Tips to avoid mindless snacking?

DJ2120
DJ2120 Posts: 407 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
This is one of my worst eating habits. I'll pick up a box of cereal for example and just sit there and snack & snack. My mind will be telling me to stop, but I'll just keep going. Any tips on how avoid this?
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Replies

  • marthathebear
    marthathebear Posts: 498
    When you pick it up, put it back down immediately. Get out of the house and go for a walk.
  • AmoreCouture
    AmoreCouture Posts: 255 Member
    Don't pick up the box of cereal (or any other food) like that, just portion out enough food and put the rest away.
    Keep the snacks that are too tempting out of the house if you feel you get carried away with them.
    Boredom always seems to be my problem, so go outside and get a change of setting if you find you're "bored snacking" all day.
  • hhayes06
    hhayes06 Posts: 189 Member
    Measure out one cup ( or serving) and take that with you to the couch instead of the whole box. Or put the box away and go brush your teeth then drink a glass of water.
  • C00lCountry
    C00lCountry Posts: 282
    Get a bowl and measure out a serving or 2 of the ceral. Put box away.
  • mizamypowers
    mizamypowers Posts: 9
    Measured portions, as others have said, is key. I am a snacker and usually a portion satisfies that craving.
  • mikebooker1
    mikebooker1 Posts: 148 Member
    I definitely feel your pain! I basically had to stop keeping bad snacks in the house. I keep a lot of fruit now and at first I'll admit it was an adjustment period and I still fall off the wagon sometimes but it works. Or another thing i did instead of grabing the whole bag and plopping down on the couch I'd just put a handful(or two lol) on a napkin and put the bag back in the cabinet. At least that way I am cutting down on my portion sizes.

    good luck!
  • Newf77
    Newf77 Posts: 802 Member
    Only take the portion you want and put the box back away; I have this issue with bagged foods {chips/straws/nuts} so I will portion the food out in the kitchen and then put the package away. I know it sounds cliche but try a large glass of water, instead of snacking everytime you want to munch take a sip of water.
  • LERadicalDreamer
    LERadicalDreamer Posts: 61 Member
    I don't keep snacks in the house. As for stuff like nuts, i portion them out on a plate abd then put the bag away so I don't just keep grabbing for more.
  • laserturkey
    laserturkey Posts: 1,680 Member
    In addition to measuring out portions, you can keep your hands busy doing other things. Giving yourself a manicure will discourage snacking at least until the polish has dried.
  • oklahomascott
    oklahomascott Posts: 15
    the best thing to do is to finish off the box and don't buy it again, that's what i usually do. and jump on the treadmill
  • AwesomeSquirrel
    AwesomeSquirrel Posts: 644 Member
    I have to plate all my food in the kitchen and then take it away to eat (no seating in my kitchen). I also eliminate activities that lead to mindless snacking; for me the big downfall is watching TV/DVDs because it's a very passive action so I limit the time I spend on this or find something to fiddle with at the same time i.e. braiding my hair, writing a grocery list or just playing with a hairclip. If you are at all crafty I understand taking up something like knitting can help with situations like this,
  • yourenotmine
    yourenotmine Posts: 645 Member
    Knit. Garden. Keep your hands busy with something that doesn't allow eating at the same time. It's a good tactic to help break the habit.
  • SherryTeach
    SherryTeach Posts: 2,836 Member
    If you have a problem with any food in bulk, I suggest that you bag all cereal, nuts, etc. in individually portioned amounts. I use snack bags, which are half the size of a sandwich bag. Then lay out all the food you plan to eat that day. Put all the rest in an inaccessible location. You are less likely to go back and break into tomorrow's food if it is sorted and organized that way. Of course, weigh and measure everything you put in the bags. Right now I have bags of almonds , trail mix, granola, pita chips, crackers, jerky. It is all easy to throw a serving of something in my purse for an emergency.

    Otherwise, take up some hobbies that use your hands. I knit. It is hard to eat and knit at the same time. I have some lovely things now. I might also suggest turning off the TV. It is a mindless activity. When we spend our time in a mindless state, well, we do many things mindlessly.
  • HerBravado
    HerBravado Posts: 392 Member
    I have that SAME problem. I snack on cereal, especially Cheerios. But it's not exactly healthy when I sit there & eat the whole box.

    I drink water! 1 liter of ice cold water while I'm snacking. It helps fill me up so I won't go back for seconds. :)
  • sweetiebelle
    sweetiebelle Posts: 332 Member
    I had that problem last night so I grabbed a bowl of watermelon I ended up eat 5 cup lol my gosh I was stuffed but it was watermelon! (I was watching tv) that was better than eating a whole bag of chips! My husband bought them home. Bad bad!
  • poedunk65
    poedunk65 Posts: 1,336 Member
    yeah..STOP!!!!!
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    Measure out one cup ( or serving) and take that with you to the couch instead of the whole box.

    That. Only have one serving in front of you, not the entire box or bag.

    Sometimes looking at what one serving actually is, is enough to make me reconsider eating something. For instance, if I look at 100 calories of M&Ms, vs a 90 calorie chocolate chip granola bar, the granola bar looks like a lot more food for the calories. I'll still get the chocolate taste, but feel more satisfied.
  • failedspinster
    failedspinster Posts: 4
    Portioning your snacks out does help. I'm terrible for grazing, and the best thing for me has been to find substitute healthy snacks - so I can still eat a whole pack of something mindlessly if I want. Cherry tomatoes are good for this as they're bite-sized and the whole pack only sets you back 70 calories. I also love eating blackberries like this, and they're cheap at the moment as they're just coming into season.

    I like snacking and grazing, and I've never succeeded when I've tried to give it up in the past. This time, I'm finding ways to manage my snacking so I can still do it without compromising my weight loss :)
  • lwlock
    lwlock Posts: 33 Member
    Attach small electrical wires to the box of cereal. Or have a small rabid badger guard the box.



    Or used measured portions. That works too.
  • emmie0622
    emmie0622 Posts: 167 Member
    Chew sugarless gum!
  • pikselinka
    pikselinka Posts: 154 Member
    Because of the same problem of snacking I had to throw away all the snacks and stop buying ANY. So I can't eat them even if I'd like and I got used to it.
  • Amy911Gray
    Amy911Gray Posts: 685 Member
    Sudoku....It works for me!
  • otrlynn
    otrlynn Posts: 273 Member
    Measure out the snack and put the rest away. Then go log the calories. This should help you decide if you really want the snack, and certainly if you can afford to get up again and refill the bowl. Logging each and every thing that I put in my mouth is what keeps me from mindless snacking.
  • MinMin97
    MinMin97 Posts: 2,674 Member
    I had that problem last night so I grabbed a bowl of watermelon I ended up eat 5 cup lol my gosh I was stuffed but it was watermelon! (I was watching tv) that was better than eating a whole bag of chips! My husband bought them home. Bad bad!
    That's so funny!

    Yes, great tips in this thread.
    Gotta break this habit.
    You'll get this pattern interrupted, and eventually stop.

    Definitely good to have some purposeful snacks around that are nourishing and fun to eat.
    I like to keep Power Crunch bars
    A serving of Tortilla chips broiled with 1-2T cheese
    A small salad can be a great snack...my fav is quartered mushrooms, chunked up avocado and a sprinkle of soy sauce.
    A serving of plain greek yogurt sweetened with stevia and topped with a little chocolate sauce is pretty yummy.

    If anything, make your "snack" a little more interesting...then it won't be MINDLESS lol
  • cjvvus
    cjvvus Posts: 89 Member
    I totally understand had the same problem with blue corn chips. Try measured portions in snack bags. When you head towards the box immediately think of another task you have to do. If you buy the cereal for you don't buy it anymore. Put a bowl of fruit out and when reaching for the cereal grab some fruit. You will find something that works for you and you will stop. Don't be discouraged.
  • openairhealth
    openairhealth Posts: 10
    i like the idea someone suggested about leaving the room/temptation. just get out of there (out of sight, outta mind).

    maybe get something frozen that you are forced to pace yourself with until you are full? frozen iceblocks are nice. i freeze vitamin juice (one cup at a time). you could freeze orange juice or something like that. just throw a cup in the freezer and tomorrow's craving is catered for.
  • Tank_Girl
    Tank_Girl Posts: 372 Member
    If cereal is your vice stop buying it and buy porridge instead.. Pretty hard to eat porridge straight out of the box lol

    I really try not to buy snacks, I buy a small bag of nuts or fruit to curb my cravings although I caved in and bought a bag of babybels yesterday
  • jlsAhava
    jlsAhava Posts: 411 Member
    I definitely recommend portioning out your snacks in advance. If cereal is your snack of choice, then keep single serving size portions at the ready so you can mindlessly grab one serving rather than mindlessly grabbing the whole box and who knows how many servings?! Even if you go back for a second helping, you'll be able to record it in your food log and modify the rest of your day accordingly.

    I find that portioning out the servings in advance is especially helpful with things I would eat by the handful (and usually consider to be treats): pretzel M&Ms, plantain chips (YUM!), chocolate covered berries, etc. Instead of having an open bag from which I grab an unmeasured handful(or more), I just reach in and grab a plastic baggie with a single serving... Since I've prepackaged the food earlier, I don't have to exert much brain power when there isn't much brain power to be had. But I'm still able to mindfully include the items in my log.

    Best of luck!
  • Helloitsdan
    Helloitsdan Posts: 5,564 Member
    Prelog your food the day before and stick to it.

    Also....dont do the 1200cal diet.
    =D
  • sc1572
    sc1572 Posts: 2,309 Member
    Stay away from the kitchen! I try drinking water or green tea, and keeping my hands busy. Read, take a bath, go for a walk, exercise, play with pets, play a game, do a puzzle, paint your nails, etc. :)

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