Snacks for when you can't stop

[Morecustardcreams]

Desperately trying to lose some weight but I have a life long addiction to snacking. I'm not fussy, I will snack on whatever is available. So please give me your ideas!

I am switching crisps and biscuits for chopped carrots, apples, cucumber, peppers and whatever else I've got. I've also rediscovered the joys of eating half a jar of gherkins and pickled onions. I also like full fat Greek yoghurt with banana or strawberries. High in fat but keeps me full.

Any ideas please?

Ive been snacking on cucumber slices topped with cottage cheese and sprinkle of sesame seeds/black pepper

Thank you for this.
I definitely reach for snacks as a distraction, mainly at work when I don't want to do the next task, or am tired (ie always).
I am totally on board with the suggestions to work on meals first. I'm just full of excuses/reasons why it's easier to quickly eat a bowl of sugary cereal whilst desperately attempting to get the children ready for nursery, or why I chuck a ready made soup and piece of bread in for lunch whilst I'm doing my admin, or shove down freezer rubbish because we're home late and I'm exhausted. How does anyone manage to be prepping freshly cut vegetables and boiled eggs before work?!

Are you snacking out of habit / boredom or hunger?
I have lost a lot of weight and hardly snack at all now.....Instead of constant snacking I focus on eating meals that keep me full.....more fiber and protein in my meals has really made a difference.

Fruits like grapes, are very easy to overeat.

Add a bit of honey to your yogurt. I also like prawns as a treat, with seafood dip.

A lot of the snacks suggested here will quickly pile on the calories and prevent you from losing weight. Try to gradually focus less on snacking.
I have a sweet tooth and get the munchies in the evening. At the moment ice lollies seem to be helping, but they need to be the cheap almost flavourless variety, so just 30/40 calories.

Home made granola bars make as healthy or unhealthy as you like

Mixed nuts, with dried fruit if you like.

Roasted chickpeas or butter beans with salt and chilli powder - make them yourself.

Salted roasted edamame beans, you can get big packs on amazon.

Ideally, don't start but if you have to snack, snack on a thing that is contained rather than a 'just one more' thing - so food like a yoghurt, an apple, a cereal bar, a hard boiled egg, a small packet of baked crisps or nuts - not biscuits, crackers, cereal or anything you have to portion out.

Grapes, cherries, blueberries, pistachios are good you have to remove the shell so generally eat less of them. Sugar free mints are good to stop snacking. Also I'm drinking more cordial at the moment. I really like the Robinson's creations (peach and raspberry and lemon and raspberry) having a small glass makes me snack less and it's minimal calories.

@Morecustardcreams I was going to suggest that you look at why you snack as well.

I tend to fill up at mealtimes and therefore don't feel the need to snack between meals. I make sure I eat plenty of protein because it keeps me feeling fuller for longer.

What type of meals do you eat? Can you give some examples?

Just buy a bag of corn kernels, add one teaspoon of olive oil and 50g of kernels to a pan, put lid on and heat until they pop. Add salt.

Shake every now and then so they don't burn.

Cheese strings, and tear them up into the tiny strings! I've just discovered these - gives my hands something to do too!

Ice pops.

Celery - occupies a lot of mouth time :)

M+S Fiery Pickles.

Ryvita and marmite. Or those Pumpkin seed and Emmental crackers (or whatever they're called - M+S and waitrose sell them, big rectangular in a cellophane packet) with primula cheese spread or cream cheese.

I do them in batches. I make my work breakfasts and lunches on a Sunday when I also prep a batch of pasta sauce for the week..
I also roast a chicken to shred and keep in a bowl in the fridge for snacking on.

Can you train yourself to have a glass of water or even a cup of tea every time you feel like snacking?

Cantaloupe and watermelon. Low calorie but great for a sweet treat. Finish with a square of 85% dark chocolate.

Also M&S chilli & coriander prawns. Whole packet is 100cals and 18g protein.

Thanks for all the great snack ideas!

To those of who have suggested I eliminate snacking altogether - I like snacking and eat little and often. I am just taking steps to eliminate the junk with more sensible options. I'm not after a holier than thou lecture on the sins of snacking🙄

It's not that deep. I am just after some suggestions on healthier snacks.

I’m also trying to lose weight and I’ve just stopped buying snacks. It was really hard at first but I don’t miss them anymore and it’s really speeding up my weight loss.

Try drinking something that feels like a treat but is almost no calories. I like kombucha

Protein shakes - low calorie and high protein and v easy when pushed for time

Can I just confess that I've eaten way more breadsticks than I intended to.

I seem to craving sweet rather than savoury on my diet. Strawberries and a meringue nest. Ski mousse. Tesco Valencia orange Ice lollies. Savoury - sweet chili hummus and carrot sticks.

One of my favourite snacks is a spoon or two of Longley farm cottage cheese straight out of the pot. It seems to be the latest fad for gym goers and people wanting to max out their protein however, so the price has gone up so much recently.

What I often have when I’m trying to keep off carbs, is an apple, cut into eighths, a piece of cheese, cut into 8 small cubes, and a chunk of white cabbage.