Eating just to eat

jen622
jen622 Posts: 13
edited September 20 in Food and Nutrition
I have a problem. I guess you can say that food is a comfort to me. I want to snack all the time... when I'm watching tv, a movie, when I'm bored... the list goes on. I know that I'm not hungry but I think about eating a lot. And even when I tell myself that I'm not hungry and I don't need a snack, my mind still won't let me let go of it.
I hope I'm not the only person and I'm hoping that there are people out there that can tell me what they have done to rid themselves of this habit.
Any advice will help.

Replies

  • msh0530
    msh0530 Posts: 1,675 Member
    Get busy doing something else. Go for a walk. Drink a cup of hot tea (decaf green mint is my favorite remedy for this.) Eat some raw veggies. Off the top of my head, these are all things that I have done. Good luck!
  • tiffanygil
    tiffanygil Posts: 478 Member
    Oh yeah, been there still do that. I drink water or i'll eat a sugar free jello snack with fat free cool whip and its only 15 cals. Also Blue Bunny makes a fudge bar that is really good with only 45 cals. helps the cravings if you just have to have something. Also apples are great snack in the afternoon and they keep me fuller longer then any other fruit or veggie. Good luck I know you can do it!!!
  • sngnyrslp
    sngnyrslp Posts: 315 Member
    Worst case scenario, throw out all your snacks! If they're not in the house, you can't eat them. We're all too weak to beat the temptation sometimes, and not having the snacks there to tempt you is a quick fix
  • AmandaJ
    AmandaJ Posts: 1,950 Member
    I understand the feeling! Sometimes I think I should go eat something but then I realize that I am not hungry, I just feel like something should be in my mouth. I am trying to drink water now when I feel that way but it is hard.
  • Shanta1983
    Shanta1983 Posts: 1,228 Member
    Oh yeah, been there still do that. I drink water or i'll eat a sugar free jello snack with fat free cool whip and its only 15 cals. Also Blue Bunny makes a fudge bar that is really good with only 45 cals. helps the cravings if you just have to have something. Also apples are great snack in the afternoon and they keep me fuller longer then any other fruit or veggie. Good luck I know you can do it!!!

    I agree
  • little_wolfie
    little_wolfie Posts: 91
    I learned to knit to keep my hands busy. It helps in the evenings.
  • watermelon854
    watermelon854 Posts: 23
    I eat a lot just to eat....its been better, though, since I've started to eat raw green beans...to give that cool and delicious crunch! Also, I found that Goldfish crackers were a good treat because you can eat quite a few and still stay within the 'snack' range.

    I hope that helps!
  • courtney_love2001
    courtney_love2001 Posts: 1,468 Member
    Well, the first step is realizing that it is a problem! You have already begun your journey to correct the problem :) Just take the advice of all these fine folks and you'll be curbing those cravings soon! Good luck!
  • Silver_Dream
    Silver_Dream Posts: 1,630 Member
    I'm a stay at home mom and I have the same problem. I'm around my kitchen all day. And I think "I could eat something." So I've taken to carrots for a snack between meals and/or an apple. And when I really think I need food, but I know I"m not hungry. I chug water. So, that helps me get in the water I'm supposed to drink all day. I never quite make it to the 8 glasses but I make it darn close.
  • LisaC1026
    LisaC1026 Posts: 1,203 Member
    I've had the same problem for years. I don't have a good answer for you though. It literally took me deciding that food is not worth looking in the mirror and feeling like crap everyday. I decided that I was ready to do something about it and take charge of my life. Food is done ruling me! For me, I thought tips that are previously mentioned would help, but they didn't. I guess I hit rock bottom with food/ my weight/ my self confidence/ etc and decided that enough is enough. It's time to take charge of my life and feel great about myself!

    I hope that some of the suggestions above help, but I wanted to be honest and tell you how I got my wake-up call. There was nothing that "helped" me besides me deciding that I am going to take charge. I also take it each day at a time. A bad day does not have to mean a bad week, etc. Good luck! :flowerforyou:
  • jen622
    jen622 Posts: 13
    Thanks for the great tips everyone. And thanks LisaC for the honesty. I did not take it in the wrong way.
    I have been having a bad day just thinking about how much I want to lose weight and how I want it to just melt off quickly. I have just started trying to lose weight but kind of beat myself up thinking that I shouldn't have gotten here in the first place.
    I'm so glad everyone on here is so kind.:smile:
  • PeaceLoveMusicSn
    PeaceLoveMusicSn Posts: 23
    I do at same exact thing I eat mostly when I'm bored so when I feel hunger comming on even though I'm not really hungry I will go for a walk then eat an apple or something like that when I get back
  • cdickey
    cdickey Posts: 230
    I find myself doing the same thing. The only way I can keep from it is to find something else to keep me busy. If I'm just trying to kick back and relax and the nagging snack attack hits I have to get out of the house or start working at something. It's extremely hard for me at work because I set at a desk all day and find myself wanting to snack. This was the normal thing for me to do before I started trying to lose weight. Now if it hits I get up and walk around the office a bit to distract myself. Drinking water sometimes helps to. Not only does it put something in my belly but it makes me have to get up to use the bathroom:embarassed: .
  • LisaC1026
    LisaC1026 Posts: 1,203 Member
    I have started a support thread to help keep each other motivated and encouraged. Here's the link if you are interested in joining...

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/63691-a-new-me-let-s-get-started
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