How to stop snacking?

[Embelline]

Just that really, I seem to have developed a bit of an addiction! I'm putting on weight and feel disgusting. I need to cut it out but I can't seem to stop.

Can you swap to healthier snacks like veg sticks, low calories crackers etc?

Don't buy it.

Protein.

I was the same - lots of mindless snacking particularly in the evening after the kids were in bed. About 2 months ago I set myself the challenge of not eating anything after 7pm, so was still having snacks during the day but managed to stop the evening eating. It helped to have something to do with my hands - crochet, knit, cross stitch or even just playing games on my phone as that distracted me.
I've since managed to cut down the day snacking too by not bringing any change to work for vending machines and trying to drink lots of water when I feel peckish - I still have the occasional packet of crisps or chocolate bar.
The weight is slowly coming off which has encouraged me to keep at it.
I think don't go cold turkey as that way just leads to feeling rubbish when you cave in and have something. Maybe identify the times you're more likely to snack and set a goal of not having anything during that time to break the cycle.

Thanks for the suggestions @Peony654 I think in truth, because of the snacking, I've become addicted to sugar as the healthier snacks don't seem to give me the same satisfaction. I need to break the habit, I know, so maybe I can try to force myself to replace the snacks with healthier options initially and then do something like @ThankYouKindly said, nothing after 7pm. It's so hard to break a bad habit.

What I'm trying when I fancy a snack like chocolate or crisps or what have you is making a snack plate which is 3 things 1) the treat I fancy 2) something fresh like fruit, veg sticks, etc and 3) something protein like peanut butter for apple sticks to dip in, baby bel, protein yoghurt, cooked chicken. Then my snack is nutritious but I still get the snack I really wanted.

Have you tried eating your dinner later?

I have always been a big snacker! Habit and boredom! Eat healthy all day and from 8pm the snack gremlin takes hold watching tv!

Started intermittent fasting a month ago and the cravings have stopped! I have my last meal about 5-6pm and then that's it. I go for a walk and then do kids bedtime and stay upstairs, podcast / clean / sort! It's broken the habit

Also I was drinking so much coffee in the morning so snacking was replacing the caffeine crash with sugar!

Brush and floss my teeth. I bloody hate doing it so a snack had better be amazing to justify me doing them again before bed

Not having tempting snack foods around works for me. I’m terrible for tidying up a loaf of bread every time I walk past if it is in view so I have to slice it up and freeze it.
For sitting in front of the tv I find having something to do with my hands helps, having a large water bottle or glass with plain or fizzy water and eating chewing gum.
I do have a bag of boiled sweets around as they give you a sugar hit but you can make one sweet last a long time.

I've started sometimes going to the gym/for a run once kids in bed. Keeps me too busy to snack and I actually don't feel like eating when I get back in and showered. Depends on

Black coffee before 11am and then peppermint tea to keep me busy.

As @frozendaisy said, don't buy snacks or have them in the house. Then when you get the snackies at 7pm, you'll have the choice of an apple and some cheese, or toast and marmite.

It works for me. There's only so much toast and Marmite a person can eat 🙂

You don't need chunks of cheese do you 😩

Don't buy snacks (sweets, crisps, biscuits, cakes, etc.)
Clean your teeth after meals
Use hand cream
Get busy doing stuff, especially messy activities (gardening, painting, preparing non-snack meals)
Go for a walk

Such a sugar free sweet instead .

🙄
You don't *mean chunks of cheese do you

You're not disgusting. That is internalised fat phobia talking - its no way to talk about yourself.

By all means change your eating habits, but please don't view yourself so unkindly.

I agree with intermittent fasting and cutting out the sugar.

Previously I would skip breakfast but have fruit or cereal bar at break time, then lunch and something sweet afterwards, and be STARVING and ready to eat loads of sweets/chocolate on the way home from work.

Recently I've tried not to eat until lunch, then I have some salady stuff with some cheese and meat and one piece of fruit, and I'm not hungry in the morning or the afternoon and can easily go until dinner without eating anything. And my sweet tooth is gone. Without the sugar highs and lows you feel so much more even tempered and have such a more regulated appetite, it's amazing.

I will say the first couple of days I was really hungry though! Then it all settles down and it's easier. I have whatever I want for dinner (so no feeling of deprivation) and try not to snack in the evening.