SAH mom's and food-what do you do?

S

smurfette

Cathlete
Being at home all day and having the temptation of food is a toughie for me.

I'm preparing food, easy access to it. I had lost 15 pounds and put five of them back on pretty quick with the holidays. :(

I read in a magazine about using your other senses to help satisfy your cravings. They suggest using peppermint and citrus scents, looking at soothing colors like pink and listening to calming music while you eat.

I'm trying the scent strategy and it seems to help take the edge off.

Do any of you have any suggestions that work?

Danna
 
I've been a SAHM for almost eleven years and I am not tempted at all to overeat. I used to eat a lot more junk while working.

Don't see food as being bad for you, cut out the junk, eat only real meals (like a sandwich, nothing bite size), eat only at the kitchen table, drink a lot of water, coffee etc. to keep the urges down.

I wouldn't use any artificial scents - it can't be good for the lungs to constantly be exposed to chemicals. We get enough chemical exposure from our enviroment, we don't need to add to it;) .
 
A personal trainer told me that to cut sugar cravings she drinks a glass of water with lemon in it. I haven't tried it (I really don't crave sugar too much now) but I already drink a lot of water, too.

Try it -- it certainly can't hurt.

Marla G.
 
I'm a sahm, so I really feel for you. But remember who it is who buys the food you eat! Whatever is your downfall: sweets, pasta, bread, soda, cheese (yum, cheese - my MAJOR downfall!), don't keep much of it around. Make quick healthy snacks accessible. If you have cut up fruit maybe popcorn doesn't seem like such a good idea. If you have to cut up all the fruit, um popcorn sounds great! Also drink a lot of water. Often our body thinks it's hungry when it's thirsty. So a good sound advice is drink 8 oz of water and wait 10 minutes, if you're still hungry find a healthy snack to eat. What you eat is what you look like! You can do this and do it well. I use to eat a Kellogs Special K granola bar when I needed a sweet fix, I think it is only 90 calories and helps that edge, good luck!
 
Great ideas. I have been keeping a list of what seems to help. Definitely having cut up fruits and vegetables helps.

Water is veeeery helpful.

I'm exploring this because I have always been an emotional eater. I'm very successful in other areas of my life and this one is my achilles heel.

Thanks for taking the time to talk about this!

Danna
 
Funny you should mention the artifical scents. My husband is from Sweden and he said that they have outlawed all of those air fresheners that are power driven. They believe that the chemicals and propellants in those air fresheners are the same health risk as breathing diesel fuel all day - they just smell better.

I have been a SAHM for 4 years. I just plain don't snack unless it is a piece of fruit. One bite or chip turns into 10. I eat meals and that is it. Also, I know that it is really important to eat breakfast, but the earlier I eat, the more I want to eat. I eat something very small at 10 - like a piece of fruit and some nuts and then hold off until lunch. Not the healthiest thing in the world, but it took 40 lbs off me in a year.
Never, never, never develop a taste for PBJ crusts! They are yummy and always around!!!
Now I struggle with the last 10 or so and the Christmas cookie eating and batter licking set me back by about 6 lbs. I am back to no snacks and I am losing weight steadily and I don't feel hungry.
good luck. I also make a pot of tea in the afternoon before I make dinner. It keeps me from munching while I prepare dinner.

Melissa
 
I keep plenty of healthy alternatives around for me, and I keep snack foods for the kids that I don't like....like, I will buy them tortilla chips, since I can resist them...but I don't buy them potato chips, because I cannot resist those!

I look at things that I might impulsively eat, while preparing, etc...like peanut butter or cookies...and say to myself, "I am stronger than that peanut butter! I refuse to be defeated by that spoonful of peanut butter!" That sort of mentality. HTH Jen
 
I keep plenty of healthy alternatives around for me, and I keep snack foods for the kids that I don't like....like, I will buy them tortilla chips, since I can resist them...but I don't buy them potato chips, because I cannot resist those!

I look at things that I might impulsively eat, while preparing, etc...like peanut butter or cookies...and say to myself, "I am stronger than that peanut butter! I refuse to be defeated by that spoonful of peanut butter!" That sort of mentality. HTH Jen
 
Keep a food journal and vow to write down EVERYTHING you eat. Who wants to eat just a few chips or cookies when you have to figure out how many calories, how much fat, protein, carbs to record in your journal? Too much work...eat an apple instead...much easier.

Also, when you "think" you are hungry for junk, ask yourself "Am I really hungry or is this a craving?" If your hungry, the thought of a healthy snack or meal will be just as appealling as junk. If it is a craving then only junk seems like it will do the trick. Have a tiny bit or pop a piece of gum and go fold some laundry or vacuum the living room.

Don't ever eat while watching t.v. or sitting at the computer. The habit will make you want to eat whenever you do these things, hungry or not. HTH!
 
>Funny you should mention the artifical scents. My husband is
>from Sweden and he said that they have outlawed all of those
>air fresheners that are power driven. They believe that the
>chemicals and propellants in those air fresheners are the same
>health risk as breathing diesel fuel all day - they just smell
>better.
>
>>Melissa


Hi Melissa, isn't it surprising that Europeans are so much more into 'natural' than Americans? I am from Germany and all the processed foods, artifical everything (even bodyparts), overuse of medications, spraying germkillers on everything etc. is just amazing to me. People are feeding babies soda in a bottle over here! And then there is the blame game: I am fat because YOUR food tastes so good..and everybody is looking for a quick way to do things (weight loss included). Sorry, just had to vent about the so called "American Way of Life".
 
I'm home with my son most days and find it difficult not to munch durng the day. He eats what we eat for meals, plus a little something else that he will really enjoy, such as mac&cheese, pizza rolls, that sort of thing. The trouble is sometimes when there is too little left on his plate to save, but too much (in my eyes) to throw away....I'll stuff it in my face! I've come to realize that has got to stop.
I've just started to keep a food journal and I'm shocked at what I eat.
 
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