I'm a Nibbler

Veronadragon

:-) ....or a snacker. I realized since being here that I actually rarely have a full meal, maybe one a day if that. Mostly I eat a little here a little there, some of this, some of that. I nibble while I cook, while I'm walking past the kitchen, when I'm bored, can't sleep, watching tv.....And it adds up! Frack! Maybe to me it didn't seem like a lot because it wasn't on a plate or I didn't have all of my food groups in one place. Sometimes it can be some hummus and crackers, which isn't bad unless I do it 4 times a day :sick:

I just rarely have time to sit and do that. I cook the meals (I am a divorced mom of a disabled daughter) everyday. I shop for the food. But I actually don't sit and eat it. Unless I go out to a real restaurant I actually don't have many meals. I'm so busy feeding others and cleaning up after the meals that I don't bother. smh.

So yes, I am (my real name) and I am a chronic Nibbler-Snacker! Help. :ohwell:

Anyone else have this issue?

elisa123gal

My husband calls me the nibbler. It is his nickname for me. Just this week...I've stopped snacking. It ihas been hard..but it is amazing how it cuts down on your calories. I read about it on another forum as they discussed that constant eating could keep insulin going up and down all day.

I thought I'd give it a try... I've been counting my calories and not snacking since last tuesday and have lost 4 pounds. I'm going to stick with it. Have to say... I am hungry for about an hour before I eat. But, I figure perhaps being hungry isn't the worst thing in the world.

lisanorman6

I love to graze, but grazing doesn't love me. I'm also a single Mom to a child with a disability and do all the cooking. What helped me was to log EVERYTHING I ate. After a week and an emotional heart attack, I had much clearer picture of just how many calories I eat through grazing alone. That particular number was pretty good motivation to break the habit. Something and by far the best solution was to actually sit down with my son and have a meal together. This not only allowed me more control and awareness of calorie intake, but it gave me some precious one on one time with him. As a single Mom, it's easy to get caught up in what we have to get done. Taking just 20 minutes to sit down has been one of the best blessings along the weight loss journey. The dishes can wait, the laundry can wait, the phone call from your Mom can wait...your child is the most important thing and the connection you'll gain through a meal together is priceless.

I also had to get rid of the snack foods. It was like throwing out my favorite pair of sweat pants. Sometimes you just have to do it!

buzzcockgirl

I used to snack a lot whenever there was something around, or I ALWAYS cleaned my kids plate. A leftover scoop of mac n cheese, I'd eat it. A little piece of chicken left, I'd eat it. "Better not to waste it!" And yes, nibbling as I cooked. I started a strict program about 2.5 months ago where I'm not eating ANYTHING except the product I'm using (Optifast) and it is hard not to nibble, especially when you do all the cooking (for me, it's husband and 2 small kids). BUT.... if you do the shopping in the house (which I do), you can't eat what you dont bring into the house! And I've found that if I do a little meal planning, it makes the cooking (or rather, the prep) for each meal so much easier, and therefore it's easier not to nibble. Think: If you're in the kitchen a shorter amount of time and you dont have to shred cheese, or cook up the ground beef, or whatever... then you're less likely to grab a bite here or there. Try to cook meals that you can make an extra serving of... freeze it for another meal. Or make extra chicken so the next day you can easily grab a chicken breast for lunch (instead of handfuls of chips, crackers, whatever). If you're browning ground turkey for spaghetti sauce, use double and have tacos the next night. Cut up all your veggies on one day and have them in a tupperware. Anything that keeps you out of the kitchen and away from the food will help. And TRY to take time for an actual meal (chicken breast and a side salad)... you deserve to sit and taste the food, smell it, enjoy it... be AWARE of it!

Veronadragon

Wow! So much in common and so much great advice. Thanks. I love and hate that we have these things in common, but now I know I am not the only one. I am reading so much of myself in the comments.
I will try the great tips and motivation. :drinker: