Is anyone else trying to break the habit of snacking? I picked it up in college: food everywhere and since I held such weird hours (waking at 8, finally heading to bed at like 1-2 am with naps in between, up all night on the weekends, all-nighters at finals or when huge papers were due), it was a way to make sure I eat. However, now, it's like a habit. I just find myself keeping food by my computer and just mindlessly eating.
Any other snackers out there? What are you doing to break out of this habit?
I've been snacking on oranges and clemtines alot lately you cant just grab them out of the bag and stuff them in your mouth like chips or crackers, you have to peel each one and eat one section at a time
I've always been a huge snacker. It helps to not think of them as snacks--think of them as mini-meals, and have 5 or 6 mini-meals a day rather than thinking in terms of 3 meals and indefinite snacking. Put it on a plate, sit down, and enjoy what you're eating, rather than absentmindedly munching. It's actually better for a woman's metabolism that way, and if your mini-meals are healthy it should keep you more energized.
Snacking is not necessarily bad if you choose healthful foods (some people are better if they have a snack so they don't get too hungry and binge during meal times) ~ my snacks consist of a few whole wheat crackers, or a fruit or a square of dark chocolate.
I think it's partly finding good things to snack on...but keep in mind that even good foods can be calorie-laden if you have too much.
Portion out your snacks. Put them in little snack baggies or whatever. Then, KEEP THEM IN THE KITCHEN! Preferably on a high shelf. Don't keep any other snack foods available, so that if you want a snack, you *have* to go to the "snack spot" in your kitchen and deliberately get a bag. Once that bag's done, don't go back for another! 1 bag per snack.
I don't think snacking is a bad habit, as long as your snacks serve a purpose. Mindless snacking is a bad habit, sure, but if you have snacks in between your meals to keep your body running -- energy up -- metabolism chugging along -- then it's not something you should try to take out of your life!
When I start looking to mindlessly snack, I pick up something to occupy my hands for 20 minutes.... Usually knitting. It's the only thing I find will totally discourage snacking. I can snack while I read, type, watch a movie... but not when I knit! Find something that will distract you from your urge to snack long enough for the urge to pass.
My newest thing is low-fat Laughing Cow Cheese (35 calories/2 g fat.. which is kind of high for the low cals but it's satisfying) spread on celery sticks. It's crunchy and semi-salty, which are two things I usually crave