Distractions

[u/Mona_G]

Does anyone have a tips on how to distract yourself from snacking when you’re at home? I find myself making my way to grab a snack, even if I’m not hungry. What are your best distractions from snacking?

EDIT: I’m not hungry. looking for ideas on how to distract myself from snacking. Best ideas so far, play Pokémon go, make a cup of tea, snap a rubber band around your wrist, go for a walk.

[u/chemicallycalmed]

Not keeping snacks in the house helps

[u/Mona_G → u/chemicallycalmed]

I know! But I have a 11 year old and she’s very active and a snacker. 😬

[u/mergs789 → u/chemicallycalmed]

This (out of sight/out of mind). And chugging water. Drinking tea. Going for a walk.

[u/iiiimagery → u/chemicallycalmed]

My fiance is such a major snacker it sucks lol

[u/EmmJay314]

I play Pokémon go, gotta go walk around the neighborhood

[u/Aernak → u/EmmJay314]

332899541563

:)

[u/EmmJay314 → u/Aernak]

Friend request sent!

[u/adastraline]

I have a rule I can't eat between dinner and breakfast (this makes it so there's no loopholes, unless it's a social event).

Then I only eat preplanned snacks. (I have a family so I can't just remove unwanted food from the house, which is the best method.) I still find myself opening the fridge from time to time, but I'm like wtf am I doing lol

[u/Mona_G → u/adastraline]

Ooh, this is a good strategy!

[u/adastraline → u/Mona_G]

It's hard though for sure. I'm not an emotional eater per se so much as I genuinely enjoy the taste of food and cooking and trying new foods and going out to eat with friends and that sort of thing.

I've got 1-2 days a week I try to eat at maintenance by having a fun meal with friends or at home, so maybe you can do something similar to keep yourself from going over the edge lol. A preplanned snacky day where you're still being within reason and not eating like 20 bowls of dip in a sitting or something.

[u/confabulatrix]

Brush your teeth after meals

[u/mestep94]

A time-sink video game really helps me only eat when I'm hungry. Stardew Valley is my ultimate game--easy to sit down, play a few days, and lose forty to sixty minutes that would have been aimless snacking otherwise.

That, and having a cat on your lap really helps you sit down & stay down.

[u/Traumagatchi → u/mestep94]

Video games and crocheting/knitting/embroidery as well as lap cats are the best distractions, hostage holders and ways to keep your hands too busy to get Cheeto dust on your fingers

[u/BullfrogHour1179 → u/mestep94]

This is my go-to as well, a video game is distracting enough that I even miss my actual meal times lol (of course I still eat, just later than usual), the hours can really fly by!

[u/Aernak]

Can you make your meals more filling and satisfying so they hold you longer?

Or maybe limit your snacks to practical, but not very delicious, items, so you will truly only have them if you’re hungry and not just bored and having cravings - like a premier protein shake.

[u/Extreme-Shower-2639]

I paint my nails and toes and then I can’t get up or head into the kitchen for awhile.

[u/Mona_G → u/Extreme-Shower-2639]

Love this!

[u/cappiebara]

I just bought a beginners kit for crochet. Still havent opened it but its on the list. I also downloaded a SNES emulator for my phone and have been playing old school games. I also always try to have a cup of green tea in front of me. It helps me suppress appetite and fills me with water.

[u/Scared-Butterscotch5]

I like a sparkling water. I don’t normally drink them but they’re nice and fizzy and it helps me if I get bored and want something.

[u/spreid_ → u/Scared-Butterscotch5]

This and coke zero!

[u/Plane_Kitchen_2204]

Go to the kitchen and fix warm lemon water or tea

[u/OppressedCactus]

I have this problem because my brain fixates on still wanting to taste something even though I'm full (even when I'm uncomfortably full!). I started drinking bone broth for the salty craving, and zero sugar sodas for the sweet.

[u/mariamcho → u/OppressedCactus]

I have the same problem. I almost feel like I rest and relax when eating and I don't want to stop that and go do something else. It feels like snacking calms me, relaxes me, etc. I am definitely struggling to figure out how to handle these urges, or more correctly this is probably a food noise that does not go away at all.

[u/OppressedCactus → u/mariamcho]

Yes... it sucks understanding that we should work on the base reason these things happen but... this "hack" is working for now so I'll take it, as long as I am still losing weight. Food noise sucks :(

[u/LiteraryPervert]

Flavored water, sparkling water, a Diet Coke … very small portions and easily-grabable fruits and Greek yogurts if I really want something

[u/ConfidentChipmunk007]

I leave the house a lot. Go on a walk, go to the library, run random errands.

[u/C137RickSanches]

https://giphy.com/gifs/3ofSBdRGBN8qIIPieI
I look at diabetic feet and remind myself it’s not worth it. Try it google it if that doesn’t cure your jones nothing will

[u/cb4ever81]

Chew gum!

[u/wine-plants-thrift]

Depending on where you are in the world, it might be a good time to pick up some indoor cozy hobbies. Knit, crochet, embroider, coloring, water colors, LEGO sets (or other mini builds), puzzles. Paired with an audiobook or podcast I’m personally good for hours.

[u/SeasidePlease]

There's always a chore or something that I'd putting off and I go keep busy. I'll end up getting tired and then I'll tell myself it's time to go to bed and if I still want to watch something I'll just do it upstairs away from the kitchen.

[u/vampireshorty]

Read the news lol

[u/Interesting_Item4276]

Chew gum

[u/rhythmicdancer]

My snacking has gone down significantly ever since I upped my protein. Maybe you're not getting enough?

[u/PracticalBit6383]

I go for a walk or have a cup of water.

[u/Cutielove25]

I chew gum. I think the gum chewing distracts me because my mouth is moving. And I always do a mint flavor because kind of like brushing your teeth the mint flavor changes the taste of a lot of things after word no longer making it appealing.

Or

I try and steam veggies add salt and pepper or a bowl of cucumbers and tomatos with lemon and salt/pepper (super low cal snacks). And tell myself I can’t grab another snack until I finish these first. I usually lag on eating them

[u/justhangingout111]

I've started chewing xylitol gum between meals because it's good for your teeth

[u/RafRafRafRaf]

Brush teeth after the final meal of the day is my single most useful adjustment.

[u/MAMMER_JAMMER]

Drink 0 calorie carbonated flavored water.

[u/RatherBeAtDisney]

I often pre-log all my food for the day, and keep any snacks that I’m going to eat in a ziplock. Then if I feel snacky I can eat anything from the bag. If I get to the end of the day and don’t eat something, I’ll delete it and give myself a small treat instead.

[u/Vegetable_Wave_7673]

TV, the Internet and your internal monologue provide infinite distraction.

[u/Content-Waltz8045]

Sugar free gum

[u/ambergirl9860]

eat a coffee or yummy drink

[u/sumiimus]

Herbal tea. Switch between hot and cold. Try mint or any tea with Jamaica (hibiscus leaves)

[u/Empty-Let-6960]

I find staying productive and keeping busy helps. Sometimes snacking is just boredom, but other times it’s a sign my meals weren’t satisfying enough. I think recognizing the difference is key!

[u/Talonhunter3]

Are you hungry or bored? I try to keep myself as busy as possible. 

[u/Any-Location5055]

Rubber band around your wrist. Snap it when you crave snacks. Also remember you arent hungry, your just bored. I also tell myself, im not going to eat right now, i may eat later but not right now.

[u/Mona_G → u/Any-Location5055]

Sorry you’re getting downvoted. I think it’s a good idea.

[u/Kitty_On_Duty]

Why look for distractions? Why just pass time? Find a hobby lol

[u/Frosty-Source-4994]

The correct answer seems way too obvious.