Tips to stop mindless eating!

I agree with Cupcake. Its a mental thing. I used to be the same way. Now I eat every 2 hours, so I'm never really hungry. Although, you're never really hungry when you're snacking either... Try sugar free gum and mints. They tend to last to the next small meal. Best of luck hun!

For me, it is definitely a mind thing...boredom mostly. It is something that I am struggling with currently. Chewing gum has helped me break the habit before. It gives my mouth something to do without the calories.

Great idea! Last night, I was working on my computer and having a "snack". I had some taco dip and some tortilla chips. Next thing I know, I look down and half of the jar of dip is gone. A piece of gum would have kept my mouth busy. lol

By pre-logging, do you mean like setting out your day and sticking to it? I used to do that but just let it slip - I'll set out tomorrow now and stick to it. And thanks for all the gum tips - that's something I hadn't even thought about! Hopefully that'll crack down on it fingers crossed. It would be so gutting to lose the weight and them put it all straight back on again! Thanks guys

Yes, I log everything I plan to eat for the day, then if something comes up and I end up going out, I can back out what I've logged and I know what I have left to work with.

Out of sight, out of mind. Or at least, not in front of me = won't scarf it down. I try to keep snacks in the house to a minimum and when I can't, I put them up on the way highest shelf in the kitchen. Having things that aren't going to fall at eye level can really help.

Water is also a great option, aside from gum. Keep a big water bottle near you all day, and just sip on that. It'll give you something mindless to do, plus it's super healthy!

Before you reach for those sweets or chips, ask yourself are you eating cause you are hungry or because you are bored?
It helped me get in the mindset of eating with control

I was working on my computer and having a "snack". I had some taco dip and some tortilla chips. Next thing I know, I look down and half of the jar of dip is gone. A piece of gum would have kept my mouth busy. lol

the packages/bags/containers don't leave my kitchen. If I want chips, I portion out one serving (lol ok sometimes 2) into a bowl, same with any dip, and bring that to the couch or wherever I'm snacking. When I'm done...I'm done.

I will buy myself one treat a week, at the moment it's a bag of sweet n salty popcorn, I can either make it last a few evenings or eat it in one go, but when it's gone it's gone, until next weeks treat.

Something else I try is distraction, if I paint my nails I can't pick at food for fear of smudging my nails, or I'll also go and brush my teeth, I don't want to eat after that, I also like to lock myself in the bathroom and treat myself to a nice relaxing facial.

Another thing to try is working out how long it will take to burn of the item you are about to eat, I think twice about eating a biscuit as I know it takes me 15mins on the rowing machine to burn just one biscuit.

Good luck.

Even if you don't prelog your entire day, if you commit to prelogging before you put something in your mouth, at least that takes away a bit of of the "mindless" factor. You have to think about it, whether it's worth it or not. It does take action on your part. I even tried taking it a step further ... I bought an app called "meal snap" where you take a picture of your "meal" (or snack ). It keeps a photo food diary and even gives you calorie estimates based on the picture and description (I still logged in MFP, as it often wasn't that accurate, more just for fun for me on the calorie count). It did help me though, because again, I had to do it before I ate. It just wasn't worth it to get my phone and take a picture of a single piece of candy, and I didn't really want the photographic proof. I couldn't eat out of a bag, I had to have my portion presentable for the picture. I don't know that I'll do it every day, but it was a good thing for me to try.