HELP - Best way to avoid "After-Dinner" snacking

MDLNH
MDLNH Posts: 587 Member
edited October 3 in Food and Nutrition
I could really use some suggestions, ideas and tips on how to avoid the dreaded "after-dinner" snacking . . .

What are some things that you use or do ?


* * I've been thinking of adding some additional "light" exercise at home, but I also need to be able to enjoy and spend time w/ my family, which can center around watching a family TV program or an inside game now w/ the weather getting colder.


Thanks !!!!

Replies

  • beccala18
    beccala18 Posts: 293 Member
    Try brushing your teeth or chewing gum - it will make most foods taste bad. Or keep some veggies handy for that time of the night and prelog them so you know it fits into your day.
  • AllieK1030
    AllieK1030 Posts: 12
    brush your teeth and stay busy!! Also, I know eating a protein full dinner helps me stay fuller longer so I am not laying in bed awake thinking about how hungry I am haha. I bought Babel light cheese, soooooo good and only 50 calories! When I am dying to go into the fridge, I grab one and walk away.
  • jagspal
    jagspal Posts: 75
    I find this to be my week part of the day also, I try to drink hot tea or go to bed when I am tired. Good Luck!
  • chrissaucier
    chrissaucier Posts: 252 Member
    I brush my teeth, usually don't like to eat aftewards
  • ecmcnamee
    ecmcnamee Posts: 317 Member
    Weight Watchers string cheese ... 50 calories a piece ... and a HUGE glass of water. Stay busy .. go for a walk, etc. etc. The after dinner stuff gets me sometimes too ... lots of willpower!
  • lynn1982
    lynn1982 Posts: 1,439 Member
    I've found that having some sort of routine for after dinner helps with the snacking. I've started drinking herbal tea and one square of dark chocolate after dinner. After that, the kitchen is closed.
  • ladybug1620
    ladybug1620 Posts: 1,136 Member
    Can you allocate your calories better throughout the day to allow for a small PLANNED after dinner snack?
  • SergeantSunshine_reused
    SergeantSunshine_reused Posts: 5,382 Member
    Save calories for a snack
  • sunnyrunner23
    sunnyrunner23 Posts: 182 Member
    That's my toughest time too! I shut the kitchen down, clean up, run the dishwasher and turn off the lights in that room. Then I sit and snuggle on the couch with the kids and the cat!

    I used to save up enough calories for a bowl of popcorn for that time of day but I am trying to get away from the sodium.
  • tmiqueen
    tmiqueen Posts: 254 Member
    If you're eating because you're honestly hungry, then find some low-fat/low-cal snacks to keep around for those moments. Make sure you're drinking plenty of water in the evenings. I was able to curb some of the cravings by sipping from a water bottle. Just the act of hand-to-mouth was enough.

    If you're eating because you're bored, well you'll need to find something to distract you.

    For me, I don't seem to crave it until I walk by it and see it...then it seems to CALL to me. In that case, keep the foods out of sight.

    Or, instead of sitting around the boob tube, involve your family in some sort of active game (there are bazillions of ideas online). That way, you get activity AND family time!
  • RAFValentina
    RAFValentina Posts: 1,231 Member
    I think light work outs are a great idea... or do the laundry then, washing up, chores. Exercise is an appetite supresant. I found myself not having a morning snack at all, or lunch at normal time (I ate later a small lunch instead) today as I was doing exercise and it didn't even bother me! Not even a growl from the stomach! I was thirsty though! Have water if you're feeling peckish. Remember it's all in the mind. Having lots of water / fluids at dinner too may help as well as a cup of green tea. I'd advise a small carbo load snack about 40mins-1hour before bed that's already factored in to your daily calories. It's good for your mental health to feed your brain with sugars/carbs before sleep /during sleep as the energy in your blood from that will be going to the brain (I had sleep troubles and ended up seeing a shrink who just helped me look at my lifestyle!-a hungry animal doesn't sleep, he wants to hunt, a freshly fed beast falls asleep!) I found this really helped. So long as I wasn't going over my calories by having it, I still have lost weight so don't believe any of the "eat late and you'll get fat" rubbish. It's all badly interpreted statistics!

    MIND OVER MATTER! Eventually you'll get a good eating routine :)

    Val x
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member
    Save calories for a snack

    ^ This. You can additionally shift more of your calories towards evening. I will routinely eat the majority of my calories between 5 and 9pm.
  • jarrettd
    jarrettd Posts: 872 Member
    Can you allocate your calories better throughout the day to allow for a small PLANNED after dinner snack?

    I do this! I also keep carbs and protein balanced. Too many carbs in the evening meal without enough protein with them leaves me munchy late at night or ravenous by morning.
  • EmpressPat
    EmpressPat Posts: 5
    I keep low calorie ice cream treats in the freezer that have about 35 calories each: fudge bars and popsicles. And it satisfies my desire for something good and sweet and for only a few calories. And, if you drink a big glass of water when the first pangs hit you, that'll help too.
  • kaetmarie
    kaetmarie Posts: 668 Member
    We usually eat dinner late, but I often have a post-dinner snack. I just plan for it....because I know it's going to happen :)
  • workerbee2011
    workerbee2011 Posts: 47 Member
    After dinner is such a hard time of the day...I've found pre-logging a snack works well - I usually have a couple of spoons of low fat yoghurt.
  • deadstarsunburn
    deadstarsunburn Posts: 1,337 Member
    I drink coffee or tea!
  • mischyfishy
    mischyfishy Posts: 3
    I plan for a small "late night" snack in the evenings because I know I'll need it. Often I keep grapes in the freezer and only take out one at a time so that even if I have 20 grapes as my snack, I have to go from the couch to the kitchen every time I want one. I find frozen grapes take longer to eat and they feel like more of a sweet dessert than a fruit.
  • fatty2fabby
    fatty2fabby Posts: 415 Member
    like others have said brush your teeth! really does help or whenever you feel a bit of hunger going on then go for some water or tea/ coffee
  • MDLNH
    MDLNH Posts: 587 Member
    Lots of great suggestions and ideas - Thanks !!!!

    * and keep them coming . . .
  • HMonsterX
    HMonsterX Posts: 3,000 Member
    Don't try to fight it, as it's another thing to tempt you to fall back into bad habits in general. If you like to snack after dinner, plan for it! Have a smaller breakfast/lunch/dinner, and whenever you want that snack have it guilt-free! Remember, it doesn't matter WHEN you get your calories, as long as you keep that deficit.

    Recently I've been enjoying watching DVD film commentaries in bed before i go to sleep. I noticed that i would like to have a snack with that, so i saved myself a couple of hundred calories, and had said snack with the dvd!
  • Rae6503
    Rae6503 Posts: 6,294 Member
    I have this problem too. Honestly, I just make sure I have the calories for it. (But I don't buy the don't eat after 7pm crap)
  • TripleJ3
    TripleJ3 Posts: 945 Member
    I make a batch of veggie soup. Its an old zero soup recipe from Weight Watchers. It makes 8 servings. I divide it and store in the freezer. Its roughly 65 calories then with that, water and tea that helps. I also have celery ready and I even like to eat red cabbage leaves. They are crunchy, lots of hand-to-mouth action and peeling the layers and eating them reminds me of potato chips.
  • ladyduddy
    ladyduddy Posts: 21
    I clear the table, clean the kitchen, load the dishwasher, do the ironing, make a cup of herbal tea and take my make up off, paint my nails, anything to distract me! Read a book or watch television or walk the dog. Often walking the dog straight after dinner is good as you get out in the fresh air and feel healthy and it puts you off the idea of a snack later. Or if, as others say, you really need a snack (and after all you are going to be adopting this new lifestyle for ever!) just factor it in and make sure it works for you. So a small amount of something but you account for it and log it early in the day so you know you are ok. It's easier to juggle calories then. I stopped having fruit juice automatically with my breakfast every morning (I dont even like it to be honest!) and have a snack later in the day.
  • Elizabeth_C34
    Elizabeth_C34 Posts: 6,376 Member
    I eat a small dessert snack an hour or so after dinner. It's planned into my diary so I know I can have it, and it's usually no more than 150 calories. Give yourself some room after dinner to have a little snack.

    Contrary to popular belief, eating after dinner is just fine as long as you are under your calorie goal.
  • fitplease
    fitplease Posts: 647 Member
    Brush your teeth, drink water. Keep busy doing your bedtime routine.
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