How on earth do I stop the after dinner snacking?!

Bubblywendy
Bubblywendy Posts: 32 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I can't help eating snacks straight after dinner! Crackers, peanut butter, crisps, yoghurt, just whatever I have in my house. Calories wise its like a eat 2 meals at once, my normal dinner (550 cals) then snacks (400)... This is really bad for my diet but I can't take my hands... I already tried drinking tea and chewing gum.. It doesn't work...

Any tips, tricks, or words of wisdom?! :)
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Replies

  • mperrott2205
    mperrott2205 Posts: 737 Member
    Yes.

    Get some self control.
  • OneWildAndPreciousLife
    OneWildAndPreciousLife Posts: 282 Member
    Are you still hungry after eating dinner, or do you just snack out of habit? Maybe try eating a bigger dinner, or eating dinner later?
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    You don't have to stop. You can eat less during the day leaving you enough cals to fit those snacks in.
  • laceylucas86
    laceylucas86 Posts: 120
    I can't stop after dinner snacking, I plan for it, I make sure that my portions are normal or mabey smaller than normal then I plan my snacks, I have one every night after I put my son to bed, about 2 hours before I go to bed myself, just make sure it fits within your daily calorie budget and it really wont hurt you. I usually go for frozen yogurt :) or a bowl of cereal
  • bernicesmission
    bernicesmission Posts: 100
    Yes.

    Get some self control.
    so helpful!
    maybe your not eating enough for dinner, or you need to eat more filling foods!
  • jaynecaron5
    jaynecaron5 Posts: 1 Member
    I spread my daily calories a little thinner so I have calories for that night time snacking. Usually I have pretzels (counted) and one chocolate - it satisfies that need.
  • ames105
    ames105 Posts: 288 Member
    Make sure you are eating something filling at dinner. Then, just don't do it. I find distraction works well for me. Go for a walk, clean up the house (stay out of the kitchen). Play with the family, ride a bike. Just don't sit there and think about the snacking. You got this!
  • itsjustdawn
    itsjustdawn Posts: 1,073 Member
    What's your calorie goal?
  • NonnyMary
    NonnyMary Posts: 982 Member
    I can't help eating snacks straight after dinner! Crackers, peanut butter, crisps, yoghurt, just whatever I have in my house. Calories wise its like a eat 2 meals at once, my normal dinner (550 cals) then snacks (400)... This is really bad for my diet but I can't take my hands... I already tried drinking tea and chewing gum.. It doesn't work...

    Any tips, tricks, or words of wisdom?! :)

    Stop eating that kind of food. Dont purchase it either. That food seems to be the kind that you cant just stop at one, coz it tastes good. Since you cant just stop at one, dont even start. I also believe the manufacturers of that food make it so good that you want more. it has ingredients that dont satisfy you , it makes you want more.

    so just say no and problem solved. substitute something else more filling like fiber. Also stop doing whatever you are doing while eating snacks. if its your watching tv, and you have to have mindless snacking, then get up and dont watch tv, but do something that gets you away from it.
  • doomspark
    doomspark Posts: 228 Member
    One obvious (to me) solution is to get rid of the unhealthy snacks and replace with things that are better for you such as celery sticks.
  • JennaM222
    JennaM222 Posts: 1,996 Member
    don't start!!
  • jolinemariem
    jolinemariem Posts: 462 Member
    I try to eat a filling late dinner if I really need a snack I eat these little 150 cal cups I found in the freezer isle with graham cracker bottom then chocolate or strawberry middle with a little whip cream on the top its normally my desert
  • WalkingMermaid_
    WalkingMermaid_ Posts: 205 Member
    I'm also an evening eater, and the ONLY thing that works for me is by saving about 60-70% of my calories for 6pm and onwards. So I basically eat light throughout the day and then look forward to eating a big meal with a few evening snacks. I also walk in the evenings and that helps too :)
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  • Jimaudit
    Jimaudit Posts: 275
    Maybe have a protein snack an hour prior to dinner and then have dinner a little later. Keep away from the kitchen once dishes are done. Go into your bedroom or take a shower or something to get away from that area of the house.
  • Creative_Sam
    Creative_Sam Posts: 51 Member
    I have the same problem. I find it challenging to not snack after dinner.
    It's a war in my head that goes on and on.

    The only thing that works for me - is distraction.
    I snack because I'm bored, or watching TV. So I go to gym in the evenings now, and allow myself a zero calorie jelly or instant pudding just before bed.
    But for me - distraction is key.

    ETA: I snack out of habit - it's not because I'm hungry. This often leads to me eating excessive amounts of calories.
  • jetlag
    jetlag Posts: 800 Member
    I can't stop after dinner snacking, I plan for it, I make sure that my portions are normal or mabey smaller than normal then I plan my snacks, I have one every night after I put my son to bed, about 2 hours before I go to bed myself, just make sure it fits within your daily calorie budget and it really wont hurt you. I usually go for frozen yogurt :) or a bowl of cereal

    This.

    Save some calories for some snacks in the evening, then you don't have to stop. You might find it's the "I can't have anything else to eat" mentality that's making you want to snack anyway.
  • tanyadolan1
    tanyadolan1 Posts: 55 Member
    I tend to drink loads of water which I find helps
  • 03067263
    03067263 Posts: 2
    I can't help eating snacks straight after dinner! Crackers, peanut butter, crisps, yoghurt, just whatever I have in my house. Calories wise its like a eat 2 meals at once, my normal dinner (550 cals) then snacks (400)... This is really bad for my diet but I can't take my hands... I already tried drinking tea and chewing gum.. It doesn't work...

    Any tips, tricks, or words of wisdom?! :)

    Are you eating the right things at dinner?

    As for snacking, you need to stop it for just a few days for it to become easier to repeat, one day at a time, each day better than the last.

    Also, as erickirb has posted, you don't have to stop, you can make space for snacks in your eating plan, however you will have to reduce something else in order to meet you calorific goal.

    Keep at it, eat right and don't lie to yourself about how much you are eating.
  • murphey21
    murphey21 Posts: 126 Member
    Trust me its very hard, I try to allow myself around 200 calories for an after dinner snack and keep drinking my water. Usually I will have something thats kind of sweet like a dessert but satisfies my sweet tooth. My favorites are a vitatop with a tablespoon of peanut butter on it or a mini pretzel bagel with a tablespoon of peanut butter on it. My other snack I like is a bag of the 100 calorie popcorn. I have to have a snack after dinner, but as long as I allow for it and track it, it all works out.
  • Allyoopadoop
    Allyoopadoop Posts: 30 Member
    I've been in that position before and I thought I could never stop. I then started taking some supplements that helped me curb what felt like out of control hunger for me. Those supplements include magnesium glycinate, L-Glutamine, Bifido mixture, and a product called Crave Control Plus. I buy them from a place that I've taken wellness classes from and that I trust to have clean products. It took about 2 months of taking the products daily until I felt that I was back in control. It was scary to me feel so out of control and I was worried that I would always be ruled by this compelling urge to eat. I am so glad I am now much more in control of my eating. I hope this helps.
  • hellohappycarla
    hellohappycarla Posts: 85 Member
    You don't have to stop. You can eat less during the day leaving you enough cals to fit those snacks in.

    This. And don't buy any more calorie empty snacks, instead opt for the lite or 0% fat versions in yogurt, dark chocolate, etc. At least if you'll be snacking, you won't be as guilty. =)
  • fishgutzy
    fishgutzy Posts: 2,807 Member
    On workout days (which is most days) I often have another 1000+ kCals to consume after dinner.
    So my answer would be exercise more, then the after dinner snacking isn't over eating :bigsmile:
  • pkw58
    pkw58 Posts: 2,038 Member
    I agree this is tough one but my husband and I have both stopped snacking at night . We pulled a Nike and "Just Did IT" and continue to Just do it.
  • SStruthers13
    SStruthers13 Posts: 150 Member
    Incorporate those calories into your daily allotment. If you peek at my diary I ate ice cream and Doritos as one of my 4 meals and never went over my calories. I just made sure the other meals I had were healthy so I had proper nutrition.

    Perfection Is not reasonable because humans are imperfect creatures but we can deal with our perfections.
  • JLN1974
    JLN1974 Posts: 104 Member
    What are you doing while you're snacking? I used to always snack while watching TV. By the time I get home from work, get the kids to bed and cook my dinner it is at least 8.00, so I veg in front of the TV for the last couple of hours. My husband works late so I am at home alone & often bored but can't go anywhere because the kids are asleep.
    But I associated TV with eating so just carried on from dinner until bedtime. Gradually I have broken the link between the two, so I eat dinner and then if I am watching TV I don't have to eat. I find other things to occupy my hands - jobs like folding washing or tidying up etc. And then get myself a cup of tea midway through the evening to break it up. I no longer seem to snack as much.
  • Hellbent_Heidi
    Hellbent_Heidi Posts: 3,669 Member
    Brush your teeth...go for a walk....find something to do with yourself.

    Aside from that - getting that junk food out of your house would help too (if its not there, you can't eat it!
  • graysmom2005
    graysmom2005 Posts: 1,882 Member
    I will make a decaf with some sugar free flavored creamer. Helps take the edge off. And sugar free jello with a little redi whip.
  • zichab
    zichab Posts: 1,492 Member
    I can't help eating snacks straight after dinner! Crackers, peanut butter, crisps, yoghurt, just whatever I have in my house. Calories wise its like a eat 2 meals at once, my normal dinner (550 cals) then snacks (400)... This is really bad for my diet but I can't take my hands... I already tried drinking tea and chewing gum.. It doesn't work...

    Any tips, tricks, or words of wisdom?! :)

    My husband has this same issue and has decided not to fight it. He simply changed his "after dinner snacking" to things like celery, carrots, single serving pretzels, small Greek yogurt etc which have less calories, but give him the salty, creamy and/or crunchy things he seems to crave. Don't fight it as it seems that some people simply have very strong evening cravings and if you fight it, you will feel "deprived" and over eat. Just work with it by choosing food that give you the sensation you are wishing for without all the calories. It should go without saying that you need to include these calories and still keep within your daily allowance. Hope this helps. :smile:
  • Tessyloowhoo
    Tessyloowhoo Posts: 504
    Make your own "snack box" for the day!
    Put all the healthy food you want to allow yourself for snacks in a big Tupperware in the fridge and log it at the beginning of the day. Once the snack box is gone YOUR DONE. If you want to save all the snacks till after dinner that is fine but you won't get them during the day.

    (Pre-planning your snacks makes you make healthy decisions and of course its fine to throw one bag of pretzels in your snack box but fill the rest with fruits, nuts, and food you will be PROUD of eating.)

    Honestly this is the best advice i could ever give someone who over eats like i do! Please try it!

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