How can I stop the sugary snacking?

[Ihatejanuary78]

Mid afternoon I always crave sugar, is there a way I can stop myself reaching for the biscuits and chocolate??

If it's sweetness you crave you could try grapes, pineapple or strawberries.

Dont buy the sugary stuff
Eat a protein high lunch
Have a protein snack eg apple and nuts or nutt butter or greek yogurt with banana or protein shake

Yes maybe I could make myself a little bowl of say fruit and cheese to wean myself off.

Theres always going to be stuff in the house though cos I have a family!

I also second just not buying it. How old are your children? Mine are quite young but I don’t buy biscuits, crisps, cakes etc as standard in the weekly shop (as I too would just eat them plus they’re not really necessary to have all the time). I batch cook traybakes etc for lunch boxes but freeze individual portions so they’re out the way. I also find having chewing gum after my meal or when I’m wanting something sweet helps distract me!

what do you gave for lunch, if you’re faving a mid-afternoon sugar dip? Maybe have a more filling lunch?

Their health is just as important as yours, it sounds like not buying it could benefit you ask all.

I really think you just need to break the habit to get rid of the craving.

They are practically adults so I can’t stop them!

Make a little fruit cocktail for yourself or low sugar jelly. I've been intermittent fasting between 8pm and 12 noon and it's reduced sugar snacking to be honest.

Just discipline i guess, you just force yourself. Distraction, alternatives, breaking routine, drinking water..ultimately you need to remember your reason for cutting down

Don't buy them

Have less fattening snacks handy.

Acknowledge that sugar is t least as addictive as cocaine and that it’s not as simple as people like to make out.

I find approaching it this way and treating it as an addiction helps both to understand the craving and to forgive as needs be. The mindset change helps with changing eating habits little by little.

I used to try not to buy. I had massive cravings and binged on chocolate. Now I have a cupboard of treats. Knowing they’re there and available whenever I want means that I don’t need to eat them 'just now'. I can leave them for another time because I know they'll be there when I want them.

This is a massive change for me, but has helped me to cut down massively. We all have to find what works for us.

Thank you, that’s much more helpful than just don’t have it in the house. Even if it’s not in the house I would go out and buy it!

Dilute it by having cheese and dried fruit, then nuts and dried fruit, then nuts and cheese. I sometimes buy the sugar coated nuts so its a bit sweet but overall protein

Increase protein and veg in dinners and minimise the potato or pasta or whatever and you'll find the cravings get less, wont disappear altogether but its more manageable.

If I get a sugar craving I can sometimes fool it by having a hot salty drink, but it helps if you like Bovril or miso soup.

Try eating a pickled onion when you have the cravings. The taste left in your mouth should put you off having a biscuit. It really works.

I'm finding eating big breakfast - 2 eggs and toast plus bowl of fruit and yogurt. Then decent lunch has helped massively with sweet snacking.
My preferred go to is lidl choc popcorn bars. They are yum

I’ve been watching the glucose goddess on channel four (Eat Smart). One of the participants said that it was getting breakfast right that sorted the whole day for her. I understand this. I have overnight oats with yogurt and fruit for breakfast. This means I’m not dipping and snacking in the morning, have a lunch with protein and pick my sweet treat mid afternoon - a couple of dates seems to hit the sweet spot at present.

Up your protein and lower your carbs. So two eggs for breakfast instead of egg on toast, double portion of chicken soup for lunch, but no bread, big mackerel salad for dinner instead of tuna potato. Snack on full fat yoghurt and berries if needed, a few squares of dark chocolate for a sweet hit. You don’t need to rely on force or mind games, your body is genuinely sated by adding more protein. It really works!

I do have a big breakfast of greek yoghurt, fruit, nuts, something like that.
think it’s just a bad habit.

Watch the glucose goddess on C4 she has some good ideas to help

I’ve come up with two helpful solutions.

first is I’ve bought myself my own supply of my favourite sweet treat which is dairy milk, I’ve bought small bars and told myself they are only for me and I can have one a day. Knowing it’s there means I have a much more take it or leave attitude and I’m not eating sweet stuff I don’t even like just to get a sugar hit. Instead I’m savouring my bit of chocolate when I have it and knowing there will be more tomorrow. I’m having this in the evening.

second solution is making a large savoury snack for the afternoon. Maybe something on crackers or some fruit, cheese, etc. means I’m not hungry and breaking the sweet association with the afternoon.