This is my biggest eating weakness right now. I don't even necessarily grab unhealthy foods, but I grab and eat without thinking. It seems that I am forever in the kitchen as a sah mom. And it is so easy to eat a handful of whatever while I am fixing food for the littles. I am a believer in starting good habits early so I don't have junk around for them but I feel that in order to get a better handle on my weight I need to stop mindless eating.

So, here is my plan. My plan is to plan. I am great with planning dinners, and even breakfast. But I tend to feed the kids lunch before I eat my lunch, so I am hungry when I fix their food. So I graze while I prep. Then, of course, I feel like I haven't actually eaten, so I eat my own lunch. But often, I eat it piece by piece rather than putting it all together and sitting down where I can see all of my lunch at once. So even then, I often don't feel satisfied.

So, I will eat a planned snack before I make their lunches. I have even thought of chewing gum while I prep the kid's stuff to break the grazing habit. Then when the time comes for my lunch, I will prep my whole lunch and sit down to eat it.

Same idea with dinner prep. I tend to graze then too.

Kathy

great ideas! thanks!

i totally relate to your desirte to eat your lunch alone, after the kitchen duty!
dana

quote:

What snacks have you found work the best for you in you busy mama-feeding-kids mode?

I have found that making a smoothie helps because then I can sip it while I prep. I make it with 1/2 a banana, 1/2 cup frozen blueberries, 1/2 cup yogurt, a splash of apple juice and crushed ice. It is good and filling. That's what got me through today.

I also like KD's yogurt/peanut butter dip with apple wedges. And I like to make some of her slaws to keep available in the fridge. I plan to eat this sort of thing a little before I prep so I am not starving, and they will keep me out of calorie-trouble. Today I also had a tangerine right before I started to make dinner.

Kathy

I could have written your post! I am basically a professional feeder, so that makes this effort challenging!
I am glad you are already finding success!
What snacks have you found work the best for you in you busy mama-feeding-kids mode?
Dana

First I have to say I like when you called them "the littles"-made me laugh, that is cute.

I was and still am at times a grazer. Far from a controlled grazer-I try not to do it now because I won't stop and grazing becomes a full blown meal in about 5 min.

Planning will definitely help, it has helped me. I plan snacks between meals, I usually have a snack an hour or two before preparing ameal and that seems to help. I try to eat every three hrs or so and then I don't get too hungry.

I try to make sure the snack is something that will help me feel full but is also healthy as well.

Jill

Excellent first day School Mom!

So glad to hear that your plan worked Kathy. Good for you!

PS I have this problem too and generally sip on hot tea while I'm prepping meals to keep from grazing.

quote:

Originally posted by schoolmom:
Thank you for the support and suggestions. Just typing this out helped clarify my thoughts. I was just feeling out-of-control and undisciplined. I was forgetting that a large part of winning the self-discipline battle is setting yourself up for success.

Kathy

Like you, I often get more clarity just by typing and processing my own thoughts. I am glad you had a good day around the (not) grazing. Way to go.

It is so great that you see your problem and are taking actions against them!!!

I know that keeping a glass or bottle of water and/or diet beverage in my hand most of the time really helps me, especially when I am in the kitchen.

Best of luck to you!!!

quote:

I don't know how realistic it would be (don't know how old your kids are and how high-maintenance they are) but could you sit down with them and eat at the same time?

I intentionally wait until they are done to eat because they are young (7,4 & 15 months). If I eat with them, then I definitely am not able to relax and enjoy my lunch. We do eat dinner together, but lunch has always been a time to relax for me.

I tried my plan today and it worked very well. No grazing! And having my lunch was very satisfying. Now, we'll see if I can make it a habit.

Thank you for the support and suggestions. Just typing this out helped clarify my thoughts. I was just feeling out-of-control and undisciplined. I was forgetting that a large part of winning the self-discipline battle is setting yourself up for success.

Kathy

quote:

Originally posted by cobismom:
Maybe get them in the habit of helping you too.....have them make sure mommy doens't eat while she helps make lunch...boy nothing like a kid to keep you honest.

Not sure this would send the right message about healthy eating, turning the kids into the food police.

I don't know how realistic it would be (don't know how old your kids are and how high-maintenance they are) but could you sit down with them and eat at the same time?

Great idea, the snack before you fix their food....if that doesn't work, I used to put out carrots and celery when I packed lunches. If I felt like snitching a peanut butter cracker, or a chip or even a piece of the boys fruit, I stuffed my mouth with a carrot or celery stick. It does really help. Do you eat with them then? Maybe get them in the habit of helping you too.....have them make sure mommy doens't eat while she helps make lunch...boy nothing like a kid to keep you honest.

Sounds like a great plan!!!

Sounds like a good idea. Grazing works for some people, because it keeps them from overeating. It doesn't appear that it works for you though, because mentally, you need to experience the meal.

I like the idea of planned snacks before you start prepping lunch and dinner. Then you don't get overly hungry, and won't be as tempted to snack while prepping.

Dawn

Kathy, I know this is going to work.

You have soooo many good insights into why grazing isn't working for you!!!

You nailed about 5 different reasons why/when you overeat.

I'm really impressed!