How do you stop yourself from snack attacks?
MzStylish21
Posts: 23 Member
I'm a big sweets eater and as recent as this is I can't seem to break out of it. I always find myself thinking about having an ice cream or some chocolate chip cookies and it sucks ! I try my hardest to stay away and at times my husband even reminds me of the fit I threw the day before about needing to lose weight.
As much as it sounds like I don't give a *kitten* I do , I wanna stop it just seems to blow over my head as soon as a craving creeps in
As much as it sounds like I don't give a *kitten* I do , I wanna stop it just seems to blow over my head as soon as a craving creeps in
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Replies
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Planning and willpower.0
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Well will power seems to have ran out the window , kinda
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I head out the door for some fresh air exercise.0
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Willpower here too..but if that doesn't work more than one evening, I take off all my clothes and walk around the house naked (kids are moved out, hubs works nites, just me here)....after spending 6 or 7 minutes in all my nekkie glory, I have literally no cravings, no urge to go eat crazy snacky stuff outside of my calorie goal....ISYN. It works!0
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You can check out this tool (kitchen Safe). It's a little bit pricey but is pretty effective in curbing those snack attacks. I used this and has helped prevent many snack attacks.0
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Trying to keep busy when at home, and always having healthier options available to you. That is what helped me. Instead of having a candy bar I will have a Fiber One bar...etc.
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Snacks don't usually attack me.
I attack them.0 -
I work snacks into my day. Honestly if this is a lifestyle change I'm not going to go the rest of my life without candy. Feel free to add me to see open diary.0
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I don't buy empty calorie snacks while grocery shopping. and I don't put them in my home. If I want them I force myself to drive to the store and buy them...I won't do that so then I won;t eat them.0
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For me I plan a sweet into my day, so I know I can have my reward at night. Right now I am liking the healthy choice chocolate ice cream bars. Yum!0
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I've replaced sweets with fruit. It might seem difficult, but you kinda stop missing them once you don't have it
When cravings hit I run to pinterest to find something healthier that I can fit into my diet without wrecking damage. That's how I found protein lollies (that are amazing!)0 -
I set goals that aren't too far in the future and that are centered when possible around an event like a night out. When I want something that will throw me off, I imagine as vividly as I can how I'm going to feel if I reach that goal day and I can't wear any of my clothes and I look terrible and feel terrible.
I've also decided to ease off on holidays, have some junky foods, have a drink. So I tell myself it can wait until then.
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There are studies that show sugar lights up the dopamine areas in our brains and is actually considered a to be addictive because of that. We are actually hardwired to seek out sugar.... along with fat and salt because back in the day, millions of years ago, this was what sustained us. Today, we just have an overabundance of these things (think cookies-->sugar and fat, potato chips-->fat and salt, burgers-->sugar, fat, salt), which has lead to many of us being overweight. So being overweight is just a function of survival.
So not giving into a snack attack isn't just an act of willpower, it seems like something a lot more on a biological level. So now that you've identified the issue that's holding you back from weight loss (or one of the issues), you have to plan to work around it, as others have mentioned. That's how many addiction recovery programs work: plan that you are going to get a craving and come up with plans to overcome it. If certain situations trigger an attack, avoid the situation. Find replacement things to do (for instance when I go to movie theaters I want popcorn, but instead I pack cheerios or fruit in my purse and eat that, so I feel like I'm still doing the snacking and a movie) Or as some have mentioned (not used in recovery programs!), work it into your calorie plan so you feel you're not depriving myself. I like red wine with my meals, but it's about 100cal per 5oz, so I just "save" up for it at times or eat a little less a meal time...
Hope that helps you in thinking how sugar and snacking affects us all and how to help the situation. Good luck!0 -
JustMissTracy wrote: »Willpower here too..but if that doesn't work more than one evening, I take off all my clothes and walk around the house naked (kids are moved out, hubs works nites, just me here)....after spending 6 or 7 minutes in all my nekkie glory, I have literally no cravings, no urge to go eat crazy snacky stuff outside of my calorie goal....ISYN. It works!
love it! I gotta try this!
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MzStylish21 wrote: »I'm a big sweets eater and as recent as this is I can't seem to break out of it. I always find myself thinking about having an ice cream or some chocolate chip cookies and it sucks ! I try my hardest to stay away and at times my husband even reminds me of the fit I threw the day before about needing to lose weight.
As much as it sounds like I don't give a *kitten* I do , I wanna stop it just seems to blow over my head as soon as a craving creeps in
@MzStylish21 welcome to MFP forums.
I was looking for a way to manage my pain by diet before I learned about MFP so I tried to taper off all processed foods (stuff containing sugars and grains). I could not stop giving into the cravings. After two months I got ticked and stop eating stuff with sugars and or grains cold turkey.
It was a hellish two weeks but then the cravings just melted away then the fat started to melt away. In just 30 days my pain was well managed and about six months later my IBS was cured and that was one year ago.
Best of success.
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MzStylish21 wrote: »I'm a big sweets eater and as recent as this is I can't seem to break out of it. I always find myself thinking about having an ice cream or some chocolate chip cookies and it sucks ! I try my hardest to stay away and at times my husband even reminds me of the fit I threw the day before about needing to lose weight.
As much as it sounds like I don't give a *kitten* I do , I wanna stop it just seems to blow over my head as soon as a craving creeps in
One thing that has been helping me is having sweet deserts handy that are low in calories. Fiber one has yummy treats that are under 100 calories that wont hurt your diet. I also make peanut butter chocolate smoothies that are so good and about 250 cal.
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Yup, I grab some low calorie snacks, too (I like one brand of ice cream sandwich that is 160 calories per serving). I plan for 2-3 of them per day when I am meal planning, and I eat them as I need to.
Before I eat them, I try to see if the hunger pang is going to go away - I'll drink something, or occupy myself for ten minutes, or something. If I'm still hungry, I'll eat one of my daily snacks.
Portion control is key. That's another reason I like the individually-wrapped snacks - it is pre-portioned.0 -
There are studies that show sugar lights up the dopamine areas in our brains and is actually considered a to be addictive because of that.
YES THIS!!! deneenae speaks the truth
So what do we do about it? Here's what I do (did)
1) Drink something first
I love those zero cal MIO brand water enhancers. I make myself drink a HUGE (like one quart) of water first.
STILL CRAVING?
2) Is your craving real hunger or just sugar addiction crying out?
I ask myself - "Would you settle for some pork chops right now?" (I love grilled pork chops) If the answer is no - it's sugar talking.
3) But I'm still craving!
SO EAT SOMETHING
I keep around foods I can eat that don't set off the sugar: pork, steaks, eggs, bacon, salads with (super low carb) dressings and my secret weapon ENGLISH CUCUMBERS!
Stuff yourself silly. I didn't have the willpower to beat cravings by any other method than eating. A lot. You will blow your calories. That's OK, you're shaking off the sugar.
4) If you do this your next craving attack is going to be less.
The one after that will be even less. The one after that will be less...until you reach a point to what the strong-willed people call "willpower" and you'll find yourself not craving.
It took me almost six months but ya know what? THE CRAVINGS PASS. THEY WILL GO AWAY. I can no longer eat sweets like I did a year ago. You will learn - as I did - the secret of skinny people
THEY ARE NOT ADDICTED TO SUGARS
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That is one EXCELLENT POST. Yes, thin people are not addicted to sugar.
Eating cucumbers ( and pickles sometimes) has helped me a lot. And sugar-free orange jello is an excellent treat I can eat two big bowls and it's only like 50 calories. Also, I've recently discovered a frozen treat that's 150 for an entire pint: Arctic Zero. And its pretty good, When I get enough protein in a day I don't feel as hungry for snacks too. I love the Raw Protein brand.There are studies that show sugar lights up the dopamine areas in our brains and is actually considered a to be addictive because of that.
YES THIS!!! deneenae speaks the truth
So what do we do about it? Here's what I do (did)
1) Drink something first
I love those zero cal MIO brand water enhancers. I make myself drink a HUGE (like one quart) of water first.
STILL CRAVING?
2) Is your craving real hunger or just sugar addiction crying out?
I ask myself - "Would you settle for some pork chops right now?" (I love grilled pork chops) If the answer is no - it's sugar talking.
3) But I'm still craving!
SO EAT SOMETHING
I keep around foods I can eat that don't set off the sugar: pork, steaks, eggs, bacon, salads with (super low carb) dressings and my secret weapon ENGLISH CUCUMBERS!
Stuff yourself silly. I didn't have the willpower to beat cravings by any other method than eating. A lot. You will blow your calories. That's OK, you're shaking off the sugar.
4) If you do this your next craving attack is going to be less.
The one after that will be even less. The one after that will be less...until you reach a point to what the strong-willed people call "willpower" and you'll find yourself not craving.
It took me almost six months but ya know what? THE CRAVINGS PASS. THEY WILL GO AWAY. I can no longer eat sweets like I did a year ago. You will learn - as I did - the secret of skinny people
THEY ARE NOT ADDICTED TO SUGARS
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JustMissTracy wrote: »Willpower here too..but if that doesn't work more than one evening, I take off all my clothes and walk around the house naked (kids are moved out, hubs works nites, just me here)....after spending 6 or 7 minutes in all my nekkie glory, I have literally no cravings, no urge to go eat crazy snacky stuff outside of my calorie goal....ISYN. It works!
love it! I gotta try this!
Atta girl!0 -
I love those zero cal MIO brand water enhancers. I make myself drink a HUGE (like one quart) of water first.
Any flavors you particularly recommend? I was actually about to shop around for some good and light-weight water flavoring options, in my case to cover up the taste of chemically purified water when hiking.0 -
rankinsect wrote: »I love those zero cal MIO brand water enhancers. I make myself drink a HUGE (like one quart) of water first.
Any flavors you particularly recommend? I was actually about to shop around for some good and light-weight water flavoring options, in my case to cover up the taste of chemically purified water when hiking.
I like them all. Right now I'm enjoying the kool-aid brand grape ones. Brings back memories0 -
So I read the replys n let me add , this happens around 8pm to 10pm at night . plus I go to night school and I don't buy them at the groceries cuz I usually shop during the day and I don't want them but I have gone out ( or should I say the hubby),& bought snacks from the corner store
,... Awww! And the nude thing doesn't do much for me I'm called the nudist in my family. I can be naked or as naked as possible anytime . btw I'm 23 4'11 weigh 130,so I'm fat but not noticeably so when I'm eating a brownie it doesn't dawn on me til I'm in a dress I g room or summer's coming
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Ok. I'm trying the pork chop question next time.0
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Another thing , how long will this sugar cravings happen? How long will it takes me to detox ? I have tried to eat bigger dinner hoping I'll be satisfied and I swear my body or head or whatever still wants sugar,almost as if it doesn't feel full ! That sounds like addiction 0
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First, is it habit snacking? Find something to do that involves your brain and your hands and do that for an hour. If it's just habit, distracting your brain can shut that up. If you're still hungry after an hour, then yes, grab a snack.
Are you allowing yourself any sweets at all? If not, plan for it in your day. Leave yourself X number of calories for a snack that you can work something sweet into. Then, make sure you portion it out by weight. Yes, it takes a little longer, but by getting A SINGLE portion, it's much easier to incorporate into your daily calories, and taking the portion out and putting everything else back away helps me not go back for more. I just bought a bag of candy corn and spend time weighing portions out and putting them into baggies. Granted, that used a lot of baggies, but at least I know how much each one is, and by just grabbing one, I don't end up pigging out on them but can satisfy the craving. This does mean you need to sit down and portion out your calories for the day (X number for breakfast, this limit for lunch, this for supper and this for snack and so on), but if you leave yourself room for the snack, if you can fit the sweet you're craving into that amount, you can have it. Time of day you eat doesn't matter for weight loss. If you're hungry late at night and you have the calories left for it, snack. If you need to eat something right before bed, go for it. Unless you're prone to acid reflux, it's perfectly ok to do so.
Also, I know some people say "substitute something else!", but that's not emotionally satisfying! If I'm craving chips, Snappea crips aren't going to solve it. If I'm craving candy corn, popcorn doesn't cut it. I've found it's better for me in the long run if I limit my portion of what I'm craving and just work it into my day. That way, I get to eat stuff I like but keep it in smaller portions that doesn't undo all my work so far.0 -
This post is totally me right now... Not sure where my discipline went, but I need to find it soon!! lol0
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MzStylish21 wrote: »Another thing , how long will this sugar cravings happen?
Forever. Sugar is delicious. So is alcohol, nicotine and cocaine. I love all of them. I had to stop using them so I wouldn't die so soon.
Whenever I drive by a donut shoppe I imagine the sign "Donuts" replaced with "Meth". Really. It helps prevent the driveby snacking.
Keep in mind I lack any willpower whatsoever.MzStylish21 wrote: »How long will it takes me to detox ?
Took me almost a year to totally stop my binges. (knock on wood)MzStylish21 wrote: »I have tried to eat bigger dinner hoping I'll be satisfied and I swear my body or head or whatever still wants sugar,almost as if it doesn't feel full ! That sounds like addiction
I can't tell you what to try. I can tell you that you are going to fail and fail and fail - but keep trying and trying and trying. You will get frustrated. A lot. Then one day you will hit on something that works for you - at least for a while. You will have victories. Then you will fail again. Then you will try another idea and that will work. Rinse and repeat.
If you don't have at least ten horrible evenings in the next year where you are crying in frustration and shame while you stuff yourself with something horrible you're not doing it right. It's normal. It's addiction. It's a *kitten*. You will beat this.
Ever heard the saying "95% of all diets fail"? I think its because it take us 95 "diets" before we discover the right combination for good eating for yourself.
There are a million opinions here on MFP and all of them are wrong - except for the one that works for you. Listen to everyone. Ignore the trolls and the haters.
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JustMissTracy wrote: »Willpower here too..but if that doesn't work more than one evening, I take off all my clothes and walk around the house naked (kids are moved out, hubs works nites, just me here)....after spending 6 or 7 minutes in all my nekkie glory, I have literally no cravings, no urge to go eat crazy snacky stuff outside of my calorie goal....ISYN. It works!
This is hilarious!
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Thank you everyone! It means a lot to me when u can take time out of your day and respond to a stranger (who is probably going through what you did ) & tell them about ur experience (good n bad) in hopes to motivate them and save them from anymore unnecessary mistakes.0
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