Snacking...HELP!
braymommy
Posts: 2
Ok, seriously...I need to know how to stop snacking! (Especially at work, when I'm BORED, and at night after my son goes to bed!) Anyone have any tips???
THANKS!
THANKS!
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Replies
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I could use some tips too! Seems like after all the kids are in bed, I start in on all the snacking!!!!! AHHHHHH!0
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I find the best way for me to not snack is to not have any available! I've stopped keeping snack foods at work and at home I try to only have healthy snack foods.0
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If you feel the need to snack, especially at work, maybe make sure you have lots of veggies handy, so that's all you will eat. Self control is the key. Good luck.0
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I can relate... I had a terrible night after kids went to bed fighting the munchies. I did much on ok stuff but feel so guilt ridden today. We can encourage each other to get back on track0
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Raw vegetables (low carb) without dip and popcorn. Also drink lots of water!! In the evening I chew sugarless gum or brush my teeth to keep me from eatting.0
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I learned this from reading someone else's post. I drink some beef or chicken broth (you can buy it already made and fat free, low sodium if you want) and it's only 20-30 calories a cup, and I dip some multi-grain saltines in the juice. Tastes pretty good and lets me get the crunchy feel of the saltines (snacking) in. I usually have enough calories left over at end of day to have one or two servings of this at night during the prime snacking hours. Good luck!0
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trash all the food you dont want to eat..
i know you spend money on it but... it's like paying for weight!?0 -
I learned this from reading someone else's post. I drink some beef or chicken broth (you can buy it already made and fat free, low sodium if you want) and it's only 20-30 calories a cup, and I dip some multi-grain saltines in the juice. Tastes pretty good and lets me get the crunchy feel of the saltines (snacking) in. I usually have enough calories left over at end of day to have one or two servings of this at night during the prime snacking hours. Good luck!
good idea... a nice HERBAL tea with animal cookies is a sweet option?!0 -
Get rid of the snack foods! It's too easy to give in to the temptation. Try replacing the junk with baby carrots or celery or if you really need a snack factor it in to your calories and consume one serving slowly. It's a matter of will power...you can do it!0
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*WATER water water! If you get sick of water, alternate lots of ice, fresh lime or lemon, nestea singles in moderation etc to change it up! I find my mindless need to snack is due to thirst sometimes.
* Eat more at meals. Upping your protein to half your body weight (so if you weigh 100 pounds, get 50g of protein min) will help you stay more satisfied.
*get rid of your worst offender snacks.
*cut up fruit and veggies for quick grabs.
*celery and hummus (measure hummus first) is good for mindless crunching
*Try and plan your day out ahead. At lunch i try and log my dinner and then i know how much room i have left for snacks.0 -
I have that same problem!! I have only been at this for a week but I thought ahead on this one. First if you’re a snacker you need to think of that when you’re planning your calorie intake for the day and You need to leave room for your snacks and then you need to find healthy snacks. 94% fat free snack size popcorn or the 100 calorie snack packs and my all-time fav is the no sugar added fudge pops.
You just need to think ahead and you will have it made. Just don’t eat just before going to bed. I snack no later than two hr's while watching a little TV and doing laundry or light house work.
Good luck!!0 -
While at work ..like said earlier snack on fruits and veggies, or popcorn..but the key to what I have done is if I really want something that I probably should not have I eat it but I only eat the recommended serving size ... and if I feel guilty about eating it I just work out a lil longer or hard the same or next day.0
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whenever I'm feeling like I want to snack, I go have a glass of cold water first!
Generally i feel full and then get distracted on to another task! If you eat anything after 8 PM ~ try almonds, crunchy, salty and
fulfilling. Hang in there... the Mental part is most our battle!0 -
If you feel the need to snack, especially at work, maybe make sure you have lots of veggies handy, so that's all you will eat. Self control is the key. Good luck.
Great advice!! With snacking, we'll nibble on what's available... so make available great choices for those moments when temptation strikes! LoL!
One little thing I've learned to do, is grab water FIRST... when I'm itchin' to nibble on something while I'm in my office. I'll drink some water FIRST, then sometimes I'll go ahead & snack, sometimes I won't. Either way, I'm getting my water, and if I DO snack, it's not as much... and the water helps with digestion. WIN - WIN!
(Did I mention my boss keeps a full candy dish... Saboteur!!) LMBO!!
:bigsmile: Angie0 -
Chew gum! I kind of blew off this suggestion at first, but I know it helps me now! At night I tend to mindlessly snack, but when I reach for that snack and realize I have gum already in my mouth triggers my brain into the "what are you doing, put that down you don't need to eat that" kind of mode haha. Also sipping on really hot tea0
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Snacking really isnt the problem, its what your snacking on,
I snack all day long at work and I am never hungry, I bring grapes, baby carrots, low fat yogurt to mix with a little Bear Naked granola, I chew lots of gum, hard boiled eggs, apple with all natural peanut butter. You get the idea, I occasionally get a Cliff bar or all natural granola bars but those can have alot of sugar in them so be careful. Eat as much fruit and veggies since those are so good for you and non fattening. And make sure to drink plenty water sometimes what feels like hunger can be thirst.
Hope this helps The idea is to keep yourself from feeling hungry and not give into cravings at that moment.0 -
I could use some tips too! Seems like after all the kids are in bed, I start in on all the snacking!!!!! AHHHHHH!
This used to be me!! Its a hard habit to break. At first I tried just veggies or an apple. Lots of gum or tea. Now I just try to remind myself once I start, I won't stop. If I am truly hungry then I do have some homemade veggie "zero point" soup on hand but the majority of the time it was never hunger, it was my way to wind down, my me time after caring for kids all day.
Its gotten easier now, but I still have a night or two where I have to avoid looking at the kitchen and keep chanting that I'm not hungry, once I start it'll turn into a binge, I WILL regret it tomorrow and so on.
Take it hour by hour and good luck!0 -
For the evening temptations:
I brush my teeth after dinner and then chew sugarless gum in the evening to satisfy my need to chew. I've also taken the habit of taking a 20-min walk in the evening, when possible, which gets me focused on something else. If nothing seems to work, I usually have plain rice cakes or plain homemade air-popped popcorn, or crackers if I can't curve my salt cravings. Just keep it light! You certainly don't want to eat a lot of calories it's too late to burn off...
Good luck! :ohwell: :flowerforyou:0 -
Nothing is wrong with snacking. Its what ur eating that might be the problem. I eat carrots, alot. Or a air popped bowl of popcorn with low cal yogurt butter. To work I bring 2 snacks, maybe almonds& grapes, that I eat half way between breakfast and lunch and then one in afternoon too. Or I can munch on them one or two at a time all throughout those time periods. I also have something in my lunch, such as carrots or a fruit cup (sugar free) that I could eat early if im really hungry, or save for the next day, or later in the afternoon in case I get more hungry, or just eat it with my lunch like I had planned. If u don't like what ur snacking on, then throw that stuff away. I have a 3rd snack at night after dinner and how large it is depends on how many calories I have left...usually the popcorn or carrots, but if I have a sweet tooth I might do a sugar free pudding or strawberries with sug free whip cream. If I want something crunchy I might measure out a 1/4 cup of my cereal, or nuts. Salty I might do a nabisco brand 100cal ritz snack mix...all types of options but only u decide what u eat0
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I am a snacker, I must have them. At work I chew gum if I want a snack too close after eating breakfast or lunch. I bring my snacks to work to stay away from the vending machines. I usually snack on pretzels, cheese and 2 fruits at work. When I get home I must have a snack every night after my daughter goes to bed. Using MFP, I track what I eat so I can gauge how many calories I can have for a snack every night. Depending on my exercise level that day, my bedtime snacks range from popcorn, ice cream, sorbert, cheese or fruit. My husband always has cookies and chips around but eating only 2 cookies is the same amount of calories on indulging in a scoop of ice cream on a cone. The key for me is to stick to serving sizes. I am managing to still drop at least a pound a week (my goal) and keep snacking smartly. When I go grocery shopping I make sure to pick up snacks that are under 200 calories so I can have options. Oh, and sometimes I just eat plain cereal for a sweet kick.0
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I usually have a snack in the mid-morning and late afternoon, between meals. Usually a grapefruit or apple, and maybe a granola bar or some light crackers. Whatever the case, I just make sure I keep my portions in check, record the calories and pay attention to what else I eat. When I absolutely have a sweet craving, I allow myself a mini dark chocolate because that is the only dessert I ever allow myself. It satisfies my craving right away. Snacking can actually be good for your diet if you avoid things really high in fat and calories, and keep in mind how it affects your daily intake of calories. I'm a big believer in rewarding yourself in moderation.0
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Drink a full glass of water before you snack on anything. If you are still hungry after the full class of cold water, go for something protein, like a handful of peanuts, or maybe just a piece or fruit.0
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I tend to distract myself.. I have a calorie burn counter that I wear daily and when I get in the mood to munch I remind myself that I have dishes, laundry, homework, organizing.. LOTS of things I can do with my time and my energy that are benificial to my health. Snacking is not :P I can watch my calorie burn numbers go up and it's very motivating.
I know when temptation strikes it can be hard to turn and look the other way but honestly I've noticed that once I get my mind set on taking care of this task or that, within minutes the craving is gone and I'm zoned in on getting stuff done! My husband is definitely pleased with the trick, Lol.
It's important to remember every move you make burns cals, the more you keep yourself busy, the less you will feel the need to snack. Once you've finished up all your chores you can remember that you fought all the "craving battles" through the day, you're not about to lose the war now!! :P
But, If I'm really dying to munch I usually go for a cheese snack (Land o Lakes Mild cheddar cheese snacks- individually packaged so its hard to indulge!), jalepeno stuffed peppers, something bold thats going to rock my taste buds and hopefully put my cravings to bed :P0 -
Ummm....I hadn't thought about the herbal tea and animal crackers. Putting that on grocery list right now.0
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You should snack throughout the day...it keeps your metabolism going. That being said...you still need to watch the calories. The posts about veggies is a good idea (if you like them and it leaves you feeling satisfied)...for me...this would never work. I eat 6 meals a day. One of my favorite snacks is 2 salt free rice cakes (70 calories) with either 2 tbsp hummus, 2 tbsp natural organic peanut butter, or 2 triangles of light laughing cow cheese spread on them. The peanut butter is more calories than the other...but if you're craving sweets, it helps.0
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I know lots of folks say throw out the snack food, but if you're like me, that won't work:
1. If you have kids around, you'll have snacks around
2. If I don't have snacks around and I get the munchies, I'm just going to eat some non-snack food
Here's what I do:
First, when you do buy snack foods, buy stuff you don't really care for but which your kids like.
Second, make sure you have no or low calorie drinks around. I love peppermint tea and flavored seltzer. As summer approaches, you might want to get in the habit of brewing a large pot of tea and keeping it in the fridge.
Third, find something to keep your hands busy. I like to knit and crochet, and neither mixes with sticky fingers.
Good luck!0 -
GRAPES AND BERRIES! I am a huge snacker. I lost a lot of weight after my first child was born, and it was partially by switching my snacks to grapes and berries. You get to pop them in your mouth, they're satisfyingly sweet and juicy, and you get a lot of bang for your snacking buck. Also, you can try to fit a snack of sugar free Jello-O pudding into your day. I love the chocolate-- it usually hits the sweet spot.0
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I keep things around to snack on, like fruit, almonds, etc., and prepare them ahead of time so I can just grab them. Slice up the carrots or celery, measure out one ounce portions of almonds and put them in snack-size baggies, have my measuring spoons clean so I can measure out 2 tbsp of peanut butter, hummus, etc. THAT helps a LOT with eating the right amounts of the right things.
Also, I do NOT keep junk in the house - too tempting! In order to have any junk food, I have to actually MAKE it - usually not worth it!0 -
I think your snacking urge at night is a desire for attention -- you've spent the whole day attending to everyone else! It's time for you. You're probably exhausted, so a leisurely walk is out of the question, and most of us do not have a hot tub.
I suggest a long, hot bath with favorite music, candles, and small glass of red wine (4 oz. glass). It will provide the endorphins and relaxation that you crave.0 -
you can buy this popcorn bowl at target so that you don't need an air popper
you just buy popcorn kernels in it in the microwave, no butter or oil,... and less calories and way cheaper than buying microwave popcorn... all for a BIG serving!
4 cups of airpopped popcorn is about 100 calories.
then i buy these popcorn flavors in a shaker, the directions say to sprtiz your popcorn with oil so that the flavor sticks... but i just bought a water spray bottle, fill it with hot water, spritz the popcorn then sprinkle the flavor on it.
the flavor SAYS 0 calories on it, but a serving size is just a few shakes... so I assume that several shakes adds SOME calories...
but you end up with a BIG bowl of flavored popcorn (butter, ranch, garlic, cheese, there are lots of flavors...) for about 100 calories.
and it's crunchy!0
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