Snacking?
 

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?

Nuts, Special K bars (90cals), fruit

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 :D

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 keep fruit, low fat muffins and Light chips handy

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 dont buy those 100 cal packs (too expensive)

I buy the Light chips and package them in ziplock bags. I can have 11 of the doritos kind for 110 cal (i think it is) so i put 11 in each bag

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

I snack all of the time! I used to eat 1-2 times per day, big meals! Now I eat 6 smaller meals/snacks per day and I am never hungry.

Veggies are free for me. I can eat raw veggies all day long and I don't even bother to count them.