When the munchies set in...3 PM edition

seasicksquid
seasicksquid Posts: 73 Member
edited November 14 in Health and Weight Loss
I don't know if it's just me, but I have the hardest time not munching throughout the afternoons. I typically eat breakfast at 8 and lunch at 12, but by 2 or 3, the munchies start hardcore!

Any tips on reducing the munchies?

Replies

  • Leana088
    Leana088 Posts: 581 Member
    I usually chew gum, my brother chews on raw carrots. Other than that, I sip on coffee or tea. I found this new brand of ground coffee in our supermarket. Its flavoured, and you brew it in a plunger.

    The flavour I bought is double chocolate. Its so decadent, it feels like I'm drinking something luxurious. :)
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    Just plan a snack in your day. Typically I have a 200 calorie snack around that time... the most filling is a piece of cheese and an apple.
  • beamer0821
    beamer0821 Posts: 488 Member
    yea afternoon is hard. I've been trying to eat breakfast and lunch later to help with that. sometimes it helps sometimes it doesnt and i just plan for a 200 cal or less snack
  • StaciMarie1974
    StaciMarie1974 Posts: 4,138 Member
    I can relate... Sometimes I know I want to munch out of boredom or habit - not hunger. For me it tends to happen on work days (office job) and not weekends when I'm actually DOING stuff. So I keep snacks on hand, and know I can fit them in my day. Some days I'd actually be too low on calories without the afternoon snacks.

    If that doesn't work for you - try having larger meals or meals that seem more filling. Find something to do, or drink more water.


    seasicksquid wrote: »
    I don't know if it's just me, but I have the hardest time not munching throughout the afternoons. I typically eat breakfast at 8 and lunch at 12, but by 2 or 3, the munchies start hardcore!

    Any tips on reducing the munchies?

  • DC_TheDrivah1
    DC_TheDrivah1 Posts: 77 Member
    I meal prep and my plan is set up to eat every 2.5 hours. Meal, snack, meal, snack, meal, workout, meal. My favorite snack that my calorie count allows for is an almond butter sandwich!!
  • 50452
    50452 Posts: 170 Member
    I've been drinking hot tea around that time. My preference is Constant Comment.

    I want to get out of the habit of eating between meals otherwise I would just accommodate it with a low cal snack.
  • guinevere96
    guinevere96 Posts: 1,445 Member
    Raisins, (chocolate yogurt covered raisins once in awhile for a treat) those get me through mid day munchies all the time! I work in an office, its so easy to sit and eat and eat and eat, gotta make sure I have an alternative that is small but will make me forget about that cupcake in the break room.
  • 4leighbee
    4leighbee Posts: 1,275 Member
    I'm really distracted by the need to munch right now (PMS + I hit the afternoon "wall" at work).

    As a general rule, I snack all day long on healthy foods and am very happy with that plan, but today I've already eaten all the snacks I brought for the day! Those three or four days of the month the week before my cycle ... I am just never satisfied. What I *know* I need to do on these days I'm constantly hungry is forget tracking and eating in a deficit and just eat a substantial meal at lunch. Then eat a real (healthy) meal at dinner. But those red numbers on my MFP page ... I do hate those red numbers ... sigh.
  • paxbfl
    paxbfl Posts: 391 Member
    Biggest breakthrough for me... instead of eating 3 large meals a day, eat 5-6 smaller meals. I divide up my calorie goal with breakfast around 9am (post workout), lunch at noon, afternoon snack at 3pm, dinner around 6pm (larger meal since I eat with my family) and evening snack around 8pm. Cravings are not a problem, since I've always got another meal coming soon. Plus I feel like my blood sugar is much more stable - I don't have that afternoon slump any longer and have consistent energy all day.
  • astrampe
    astrampe Posts: 2,169 Member
    Cup a soup, piece of cheese, 20 almonds, popcorn or something like that....And coffee or tea!
  • Lounmoun
    Lounmoun Posts: 8,423 Member
    I just plan to have a small snack or two since I usually get hungry at the same times in the afternoon or evening. It fits my calories so it is fine.
  • williams969
    williams969 Posts: 2,528 Member
    I always plan my day to have 200-300 of food around 2-3pm. It's also the time I get tired/nap time feeling (def. the blood sugar slumping for me), so I like fruit with oatmeal or yogurt (or all three) at that time. Sometimes for convenience, I drink a protein shake w/ a side of fruit then. It definitely tides me over until dinner time.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    I have a snack every day around 3 or 4 ...it's scheduled in so that it fits.
  • icedcupcake1981
    icedcupcake1981 Posts: 16 Member
    I find if I'm off work it's usually boredom that kicks in. I am trying to drink more water and if I have to snack having a piece of fruit like a banana or raisins. Usual works. :)
  • SarenaWM
    SarenaWM Posts: 51 Member
    If I get the munchies I just snack on a ramekin full of sugar snap peas, baby carrots, or whatever other raw veggies I have in the house. Low cal and crunchy! Usually does the trick. Air popped popcorn is good too!!
  • scarlett31uk
    scarlett31uk Posts: 4 Member
    My afternoon saviour is 0% Greek yogurt and fruit. If it's not sweet enough I'll add some granulated sweetener or a small spoon of honey. I usually pack around 100g yogurt, 100g fruit (strawberries, blueberries, blackberries) and I weigh my teaspoon of honey. All comes in at a little over 100 calories and is full of protein and other good stuff.
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    Pre-log your day to include a snack at this time.
  • vixtris
    vixtris Posts: 688 Member
    Sometimes I get that way around that time as well... I just keep in mind dinner is only 2 hours away and I can wait it out!
  • LIve_Laugh_Love_Strong
    LIve_Laugh_Love_Strong Posts: 25 Member
    paxbfl wrote: »
    Biggest breakthrough for me... instead of eating 3 large meals a day, eat 5-6 smaller meals. I divide up my calorie goal with breakfast around 9am (post workout), lunch at noon, afternoon snack at 3pm, dinner around 6pm (larger meal since I eat with my family) and evening snack around 8pm. Cravings are not a problem, since I've always got another meal coming soon. Plus I feel like my blood sugar is much more stable - I don't have that afternoon slump any longer and have consistent energy all day.



    This is also my approach! Extremely successful and easy to follow. Fail to plan, plan to fail!
  • LeenaGee
    LeenaGee Posts: 749 Member
    "Fail to plan, plan to fail!" Thanks for that Live_Laugh, you reminded me to hurry up and get my lunch for work or I really will have the munchies at 3pm, big time. :p
  • minties82
    minties82 Posts: 907 Member
    <fat
    >carbs

    I used to binge every single afternoon. Always wanting bread or starchy veg like potato. More fat and less carbs helps me.
  • runmama411
    runmama411 Posts: 162 Member
    Try making your biggest meal at lunch. Load up on green veggies, too. If you need a snack at 2-3, I will grab a cheese stick and fruit or a yogurt.
  • amoynoodle
    amoynoodle Posts: 46 Member
    Snacks snacks snaaacks!! :smiley: so instead of having three big meals a day now, i have three smaller meals (still huge tbh, but just instead of a shi*t load of pasta i have a *kitten* load of salad... so just lower cals. then i have a morning snack between breakfast and lunch of around 80-90 cals, then i have an afternoon coffee, and TWO snacks! haha... i dont get dinner till around 8.30 so i need it. Just make sure it fits into your cal allowance and go for it! :) my diary is pretty comprehensively logged and is open, so feel free to have a look for any inspiration.
  • Fayeworth
    Fayeworth Posts: 60 Member
    edited March 2015
    I usually have a piece of fruit, a cup of tea or some Skinny Metcalfe's popcorn at 112 per bag and you get loads! There's lots of snacks to have when hunger strikes. How about a low calorie dip with breadsticks (21 cals per stick) or cucumber/carrot for a real low cal option. Good luck x
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