How do you handle munchies & cravings?

[hippahips]

Ladies, I just ate half a big bag of Sunchips, which I bought for my toddler who loves them. Now there's a lump sitting in my stomach. I do not want to feel guilty -- I work out six days a week and am pretty strict with myself... I deserve a break. I'm rationalizing as I type this: Sunchips has less fat than Cheetos and definitely better than a Cinnabon drenched with butter frosting, and I'm doing IMAX 2 tomorrow, which is really tough. Then come the buts: BUT I could've eaten an apple instead. BUT I could have at least balanced the chips with some low fat cottage cheese. BUT I could just as well have taken a nap and spared myself a weak moment... You get the point. So my question is this: Anyone has any good tips on battling such unhealthy urges and the equally unhealthy guilt afterwards? Thanks a bunch!

 

[wendyloo]

RE: How do you handle munchies & cravings?

Hi! First, we all do it, so don't be too hard on yourself...
If I'm going to feel guilty eating it, I don't buy it. If it isn't in the house, I won't eat it. So, why buy things for your toddler that you don't consider healthy? If they aren't good for you, they certainly aren't good for him/her. (Aside from the obvious need for more fat content in the diets of young children...)

I have a sweet tooth, and I find that if I don't have a healthy(ish) version of sweets, I'll go get a high fat, high sugar version like a piece of cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory. I keep my freezer stocked with fat-free sugar-free fudgcicles (1 POINT for WW) and also like sugar-free pudding with light cool whip. These aren't actually good for me (all fake ingredients), but they do prevent me from having cravings for Ben and Jerrry's...

I also like low fat chocolate chip Quaker (I think) granola bars. 2 POINTS each, and enough chocolate and sweetness to satisfy me.

I never really crave salty snacks, but if I do, I tend to go for cashews or other nuts and a can of V8 or tomato juice.

To combat snacking, I eat frequently throughout the day so that I don't feel the need for cruddy food! I try to eat a lot of fiber to keep me full:
grapenuts with fruit and a little yogurt=breakfast

spinach with chickpeas, any vegetables on hand, and light dresssing=lunch

chicken, fish or pork with veggies=dinner (leftovers can go in the next days lunch)

in between those I always eat fruit: apples, kiwis, mangos, berries

other good snacks: banana with peanut butter, whole wheat light toast or english muffin with peanut butter, dried fruit: prunes, cherries, raisins, etc, small low fat cottage cheese, edamame, raw veggies

I found a great cookbook: Weight Watchers Make it In Minutes. Every meal takes either 15, 20 or 30 minutes to prepare, they are all delicious, and seem pretty healthy to me.

Maybe too much information, but I thought I'd share By making lots of small meals, I avoid the issue of snacking unhealthily. But hte key is to now buy those snacks in the first place.
Wendy

 

[KathyH]

Hi There! You already got great advice from Wendy but I do want to emphasize to not filling up your pantry w/junk. Take it from me I have an overweight son & I definitely cannot have any junk food lying around. I do have at eye level in the refrigerator the right kind of snacks to eat strawberries or any kind of berries for that matter; fat free plain yogurt w/no sugar muesli (far better than the granola too much sugar); apples w/handful of almonds or walnuts & black bean/corn salsa put this on whole wheat crackers. Also do try to eat 5-6 small meals a day combining protein & carbs at every meal. Since I've been doing this now for 1 1/2 yrs. I have no cravings at all. I hate to see you do all this exercise for naught. Good luck! Kathy;-)

 

[AKirkland]

You've probably heard this before, but try to get a balance of carbs, protein and healthy fats in your snacks. Personally, I find it hard to quit munching when the snack is heavy - or all - carbs. Some nut butter or cheese with your Sunchips might help fill you up better.

Angela