Ok everyone I am really having a hard time with wanting to snack all afternoon. Does anyone have any suggestions? I have a mini goal to lose 10 pounds and I really want to achieve it but I have got to get over this wanting food all afternoon.
Where are you in the afternoons? At home? At work? Can you get outside for a walk? Schedule some volunteering or a class at that time? Stock the office with healthy things to snack on? (This was huge for me, we used to just have pretzels and cookies at the office, so I got rid of those and started bringing in more fruit and yogurt for my afternoon munchies).
If you can, I think getting out of whatever environment you are in at that time will help.
I second Seagirl, you need to try to get out of the environment or bring healthy snacks in. Make sure you are eating a decent breakfast if you're hungry in the morning so that you aren't feeling the need to snack all day, that was key for me. As long as I get enough healthy fats in the morning I am satisfied for the day, if I eat anything with carbs in the morning it triggers me to want more snacks throughout the day(but thats just me.) Try to evaluate your day and see where some changes could be made to make you successful and achieve that goal! You can do it!
Since I have about a 200 calorie snack every afternoon I would portion it out. A cheese stick at 2, 7 almonds at 2:45, 2 wasa bread at 3:45, clementine at 4:30... that way you can nibble nibble nibble but it's controlled!!!
The number one thing I do is eat a 100 calorie snack pack-- enough to give you something in your tummy and let you feel satisfied, but not enough to do damage. If I don't have those, I portion out a snack (mini rice cakes, NutriGrain bar, granola bar, etc), but try not to go over 200 calories. If that's still a problem, you may want to consider something with more protein in it, like nuts or a small protein bar. That way, you really do feel filled!
I have 3 T of flaxseed meal every day, I use it to boost my fiber intake. I mix a tablespoon of nut butter into it and a drop of cane sugar syrup. Mixed together it tastes like a cookie but is so filling. I have this at 3 pm with a cup of hot tea. It holds me all the way to dinner. Golden flaxseed meal is my favourite.
Well I am in this situation too. I am a SAHM with 2 littles at home so I can't really go anywhere to remove myself though this summer I am going to try and go outside and play in water with them during this "witching hour" as a distraction.
I just bought some sunflower seeds for me - thinking since they take so long to eat it might work... so I am going to try it out.
It really is everyday from 1-4:30 that I just want to eat and eat. So hard
I'm in the same boat with you. For me the munchies strike between 2 and 5:30. I chew gum to get through it. Doesn't always work, but it definitely cuts down on the food I would consume without the gum. I chew 5 cal Extra. I know why I have this issue...it was always my peak time for smoking, and I quit nearly 4 months ago. Maybe gum will help you too! Good luck!
Another thing I do is just eat my dinner at 4pm. Usually hummus, pita, veggies and hard boiled eggs. Then when 6pm rolls around, I'm ready for yoga and by the time I get home after that I'm still not hungry so I just have a glass of milk and go to bed.
Listening to my body and feeding it when it's hungry, even if it's not a "normal" time (and then not feeding it when it's not hungry at the "normal" time) seems to work better for me.
Also, if you are THAT hungry, look at what you are eating for lunch, if i have too many carbs or not enough protien, i set myself up for a binge later. I have to have a lot of protien and even some healthy fat to keep me "in check" all afternoon.
Afternoon Struggles
