Anybody else not snacking?

Drewlssix
Drewlssix Posts: 272 Member
edited November 14 in Health and Weight Loss
when I started I took the approach of keeping snacks on hand to handle between meal urges (not always hunger) but lately I have been eating nothing at all in the hours between breakfast and lunch or lunch and diner.

It's like the psychological urge to eat is diminished, unless there is something extra tempting in front of me that is.
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Replies

  • Jgasmic
    Jgasmic Posts: 219 Member
    I don't snack as much when I'm focused on eating well because the choices I make for meals keep me fuller longer than the donuts I may choose if I'm not watching my food. I also don't buy "junk" because I have issues with moderation and will eat all of it, whatever it happens to be.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    It's really personal preference. I mostly don't snack between meals because I eat better at meals and really don't like most snack foods that much (since for me they have to be portable), and thinking about eating between meals makes me hungry when I normally wouldn't be, so I end up eating more. I go a long time between lunch and dinner, so sometimes work in a snack when I exercise hard that day, and I'm currently experimenting with post workout snacks, but no need to snack if you are getting enough food and don't feel like it.
  • KathyMBragg
    KathyMBragg Posts: 48 Member
    I'm not in the group who believes eating every few hours is a Good Thing. That said, my medical team has me on very low calorie so I only have one snack a day in the evening to stay in my limit. I also believe, do whatever works for YOU.
  • rainbow198
    rainbow198 Posts: 2,245 Member
    edited March 2015
    I don't snack at all. When I eat I eat. lol! The 2 - 3 well-balanced meals I eat each day are very filling and keeps me full until the next meal or next day. This was the way I ate growing up in the 70's and 80's...3 square meals, no snacks and activity (playing outside and chores).

    It's not for everyone, but I trained myself to stop mindlessly snacking after dinner, then I stopped snacking during the day. No snacking works great for me.

    It does all come down to total calories for the day or week, but small snacks never filled me up, so I ate more. It's good to try different things to see how your body reacts.
  • kindrabbit
    kindrabbit Posts: 837 Member
    I don't snack as much as I used to. I used to be able to eat all day if I felt like it (how did I end up 4 stone over weight?!)
    In my case, my capacity to eat was huge so I imagine my stomach was stretched. I now eat much smaller portions and I cant physically eat as much as I used to. My appetite is diminished too. I do still snack but its more to keep up my calories and protein and I make better choices.

  • moto450
    moto450 Posts: 334 Member
    For me snacking is rare. I have worked hard to get where I am. One donut isn't worth the set back for me. Yeah, I know the calories in calories out thing. It's true, but I also think it can be used as an excuse.
  • AmazonMayan
    AmazonMayan Posts: 1,168 Member
    I don't snack mindlessly anymore - grazing out of boredom or just because it's there. I also don't plan snacks unless I know I will be away from my kitchen for several hours and don't have plans to eat a meal out.

    If I'm hungry, I eat. Usually, it's a meal with plenty of protein, fats and fiber. I still have less nutritious unplanned treats occasionally, but only occasionally.
  • Larissa_NY
    Larissa_NY Posts: 495 Member
    rainbow198 wrote: »
    I don't snack at all. When I eat I eat. lol! The 2 - 3 well-balanced meals I eat each day are very filling and keeps me full until the next meal or next day. This was the way I ate growing up in the 70's and 80's...3 square meals, no snacks and activity (playing outside and chores).

    Same. (And I also grew up in the 70's and 80's.) If I'm feeling low-energy on a workout day I might eat an apple or a pack of beef jerky on the way to the gym, but that's about it. But I don't get hungry that often, and I've never minded being hungry for a while until the next mealtime rolls around.

  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
    I don't know - what is the difference between a snack and a meal?

    I usually eat five meals a day, some bigger, some smaller, but all complete with a vegetable and some fatty protein. I aim not to eat inbetween meals, but I will have a taste of an especially tasty treat if I feel like it.
  • Drewlssix
    Drewlssix Posts: 272 Member
    kommodevaran wrote: »
    I don't know - what is the difference between a snack and a meal?

    I usually eat five meals a day, some bigger, some smaller, but all complete with a vegetable and some fatty protein. I aim not to eat inbetween meals, but I will have a taste of an especially tasty treat if I feel like it.

    That's a good point, I don't mean snacks like chips or cookies (though I do have those regularly) just small ish pieces of food between the three big meals.

    Originally for me it was out of concern for being hungry during the day and that leading to binge eating later.
    And that was helpful early on, but I soon started noticing I hadn't eaten my snack and wasn't hungry or even craving between meals. This morning I realized the fruit I kept at home was turning bad since I hadn't eaten them like I meant to.

    I think it's both my stomach adjusting to my smaller diet and my mind adapting and I'm more secure with there not being food at hand.

    I was wondering if others had noticed similar changes, it seems that however I get my cals I'm good for the day. I can have a very large lunch and be sated straight through to breakfast this not over eating by the time diner comes around.
  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
    Drewlssix wrote: »
    kommodevaran wrote: »
    I don't know - what is the difference between a snack and a meal?

    I usually eat five meals a day, some bigger, some smaller, but all complete with a vegetable and some fatty protein. I aim not to eat inbetween meals, but I will have a taste of an especially tasty treat if I feel like it.

    That's a good point, I don't mean snacks like chips or cookies (though I do have those regularly) just small ish pieces of food between the three big meals.

    Originally for me it was out of concern for being hungry during the day and that leading to binge eating later.
    And that was helpful early on, but I soon started noticing I hadn't eaten my snack and wasn't hungry or even craving between meals. This morning I realized the fruit I kept at home was turning bad since I hadn't eaten them like I meant to.

    I think it's both my stomach adjusting to my smaller diet and my mind adapting and I'm more secure with there not being food at hand.

    I was wondering if others had noticed similar changes, it seems that however I get my cals I'm good for the day. I can have a very large lunch and be sated straight through to breakfast this not over eating by the time diner comes around.

    I agree with you - I have grazed on and off for years, and having and using a meal plan removes most of the the anxiety I've had around food and eating. I used to eat more or less constantly, and gained weight. I feared hunger, and dreaded the weight gain. Now I feel that there is nothing wrong with feeling hungry before a meal, and the hunger is manageble because I eat better.
  • wreckzrainer131
    wreckzrainer131 Posts: 33 Member
    I have wasabi almonds that I'll snack on about once a week. Also one banana and one orange per day.
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    Depends on my calorie goal. At 1600-1800, I eat 6 times a day. At 1500, that's where it cuts down to 5. Still...snacking. Yes.
  • another_chelle
    another_chelle Posts: 42 Member
    Snacking is my downfall; especially if I'm at home. So I make sure to eat three healthy meals and maybe throw in a yogurt if I'm low on calories.

    This is what I try to do. Reality is often different. Once I start snacking it's difficult to stop. Spring break has been an eating disaster. Hoping to get back on track next week.
  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    I don't snack at all. It's completely unnecessary, and takes away calories from the main meal leaving me less satiated.

    Seems to work for some people, though, so figure out what works for *you*! :drinker:
  • PeachyCarol
    PeachyCarol Posts: 8,029 Member
    I found out that without know it, I do IF. I naturally eat in an 8 hour window and do 4 meals. Doing that, who needs to snack?
  • kotarea
    kotarea Posts: 212 Member
    I eat at 9/11/1/3/5/7 so 6 times a day, but they are all very very small meals so I guess you could say I "snack" all day lol
  • Dragn77
    Dragn77 Posts: 810 Member
    edited March 2015
    Im not much of a snacker generally speaking... Its something Im trying to incorporate, to help me hit my calorie goals, but Im just not used to snacking and never keep snacks in my home, so its a challenge for me.

    Like @rainbow198 said, my meals are pretty filling and keep me satated, so I really dont feel hungry between meals. But I really should try...Im hitting 1200 net, even though my goal is 1360.. and when I work my way up to maintenance, its going to be a lot more. So I need to start figuring this stuff out right now.

    I do like veggies, and so veggies with hummus is something I do sometimes. I like homemade popcorn, just something I havnt done in awhile, but I really should make that more. I also could stand to eat more fruit. Stuff like that would be good for snacking on.
  • LAWoman72
    LAWoman72 Posts: 2,846 Member
    I eat three times a day. I usually don't eat in between, though my third "meal" is later at night and very "snacking," a "fun food".

    I know, eat three times a day, very 70s of me. ;)
  • callsitlikeiseeit
    callsitlikeiseeit Posts: 8,626 Member
    when i first started i did. now its much more uncommon. i do have a snack 'category' but it doesnt necessarily mean a snack - could be a beer, tea, whatever...
  • krissyreminisce
    krissyreminisce Posts: 284 Member
    edited March 2015
    I snack at the end of my work day because I head straight to the gym for about an hour to ninety minutes before I head home for dinner. :) And that snack is usually half of a banana. But other than that, I fill my 'snack' cravings with hot tea. :)
  • DKG28
    DKG28 Posts: 299 Member
    I'm a grazer... I'll spend 2 hours picking at my lunch while I'm at my desk at work. I like to have carrot sticks and things you can nibble on and eat with your fingers. It helps avoid snacking because I'm chewing on things but it's not an extra snack added in.. It'sstill the planned meal. I'll make a veg for dinner and eat it. And an hour later eat the protein, and then go back again for the other side dish. But if i'm running around busy, I have no trouble wolfing ever thing down and running out the door. I just don't find it as satiating. Yes, after dinner i like to snack.
  • hhnkhl
    hhnkhl Posts: 231 Member
    I snack on raw almonds..
  • azulvioleta6
    azulvioleta6 Posts: 4,195 Member
    Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't.

    Snacking is not my natural tendency, but I don't get enough fat in my diet, so adding a piece of chocolate or cheese actually seems to help me lose weight.
  • annette_15
    annette_15 Posts: 1,657 Member
    Ill often skip dinner and just snack if I have cravings. I never really crave meals and tend to get all my micros in during breakfast and lunch
  • jackstraw67201
    jackstraw67201 Posts: 14 Member
    I snack a lot less now that I use mfp. If nothing else it made me aware of what and how much I was putting in my mouth.
  • 81Katz
    81Katz Posts: 7,074 Member
    edited March 2015
    I usually eat 5, sometimes 6 meals a day. 1-2 being either 'light' or more a 'snack' (a cheese stick, an apple, a yogurt, etc) Sometimes I can go entirely in between meals, other times I need a little something to tie me over to the next meal.
  • chubbard9
    chubbard9 Posts: 565 Member
    Some days I eat snacks, some days I work and get too busy, and often end up waiting(endlessly) for dinner... I like having my snack here and there, because it keeps me satisfied, but also because if I go shopping, I can just go to the items I need and head out... If I have nothing in my stomach, I always want the junk food! For me, snacks work... Mainly because they give me just that extra feeling of satisfaction so I don't go and chow down a bunch of stuff I'll regret later... Plus fruit & string cheese & nuts(no matter how few), are totally yummy and worth it. :)
  • LokiDokiArtichoki
    LokiDokiArtichoki Posts: 36 Member
    I've started doing the same. I used to feel hungry all the time, but now that I'm eating healthier (more whole grains, fruits, and veggies and less processed stuff), I don't feel the urge to eat so much. I think it's the water/fiber filling me up. Plus, I'm definitely more aware of my eating, so I feel the need to choose better options when I eat. I'd rather wait an extra hour or two (and have a bottle of water or a cup of coffee to hold me over) and eat a larger meal with chicken, broccoli, and an apple vs. running to the quick-mart and grabbing a candy bar or bag of chips. The candy/chips might satisfy an emotional craving, but they aren't going satisfy my "real" hunger.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    LAWoman72 wrote: »
    I eat three times a day. I usually don't eat in between, though my third "meal" is later at night and very "snacking," a "fun food".

    I know, eat three times a day, very 70s of me. ;)

    I'm actually trying to incorporate a post workout meal (or snack), but I really naturally think in terms of 3 meals too. I'm just too tied to convention or something! ;-)
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