Boredom eating

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jomarise
jomarise Posts: 10 Member
in Motivation and Support
I really struggle when at home on a Monday and Friday (when I am not working) and want to eat everything in sight. Is anyone else a boredom eater? Do you have any tips?

Feel free to add me.
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Replies

  • urloved33
    urloved33 Posts: 3,323 Member
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    I am a boredom eater too. I have no tips but I wish I did. I have no idea how to cope with this. I am exhausted from keeping myself busy so I won't eat or smoke. (i do both when bored)
  • melly0405
    melly0405 Posts: 215 Member
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    If you're lucky enough to like or be able to tolerate raw veggies they are great to snack on ( for me unfortunately I don't like raw veggies so I tend to go for something unhealthy. Try chewing gum, popcorn is a fairly decent amount of food to munch on for not too too many calories. Pre planning your meals and snacks and if possible rid your house of any unhealthy snacks if you can. If you can distractions such as phoning a friend, taking a walk, doing a puzzle or even taking a long hot bath. Whatever you do its a day to day struggle and all we can do is take it one decision at a time.
  • attemptingfierce
    attemptingfierce Posts: 23 Member
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    I find that like PP suggested raw veggies REALLY helped me. I like carrots & cucumbers with hummus or a bit of ranch. Drinking water. Air Popped popcorn isn't bad either if you have the serious munchies.
  • jsobole
    jsobole Posts: 139 Member
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    Easily my biggest struggle - when I'm busy I have to remember to eat! I'm trying to just drink water when those moods strike!
  • Lizzy622
    Lizzy622 Posts: 3,705 Member
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    I started to crochet to keep my hands busy and away from getting snacks.
  • vvallentyne
    vvallentyne Posts: 77 Member
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    herbal tea helps me out.
  • ruthordare
    ruthordare Posts: 4 Member
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    I am a boredom eater... and also a stress eater. While I certainly don't have it all figured out (down 14 pounds with 36 to go) what has helped me a lot was to simply decide I would not snack. If you get feeling shaky or light-headed, sure, your body is telling you it NEEDS food right now. (But 10 weeks in, and I haven't ever gotten to that point.) Otherwise, I only eat at mealtimes. I've found that drinking TONS of water helps, and chewing gum. I've discovered the Extra brand Dessert Delights- I quite enjoy the mint chocolate chip and cinnamon roll flavors! I also drink hot tea or coffee when I am really craving something snacky. Especially at night, I'll brew a small pot of decaff coffee, add a little Splenda and some coffee creamer, and I feel so much more satisfied. But so much of it is the mental battle!
  • Alidecker
    Alidecker Posts: 1,262 Member
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    I m a boredom eater too, I try and keep busy, but sometimes it is the boredom at work...when I have plenty to do, but its the stuff I don't want to do, so I find something else to do, which is eat. This problem is in the mornings, between breakfast and lunch. In the afternoon, after lunch, I am fine. Most likely because I have to do all the stuff I put off in the morning. It is a horrible cycle that I need to break.
  • diannethegeek
    diannethegeek Posts: 14,776 Member
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    I found a decaf tea that I like to drink in the evenings. No special properties, it just gives me that same hand-to-mouth feeling that boredom eating would without the calories.
  • nono706
    nono706 Posts: 25 Member
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    I have a list of suggestions posted on my fridge for when I'm feeling snacky.
    Go outside
    Meditation
    Manicure
    Drink water
    Take vitamins
    Drink tea

    If I try all those things and I'm still hungry, I fix myself a snack. Lately I've been entering my meals into my diary in the morning, so I have a plan for what I'm going to eat and know how many calories I have left for my mid afternoon snack. Then I look at my macros and see what direction I need to adjust.

    I often have dark chocolate, air popped popcorn with nutritional yeast, or a frozen yogurt bar.
  • SherryTeach
    SherryTeach Posts: 2,836 Member
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    If you are bored, figure out how you are spending your time that is boring. For me that means that I do not watch T.V. I read great books, knit, play the piano, walk my dog, zentangle, do Rosetta Stone language programs, practice photography. I do not understand boredom.
  • yayamom3
    yayamom3 Posts: 939 Member
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    Lizzy622 wrote: »
    I started to crochet to keep my hands busy and away from getting snacks.

    Me too! I went to the craft store and bought a hook and yarn. Then got on YouTube and learned how. It occupies both my mind and my hands.
  • natboosh69
    natboosh69 Posts: 276 Member
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    Having recently quit smoking, I make sure I have a constant supply of chewing gum, which also helps the urge to snack and pick.

    I also agree with doing something to prevent boredom like reading, starting a new TV series, gaming etc.
  • 4legsRbetterthan2
    4legsRbetterthan2 Posts: 19,590 MFP Moderator
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    best solution i have found is to stop being bored, find something to do

    going for a brisk walk helps me, something to do and exercise is usually a temporary appetite suppressant for me
  • emdeesea
    emdeesea Posts: 1,823 Member
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    I guess the only tip that worked for me is to be aware of my behavior. Ask myself am I really hungry or am I thirsty or just bored. Drink a big glass of water first, or a hot cup of black tea, then reevaluate. If it's boredom I find something to occupy myself. Read, go for a walk, do something that needs to be done, etc.
  • beamer0821
    beamer0821 Posts: 488 Member
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    i have a similar issue i eat out of boredom or avoidance. its not that i have nothing to do but i want to avoid my to-do list.
    i find trying to maintain an eating schedule like i would on a work day helps. eat a normal breakfast eat a normal lunch instead of snacking. plan for an afternoon pick me up snack. sometimes when i have a plan as simple as that it helps.
    and keep busy. maybe thats getting out of the house. library, shopping, walk outside, sit outside, listen to a podcast.
  • kamakazeekim
    kamakazeekim Posts: 1,183 Member
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    I cut up celery, bell peppers, cucumbers, melons, apples, grapes, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, pineapple, oranges and pea pods and snack on them when I feel like boredom eating. If I can, like when I am at home, I will go for a walk, read a book, knit, clean, or go on mfp forums to help prevent me from eating.
  • allaboutthecake
    allaboutthecake Posts: 1,533 Member
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    Sucking on a lemon drop helps. Its in the mouth, keeps the saliva going, and its not that many calories. I like to go for 3-4 mi walks too. Gets me out of the house. Put in an iPod & listen to talk radio.
  • beamer0821
    beamer0821 Posts: 488 Member
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    ditto pp. forgot about the hard candy. i will do that sometimes too..curbs the sweet tooth and it takes awhile to finish.
  • missmegonline
    missmegonline Posts: 15 Member
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    Unfortunately, I'm also a stress and boredom eater. There are a lot of good suggestions on here. I know diet soda is the devil around here but I sometimes sip on a Diet Dr. Pepper or fountain drink and it feels like I've got a treat for the afternoon. Herbal tea is great and gum. Utilizing both of these tools at the moment! :) Getting moving and out the door or focused on a task will keep me busy, too.

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