How do I stop my afternoon snacking?

[thechocolatemonster]

I would love to hear if anybody else has the same problem as me and how they've overcome it. I eat a good breakfast of porridge and salad for lunch. Then in the afternoon - well from about 3pm to 7pm I just feel like eating everything in sight - and often do.

Has anybody been able to stop themselves from doing this? I'd love to hear some tips!

Help!

I drink loads of tea instead.

I have snack a jacks as I also have to eat something topped up with fruit and plenty of water.

Every time you feel like snacking do something else until the craving passes. Ironing, cleaning, walking etc all boring but are good distractions

dont have snacks in the house

Go out......distraction.......keep occupied....I find the time straight after school dreadful for having an attack of the munchies. If I do have anything, it's something like apple/banana , but I cut it into chunks first so it takes longer to eat. Also I try and sip water instead of nibbling on stuff.

fruit
fat free yoghurt
low fat cereal bars
cereals (skimmed milk)
water

NO not fat free yoghurts

they are full of sugar

Eat a handful of seeds & nuts/ piece of fruit / pint of water.

All really good ideas. I just really want to avoid the afternoon snacks but can't wait until my husband comes home and we have dinner. I know I can do it - but for some reason I lack the willpower.

No reason why you can't allow yourself a healthy afternoon snack!

I eat my evening meal at 5:30pm, if not I'd be eating rubbish all afternoon!

What time do you have your lunch?

you could also have another bowl of porridge mid-avo, made with water, v healthy

loads of tea, or water, nibble nuts in moderation, or do something with your hands like knitting or sewing or painting or something that keeps them and your mind occupied - or phone a friend, so your mouth is kept active and you can't chew at the same time!

There?s nothing wrong with snacking if you make sure they?re healthy snacks. Everyone?s metabolism is different, and you may just need to eat little and often, rather than 3 big meals. I think it is healthier (I?m sure I?ve read that somewhere). Don?t beat yourself up about it. I eat what I want and I?m a size 8 (ha- that?s a total lie, just being naughty!!). Speaking from personal experience, by denying yourself you end up obsessing about food and eat crap because you?ve made yourself too hungry. Foods like porridge and brown bread/pasta/rice are good for slow release of energy, so theoretically to feel fuller longer.

Now I just need to practice what I preach

but my Yeo valley fat free yoghurt doesnt have any added sugar, it just has the milk's naturally occuring sugar.

(so there)[pulling tongue out emotion]

lol

i just think in general they have lots of sugar

inc weight watchers fat free

Yeah, many fat-free products have added sugar/sweetners so always read the label.

was flipping through threads and read this as

...'afternoon shagging'

but maybe that WOULD stop your afternoon snacking

(I snack in the afternoon too btw !!)

another bowl of porridge in the afternoon is a stroke of genius. I know that it's healthy so I won't just go on a pig out from about 3pm every day, which is what I currently do! I eat one thing and then think that the whole day's ruined - and then proceed to ruin it! But a bowl of porridge just might work - will fill me up and stop me from eating ridiculous stuff like the two crumpets with nutella that I just had now!! eek

you should eat an afternoon snack. If you eat your lunch around one and dinner around 6.30 you should eat a snack at about 4 ish, maybe a piece of fruit and some nuts, or crudites with hummous (complex carb + protein) to keep your blood sugar levels even and avoid the troughing. Avoid anythink "low fat" as this = HIGH SUGAR which will lead you to craving - and eating - more.

Have a look at the food doctor diet, Ian Marbar, gives lots of good and intereting advice on this. Whole focus on long term health & good habits rather than weight loss (but you will) and great suhhestings for meals and snacks

TBH I wouldn't eat a 2nd bowl in the afternoon. By all means have a different breakfast and porridge in the afternoon instead, but personally don't think it's a good idea to eat too often the same foods. Variety is important

hi there, i am the same! i eat like a pig as soon as we get in from school. It has been worse the last year as i quit smoking April 8th 2006 and have managed to put on nearly 2 STONE!!!!!

Havent had one cigarette though and am proud of that.