You go to the movies and have to get a popcorn and a soda, not because you're hungry at the moment, but because you're watching a movie. Who watches a movie without popcorn?!
Better yet, you're going to a potluck and you have to try every one's dish, even though you just ate before the event. Oh, and since you're going out for drinks later on that night, you have to get an appetizer to balance out the buzz (even though, again, you're not hungry).
Going home to watch TV? No biggie, you can just sit, watch and snack on your favorite food, right?
Whether you are eating because you have groceries in the house (fully stocked!), or you feel like since you are starting a new diet tomorrow, all the bad food needs to get out the house and since you're not down for throwing away food...
Meaningless snacking occurs.
Snacking without being hungry is dangerous to your body. Over time, it will make you lose touch with your body's ability to judge whether or not the hunger is real, and in turn will cause overeating. Overeating can then turn to unwanted weight gain that could also potentially lead you down the path of diabetes, heart disease and other conditions that have a negative effect on your health.
Control your snacking by implementing these simple techniques in your daily diet and lifestyle:
Only eat when you're hungry. No, I'm not talking about when you THINK you are hungry (12 o'clock noon because that's when I eat lunch everyday). No. I'm talking about true hunger - when your stomach growls. That is a clear, cut indicator that it's time to eat. Your body is responding to your lack of food so feed it then and only then. I would also suggest drinking water if you THINK you are hungry. Chances are, you are really dehydrated and confusing the feeling with that of hunger.
Make it hard to snack by buying foods that you actually have to prepare to snack on. You will be less likely to heat up some edamame than pouring out some potato chips. It requires more work and more of your time, and during that time you can reflect on if your body actually needs that food. Dag on brain...
Keep healthy foods in the house. If you are a habitual snacker, at least snack on the good stuff. Veggies, fruits, and nuts should be easily accessible to the chronic snacker. Just remember to eat everything in moderation.
Save the last bite on the plate. You don't need that last bite and feeling stuffed is overrated. It actually doesn't do you any good to be too stuffed, and plus you will eat less if you forfeit that last bite.
Don't snack in front of the TV. As if the food commercials weren't enticing enough, sitting there wishing you were eating whatever is on screen while you're chomping on whatever's at hand can be detrimental to your health... and your TV remote (all those crumbs and all that grease)!
What are some methods that you use to prevent reckless snacking?
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