings donuts in I put a piece of gum in my mouth. That way I am not tempted.

    I also drink TONS of water all day long.

    Ditto! This all is key for me.
  • BandForAlyAnne
    BandForAlyAnne Posts: 321 Member
    i cant stop snacking on HEALTHY FOOD. now THATS a problem.
  • MizSaz
    MizSaz Posts: 445 Member
    How do you know you can't stop? Have you tried? If this is what's in your office, then I understand you don't have a lot of control over it and you'll have to just have some willpower. And certainly don't buy this crap and bring it into your home if you don't trust yourself with it. Nobody NEEDS crisps.
  • jallison12
    jallison12 Posts: 83
    2 things help me:
    1. I LOVE Skinny Cow snacks and ice cream. Usually 90 or 100 cals
    2. Eat those snacks you do now, but enter each portion into MFP. Once you see how much cals each is it might help you to say no.
  • htmlgirl
    htmlgirl Posts: 314 Member
    Home - don't keep it in your house. We have a rule/understanding that the hubby is only allowed to get snacks I don't like. There are plenty of snacks I don't like, so he has plenty to choose from.

    Work - that's harder. Before MFP, people would bring in donuts and I couldn't resist. Something you could do, is just say, I will wait an hour before getting the snack, when that hour comes, reevaluate, you may find that it's all gone already (that's what would happen with donuts). Maybe you could talk to your boss about doing a healthy eating campaign?
  • jfrankic
    jfrankic Posts: 747 Member
    First thing is to STOP SAYING YOU CANT!!! Get that junk out of your head. You can do this. You can do this. You can do this! I promise you can do this, but you have to believe you can. You have the ability to be your own best cheerleader or your own worst enemy. If you say "I can't" then you can't. Harsh but true, as I speak from personal experience. Now, moving on....

    I fix my sweet tooth by a few different things, and most are under 100 calories...

    Celery sticks with 1 tbsp of peanut butter (my favorite, 100 calories)
    Baby carrots (13 are only 35 calories)
    Ghirardelli dark chocolate baking chips (16 are 80 cals)
    Even animal crackers (a serving 16 cookies is 120 cals)
    A more filling snack is low fat triscuits with cucumber and a slice of cheese (caps depend on cheese)
    Hot tea with tablespoon of honey, mint is really good (60 cals for honey)

    A few pointers that work for me.....

    Always, always, always have a snack with you.
    Journal everything.
    Pre-journal for you lunch and dinner. Know how many calories you have. It is too easy to have that cupcake and tell yourself you will just eat green beans for dinner. Riiiiiight!! Put dinner in mfp first!

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