Office/desk job...2:30-5pm MUNCH ATTACKS!

baby carrots!

Healthy isnt expensive. I love Special K cracker chips and salsa! You can eat ALOT for under 100 cals!

I have the same problem and after too many afternoons of overeating, I decided to allow myself to eat. So now I plan a small snack for 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30.... usually an apple, orange, string cheese, baby carrots, etc. Knowing I get another snack in an hour seems to help keep me on course and away from the vending machines (which are right outside my office door!).

I also have gum and sugar-free hard candies on hand when I need a sugar fix.

This works 90% of the time with me... the other 10%? Well, that usually means a date with the treadmill after work....

I am addicted to clementine oranges or tangerines, so I always keep a few of them in my desk.

I love those!! I eat those in the morning around 10am. Keeps my stomach from growling and me from wolfing down my food at lunch.

I also plan a snack each day around 2:30 or 3. Some of the things I have: baby carrots/grape tomatoes & fat free ranch dressing, almonds, fruit (orange, apple, grapes, etc.), protein bar, string cheese, or yogurt. I also am on a budget so I look for sales on the things I like at various grocery stores.

That is my weakest time of day as well. I always plan a reward for myself if I have been good that day. Fruit fills you up (I usually have an apple) but the key is a very small amount of yummy stuff with protein (dark chocolate and almonds for me). Knowing you have this treat is key. Also, get up and walk around if you can - just stay away from the candy jar!

I prepack my snacks because I'm usually starving by 10 AM and 3 PM. I pack 100 calorie snacks of whatever I have on hand and put it into tupperware. I use almonds, grapes, pistachios, whole grain crackers, strawberries, cottage cheese. It keeps me from digging into the candy jar not ten feet from my desk.

This is EXACTLY my problem. So much so that I was telling my husband last night that I could eat a huge meal at lunch and eat continuously from lunch until I leave for home.
What I have had to do is bring my own snacks from home. Ones that I know are lower in calories that can help this horrible habit that I can't stop. The things that I keep around are dum dum suckers (they last long and you can have 3 for like 70 cals), celery (with this you don't even have to log, you burn the calories you intake when you are eating it!!), I know you said that you have a low budget but I would try the Special K crisps you can have a lot for not many calories to break one serving into two sandwich bags, also drink a lot of water. After you eat lunch your body might be telling you that you are hungry but it is actually telling you, that it needs water. I have a hard time with this one. But your body needs the water to help digest the food that you ate. And if you don't have enough it feels like you are hungry when you aren't.
I am sure that this doesn't help you but hopefully you can find options that you can control these attacks with out throwing your daily goals down the drain.

Yesterday I had a mean craving for junk. I made myself a mug of chicken bouillon + hot water and it did the trick. I know it's high in sodium but I drink a ton of water so in my mind that equals out a bit (don't know if that's scientifically true but whatever!) I just got a cheap container of bouillon granuals and keep it in my desk. I also have some 99 cent "sleeves" of almonds, the wasabi and the smokehouse flavors. The wasabi is hot enough where I can't just chow them down, and the smokehouse is just different. I can't spend $$ on treats so I save these almonds for those times when I ate everything I brought from home and I just can't hold out anymore! I also plan for snacks throughout the day. Yogurts, fruits, veggies + dip, that sort of thing. Surround yourself with good snacks and you'll be ok! If you have a sweet tooth, try things like chai tea or a mug of warm milk with sugar free syrup (raspberry is yummy!).

I'm on a tight budget, too, but this is doable if it's in your plan. I had to make the commitment to buy fruits and veggies for me and my family, to have them around me, instead of junk, and it's now in my budget (we're a family of 4 and spend ~$75/week on groceries so I KNOW about tight budgets!!)

baby carrots!

My first thought!!! Cheap and munchie

Do you have a microwave at work? Popcorn is a low cal munchie that isn't expensive. Or chop up some celery or carrot sticks and bring with a little peanut butter to snack on. Those are all usually pretty affordable.

Pickles, or portioned dry cereal

Almonds!

170 calories of HIGH QUALITY calories in 1/4 cup. Great source of protein, and they tend to keep me satisfied for a couple hours if I drink a lot of water with them.

Just make sure to cut yourself off at 1 serving!

When i get cravings for chocolate i eat a chocolate chunk granola bar. I just get the great value ones from walmart and theyre only 90 calories. And usually that gets me past the craving. Then when i crave super sweet or sour candy i just eat either purple or green grapes. works everytime for me

I eat a late lunch everyday and it helps stop afternoon cravings. I try to eat between 1-3