Recently I seem to have ignited a passion for snacking. I’m meant to wear my invisalign brace for around 22 hours a day, just removing it to eat. At first it was a brilliant deterrent. The faff of removing the aligners and then having to brush after a chocolate digestive meant I was snack free. However after a few weeks, the novelty wore off and I found myself routinely day-dreaming about a slice of lemon drizzle cake and a bag of chocolate buttons. I started wearing the brace less and less just to accommodate a sugar fix.
I think because food became forbidden (at least when wearing the aligners), I couldn’t stop thinking about it.
Stopping Snacking
Boredom, tiredness and stress can all trigger a bout of snacking. For me, it’s definitely a way to combat my tiredness. Despite knowing a sugar high will quickly be followed by an energy slump, I’ve found I’m in that biscuit tin far too frequently. A couple of weeks ago I decided enough was enough and have been doing a few things to cut down.
Don’t Buy Them
I can’t bear for food to go to waste. If the cupboards are full of snacks then inevitably so am I. First step was to stop buying snacks and NEVER ever go shopping when hungry.
Drink More Water
I wrote a post a couple of years ago about drinking more water and revisited it for the best tips. I know when I’m thirsty I can be guilty of eating rather than drinking to overcome it. Keeping on top of my water intake definitely cuts down on snacking.
Wear My Brace More
I keep telling myself there was no point forking out for orthodontic treatment if a Cherry Bakewell is going to scupper my plans for a straight smile.
Do An Earlier Bedtime Routine
We usually eat fairly late in the evening and so afterwards I’m going straight upstairs to do my bedtime routine; make-off and teeth brushed and flossed. That way I’m a less likely to be found with a spoon in the ice-cream as I can’t be bothered to go through all that rigmarole again. Also it makes me super smug when I can just climb straight into bed later on.
Similarly, I remember a friend of mine stopped chomping on a daily chocolate bar by brushing her teeth at 2pm.
Slow Down Eating
I think I’m pretty good at making sure I eat a varied, protein packed diet with lots of veg but I’m sure I could do better at eating foods that will keep me fuller for longer. One thing I find that helps is to eat slower and chew more especially at lunchtime. This means I’m not quite so hungry when it gets to about 3pm and less likely to open the cupboards.
Sleep More
Ha ha ha. If only! Although Naomi does have some excellent tips on sleeping more. My snacking is definitely due to tiredness. I mentioned last week I’ve started going to bed earlier so hopefully my body will catch up one day soon.
What do you do to curb snacking? Anyone else find the sugar high isn’t worth the sugar low?
I snack and can’t get past sugar cravings. I try to plan what my snacks will be, I know I’m going to be hungry around 11 and probably 3. So I have a snack draw at my desk. I bring in fruit, rice crackers and nuts.
Also making sure you’ve eaten enough at meals, after a gym class or hockey match I need to eat more otherwise I’m raiding the cupboards.
I never really used to snack Jenny. I don’t know what’s wrong with me! Your snacks sound a whole lot more healthy than mine.
Oh yes, I have been a champion snacker mainly of chocolate-based products! I actually saw a dietician earlier this year to help me get back on track after 2 children and far too much snacking. It was the best decision ever, however 6 months later the bad snacks are sneaking back in… I know what to do to change things around I just need the will power and a few days of sticking to the rules! Denying yourself things though definitely isn’t the answer, it is about having the “right” snacks when you need them as fuel for your body, and then you can have the biscuit/square of chocolate (not a whole bar – note to self!!) if you still want it afterwards. Actually 90% of it is having the right meals, then you don’t want the sugary snacks. What that looks like will be different for everyone but for me having a properly filling and balanced breakfast sets me up right for the day and really helps curb the sugary snacking. I still snack, in fact I was positively told to snack (albeit the right ones 🙂 ), but I’m more likely to need something small to keep me going (and it is easier to stay away from the sugar). I say this while merrily tucking into a bar of chocolate so I clearly need to readjust my breakfast and practice what I preach! Sleep is such a major snack influencer though. I kept a diary at the beginning of my time with the dietician, which included sleep and exercise, and it is amazing to see how quickly your eating habits change when you are tired.
Love that a dietician got you back on track Annie. The diary is such a good idea!
I found Sally from Fitnaturally’s articles very helpful. https://www.fitnaturally.co.uk/?s=Snack
Totally with you on the early bedtime routine, definitely stops the evening snacking and I love being able to jump straight into bed! My worst is at work as I’m at a desk based job and it’s boredom and stress, and there’s always snacks and treats around the office!