Carbs trigger me sooo bad.

I have to stay away from sweets or it's over.

I bribe myself with a scoop of ice cream. I pre-log it in the morning, and as long as I stay away from cereal, cookies, granola bars, and cake, I get that reward.

It I eat a granola bar, it's too much like candy, and then I kind of go out of control.

Plain oatmeal has helped a lot. And plain hot-air pop corn.

The blandless sort of... dulls the urge? I hink it bores my tastebuds so they don't get all excited and squeal CAKE! MORE CAKE!

Well I try to cook in large batches about once a week, not always very successful at that.

Snacks are really easy when not up for cooking. I like to combine a fruit, veggie, or starch with a protein/fat. Here are some things I pick regularly that require little or no prep.

Fruit, veggie, starch
Piece of fruit or 1/2 cup fruit
Mini peppers (about 6-9) or one colored pepper
1 cup steamed veggies (I use a microwave steaming tray and it takes about 30 sec to cut up and then 2.15 min to steam) - I like broccoli, cauliflower, or zucchini squash (will put some kind of spices like lemon pepper or cayenne on the squash)
Cucumber (just eat it whole, don't even need to slice!)
Grape tomatoes 1/2-1 cup
Popcorn
Healthy (low sugar) granola 1/2 cup
Roasted seaweed (1 box) from costco
Baby carrots (1/2 cup)
Chopped broccoli salad

+

Protein/fat
Mozzarella (e.g., one string cheese stick)
Cottage cheese
1 oz of other cheese
Yogurt
1 serving nuts (e.g., 23 almonds)
1/2 cup coconut chips (I get at whole foods - super yum)
Hummus
Peanut/almond/cashew butter

One of my favorite snacks is a caprese salad, which I just add together tomatoes, mozzarella, some fresh basil, and pour balsamic vinegar on top.

If I'm less organized I'll eat a larabar.

For actual meals when do not have time/energy to prepare I will go for an easy sandwich such as a tortilla or wrap, a little bit of hummus for flavor, 3-4oz of turkey, and kale, tomatoes, etc. The protein portion can be the more challenging, sometimes I will buy a lightly prepared protein at a deli/hot bar like they have at Whole Foods or Mariano's. Usually the hot bars have the same price for all of the items, and I think the proteins are the best deal. I recently bought about 8 oz of tilapia at Mariano's for $6/lb so that will be my protein for 2 meals. Another option is to get a frozen dinner and then add extra veggies and perhaps a little bit of fat (e.g. brocolli with some olive oil).

I hope this gives you some ideas. I'd love to hear what else people do!

I would encourage balance - or atleast dont go all "atkins" on your diet. But I will say that I have been adding more and more protein - and protein does stay with you longer. But when I go too heavy on protein, my body starts cravings carbs - but of course, I run 50-70 miles a week, so carbs for energy are essential.

I do beans or other legumes (black-eyed peas/lentil soup) in a slow-cooker and then freeze in pint jars to take for my lunches (2 servings). I also love a 1/2 avocado filled with red-pepper or garlic hummus, topped with chopped veggies. Very fast to prep ahead of time and then keep in fridge for a few days in eat several days in a row.

I am currently on high protein meal replacements through a doctor facilitated program and I still binge. I will also say, however, that the binges are smaller. Honestly, this is mostly because the supplements provide 100% perfect nutrition so they have curbed my cravings substantially. The idea behind the protein is to keep you fuller longer and to help maintain muscle while losing weight. But as science shows and my doctors and dietitians tell me, meals that are well-balanced are what should minimize a physical desire to binge because it's feeding everything your body needs, thereby improving your urge to have any one particular type of food.