Snacking help

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elianns
elianns Posts: 7 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I'm a notorious snacker, especially when I'm bored or stressed out. I'm trying to control this part of myself, but I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations, either for distracting yourself from snacking, or healthy alternatives to the office snack table (seriously, it looks like Willy Wonka stocked that thing!)

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  • ericwhitt
    ericwhitt Posts: 87 Member
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    I like to cut up green peppers or cucumbers. The wife likes celery with peanut butter or cream cheese. Air popped popcorn lightly salted. Steamed Edamame, or just a handful of potato chips work in small serving sizes. On days my meals were light, I'll grab a bowl of sherbet.
  • courtneyfabulous
    courtneyfabulous Posts: 1,863 Member
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    Haha yeah do not partake from the Willy Wonka table! Or if you do log/track it all in myfitnesspal.

    I'm a snacker too so I just plan for it - I eat very small meals only like 200 to 350 calories each so that I can fit in my 3 or 4 snacks a day. I choose mostly low calorie, high fiber, nutrient rich, or high protein snacks. Candy may taste great but it packs a lot of calories and very little nutrients & fiber. I tend to snack on fresh fruit, dried fruit, cottage cheese, flavored Greek yogurt (Fage is a good one), rice cakes, popcorn, protein bars, seaweed snacks, low calorie ice cream (Halo Top is a good one), raw veggies, protein shakes, and turkey jerky.

    Or you can start drinking tea- it has basically no calories and there's all different flavors! I like peppermint tea or rooibos chai. I put a little milk or creamer in the chai but it's still really low calorie. When I get the urge to snack but I'm not actually hungry I choose tea. Or sparkling water with a squeeze of lemon or lime juice is nice too.
  • akmomof7
    akmomof7 Posts: 162 Member
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    I like to use my snacks to get my macros closer to goal, which for me usual means getting more protein! So I tend to do cottage cheese with raw veg, tuna, protein shakes or bars, greek yogurt. If all my macros are in goal then I have something fun like popcorn with some rum drink on the side lol. Last night I had a little more room than usual so I had a fun size snickers, my first piece of Halloween candy (and probably last as the kids have it almost gone! ) I just let my diary run the show, whatever fits the macros and calorie goal!
  • trigden1991
    trigden1991 Posts: 4,658 Member
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    Harsh response - exercise some self control
    Less harsh response - drink more water, eat more veg, pre-log calories, don't buy snacks.

    A combination of the above will work wonders.
  • elianns
    elianns Posts: 7 Member
    edited November 2016
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    trigden1991 wrote: »
    Harsh response - exercise some self control
    Less harsh response - drink more water, eat more veg, pre-log calories, don't buy snacks.

    A combination of the above will work wonders.

    Sometimes I need a harsh response, so this is helpful. I just need to do it and not talk about it so much.
    courtneyfabulous wrote: »
    Haha yeah do not partake from the Willy Wonka table! Or if you do log/track it all in myfitnesspal.

    That's my new goal...avoid it at all costs!
  • Richie2shoes
    Richie2shoes Posts: 412 Member
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    I have this problem at home and snack on unsalted sunflower seeds. A couple handfuls keep me busy for a while and it's low calorie. Years ago, when I quit smoking, I took up cross stitching. I found if my hands were busy, I didn't think about smoking. I imagine the same would be true about snacking.
  • Dan_NY_27
    Dan_NY_27 Posts: 24 Member
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    if you can't exercise self control try getting rid of unhealthy food around you and replace them with healthy options. Water also helps.

    try a handful of nuts (don't crazy with salt) trailmix (healthy trailmix without a ton of salt or added sugar) apples, bananas. etc.
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
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    I always have "healthy" snacks available at work (veggies, no sugar applesauce, 100 calorie nut packs). That doesn't mean I always eat just those. But, I try.

    Hot tea comes in so many flavors. Low (or zero) calorie & takes awhile to drink. It's also something to do with your hands (hot mug - cold day).

    I have portion sized snacks at home - Ghiradelli dark chocolate squares - ice cream sandwiches - 100 calorie popcorn.

    I NEVER eat in front of the TV. Mindless snacking is not something I can ever go back to. Instead I get a big glass of ice water and keep my hands busy. Knitting, solitaire, adult coloring book......anything that is a little bit of a distraction.

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