how to cut snacking

[Anonymous]

I am trying to lose 15 pounds and doing well on the exercise front - I got some sessions with a trainer and am going to the gym 3-4 days a week. My meals are usually healthy - I'm vegetarian and I cook most of the meals at home. If I eat out, its typically a salad or maybe one cheat dinner over the weekend. But I haven't lost a single pound over the last few months and it is beginning to depress me.
I think its because all the snacking is piling up..I snack mostly because of stress or just feeling like snacking in the evenings when there is stuff lying around for the kids. I am in a rut that I need to get out of. Pls help with ideas/inspiration/anything that will make the scale move.

[Anonymous]

Keep raw vegetables at the ready for snacking: baby carrots, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes. Have them washed and ready to eat.

[Anonymous]

1) Are you eating enough during your meals? You may be better off eating slightly more so you're not tempted later.

2) Don't buy the snacks! Buy what your kids/DH need but mentally make these off limits for yourself (maybe put it in a separate cupboard so you wont be as easily tempted)

3) Plan your meals and snacks in advance. Have a good supply of healthy and low calorie snacks on hand.

4) Studies have shown that exercise alone is not an effective method for weight loss. It has been shown that many people unconsciously eat more to make up for what they burn in exercise. Exercise is great for general health but to lose weight you need to focus on diet.

[Anonymous]

Don’t have the snacks you like in your house! It makes it easier to stop eating them at night when you are bored and want to snack

[Anonymous]

Do your meals have enough fat in them? You aren’t going to get tons of protein as a vegetarian, but adding fat to meals should help you stay satiated. Cook in olive oil, use an oil based salad dressing, eat nuts/nut butters in your yogurt or oatmeal.

[Anonymous]

You’re probably not getting enough protein, which is especially important if you’re exercising.

As far as snacks, keep flavored waters, herbal teas, sugar-free gum on hand, and reach for those if you need something.

Make sure you’re drinking enough water.

[Anonymous]

Stop snacking. Period. If you are eating enough at meals, you don’t need snacks nutritionally. Every time you find yourself getting the urge to snack, drink a glass of water or some tea. If you tell yourself that effective immediately, you will only eat at mealtimes, rather than looking for “healthy snacks” or “small snacks” you will be more successful. It takes 21 days to break a habit. Start today.

[Anonymous]

Look into Bright Line Eating. You don't have to do the boot camp and other stuff, but the book and meal plan have been helping me. I'm eating more at meals than I'm used to, but don't feel the need to snack as a result.

[Anonymous]

I got these mints called Sweet Defeat (no I don’t work for them!) because I have a major sweet tooth. They work for about an hour or so and they do something to your taste buds that makes sugary things taste like crap. They do work.

I have been working out so I haven’t lost any weight on the scale, but I’ve toned up a bit from working out and having the extra help to cut out sugary snacks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I got these mints called Sweet Defeat (no I don’t work for them!) because I have a major sweet tooth. They work for about an hour or so and they do something to your taste buds that makes sugary things taste like crap. They do work.

I have been working out so I haven’t lost any weight on the scale, but I’ve toned up a bit from working out and having the extra help to cut out sugary snacks.

I've never heard of these. Has anyone else tried them? It looks like there are other brands like Crave Crush. They are expensive and basically only available through their websites. If it works, it would be so helpful for me. Of course, I'd also need another product then to curb salty snack cravings!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don’t have the snacks you like in your house! It makes it easier to stop eating them at night when you are bored and want to snack

This. Also a strict rule to never eat the kid's food.

Every single night I think "damnit, I wish we had ice cream" and I make a mental note to buy some. And then at the store I think "it's a VERY GOOD THING we don't have ice cream at home and I am not buying it".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Keep raw vegetables at the ready for snacking: baby carrots, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes. Have them washed and ready to eat.

+1
I keep carrots and celery and apples in the fridge for when I want to snack.

[Anonymous]

Write down everything you eat. Weight loss is 80% diet and 20% exercise. Brush your teeth after meals (good for dental hygiene anyways).

[Anonymous]

I just have a hard rule that I don't eat between meals (including after dinner), PERIOD. The only exception is that if I have that hot/shaky feeling from low blood sugar, I can eat some plain raw vegetables while I prepare dinner. I always keep baby carrots and pea pods around for this purpose.

[Anonymous]

I still have a little dessert, but it's right after dinner, and it's small. I finish eating dinner with my family at about 6:45/7 p.m., and that's it. Nothing until breakfast.

It's hard for about 5 days, but then you get used to it, to the point where you'll feel a little uncomfortable if you go to bed with a full stomach.

But here's how to cut snacking in the evenings: don't snack. Instead of putting food in your mouth, don't. Instead of eating, don't eat.