Its that time of day again. I just want to eat at this time every day. It makes sense. Its been a few hours since lunch and a few hours to go before dinner. Right now in the house I have graham crackers, peanut butter, tuna, whole wheat bread, apples, oranges, salad fixin's...but I don't want any of that. What I really want is pizza, meximelt, quarter pounder, something like that. Eating something like that has never "ruined my dinner". I can still eat that too. While I wont go out and get those things, I usually end up eating way too much during this time of the day. How do you battle the afternoon snack attack and still come out on the winning side?

bump for Jennifer

bump for Mary Jo

bump

quote:

---

Originally posted by Tayhudson:
That would be a healthy snack, and it may satisfy your craving.

Dawn

---

This is REALLY weird, I had a whole very long response typed out, and only the last sentence posted....I don't have time to retype it right now.

That would be a healthy snack, and it may satisfy your craving.

Dawn

I used to be an afternoon eater too. When I was in college and post college, I used to go all day without eating and then I would eat a lot at dinner. Bad, Heather! Anyway, once I started eating somewhat normal (and gaining weight), I would starve in the afternoon. I think it was my body compensating for what I used to do to it. Anway, I started to eat more in the morning and adding more veggies and protein and I found I'm not so hungry in the afternoon anymore. Sometimes I don't even feel like eating my afternoon snack.

Hi! I just had to add my 2 cents to this - this is always my downfall to trying to lose weight, because I get really hungry around 3 or 4 pm and if I don't eat I sometimes get shaky and weak - and I usually eat lunch 11:30-12 and then have a cup of coffee around 1 or 2pm.

I am trying to lose these last 20 pounds, so I try not to eat too much at this time!! If I have something with protein it helps me, but then I feel as though I am eating too much!

Larissa

I find that eating a huge salad at lunch with either canned tuna or canned chicken fills me up pretty good. I use the lettuce that's washed and ready to go and add carrots, sprouts and tomatoes because they don't need prep. If i can I cut up more vegetables or use ones from dinner. I use lo cal dressing or just vinegar and oil. Sometimes i add almonds that i slice up because the ones in bag are really sugary and salty. and for some reason i used too many that way.

My full button got left off too. I know that is why I love having my nutritionist.

That, and she keeps me accountable and will "yell" at me when I stop being so good. And reassures me when I am having a rough time (like this whole last year).

I didn't come with that part either! Portion contol and a clear picture of what I need (given to me by a dietician) has been such a relief and a saving grace for me.

quote:

---

Originally posted by GoingSkiing:
]OMG, I so hear you. I need to do portion control at EVERY meal. I eat about 450 cals for breakfast but I could easily eat 1500 for breakfast. I could eat a McD's egg mcmuffin meal for an appetizer 15 minutes before I have my normal breakfast. The book "Eating Thin for Life" has a section called "Is your full button broken?". My full button was never installed at the factory.

---

I'm in the same boat. I have no "full button" either. I have to portion out everything and that's all I eat. If I ate until I was full I'd easily be eating twice as many calories as I should. That's why eating out is so tough for me. I also figured out recently why I struggle when I'm eating at my parents house - they serve everything family style and then leave the food on the table so people can go back for seconds. It's REALLY hard for me to not go back for seconds (I'm getting better at doing it but it's A LOT of work for me). I'm much better off serving restaurant style (and not making any left overs).

quote:

---

Originally posted by sautequeen:
...seeing my answer just now also makes me think that if I am eating more during the day I would not overdo dinner...

---

I agree with you.

quote:

---

Originally posted by sautequeen:
...but I know what I'm capable of eating and like I said, I've never eaten "too much" to ruin my dinner. Its definitely a portion control problem at dinner time, though I am doing better than before...

---

OMG, I so hear you. I need to do portion control at EVERY meal. I eat about 450 cals for breakfast but I could easily eat 1500 for breakfast. I could eat a McD's egg mcmuffin meal for an appetizer 15 minutes before I have my normal breakfast. The book "Eating Thin for Life" has a section called "Is your full button broken?". My full button was never installed at the factory.

Thank you so much for bringing this up. I've been thinking A LOT about not being in diet mode and figuring this all so I can eat/live healthy for the rest of my life.

It is like the who, what, where, how and why question. Who is an easy one.

What to eat. What foods to eat. How much to eat. Why am I eating? (emotional eating) and where to eat (home? restaurant? at a fundraiser? at a friend's house, etc).

All these questions seem to need answering and tweeking on a daily basis.

Thanks for giving me more to think about. We'll figure it out

Denise

PS actually who isn't as easy as I thought... There are some people who are kind of bad influences on me.

Hang in there, Stephanie.

Making changes in eating takes a little bit of time to get used to. We've all been at the easier said than done stage, but you've got the support system and accountability group right here. We'll all do what we can to help.

Just jump in and take that first step. Maybe start with changing your lunch. In a week or so, change your breakfast in addition to your lunch. Then it might not seem so overwhelming.

Laura

quote:

---

Originally posted by GoingSkiing:
Hi Stephanie,
I agree with CoasterGirl. I'd be starving, too. A agree about maybe finding a more filling cereal besides special K.

You don't say how much Special K or you don't say if it is the skinny whole wheat bread that is 50 cals a slice or the bigger slices that are 110 cals a slice. It kind of doesn't look like enough calories to me - especially from 8am-1pm.

You've noticed your lack of fruits or vegs The fiber they provide will help fill you up not to mention that they are healthy for you.

Thanks for being brave enough to post your food and to ask for feedback! Hang in there you'll figure it out!

Denise

---

I have been eating the recommended serving size of special K at 110 calories.
3/4c cereal with 1/2c skim milk (maybe a little more milk)

This weeks loaf of ww bread has 70 cal. per slice

I have to say that because I tend to overdo it at dinner time, I'm afraid of getting too many calories during the day..............seeing my answer just now also makes me think that if I am eating more during the day I would not overdo dinner, but I know what I'm capable of eating and like I said, I've never eaten "too much" to ruin my dinner. Its definitely a portion control problem at dinner time, though I am doing better than before...but its time to progress forward to eating more during the day and less at night. Much easier said than done.

Hi Stephanie,
I agree with CoasterGirl. I'd be starving, too. A agree about maybe finding a more filling cereal besides special K.

You don't say how much Special K or you don't say if it is the skinny whole wheat bread that is 50 cals a slice or the bigger slices that are 110 cals a slice. It kind of doesn't look like enough calories to me - especially from 8am-1pm.

You've noticed your lack of fruits or vegs The fiber they provide will help fill you up not to mention that they are healthy for you.

Thanks for being brave enough to post your food and to ask for feedback! Hang in there you'll figure it out!

Denise

Stephanie,

To me it looks like you just aren't eating quite enough at breakfast and lunch. I'd be starving by my afternoon snack time if I ate as little as you posted.

Try adding more protein to your lunch. I usually try to get 2-3 ounces of protein at lunch. Throw in some veggies and/or fruit to round out your meal. They are great fillers, with few calories.

It also looks like your breakfast could use some "beefing up". Maybe try some more substantial cereal, like Total, granola, oatmeal, etc. The more whole grains I eat, the longer my meals stick with me. Add some fruit, or a piece of whole wheat toast with peanut butter (which also throws in a bit of protein). You won't add that many calories to what you're already eating for breakfast.

Since I need my afternoon snacks, I usually try to limit it to a cup of fruit. That usually keeps the calories to under 100 calories, which get factored into my dinner calories total.

I think the reason that I don't crave things like hamburgers, etc. for my afternoon snack is that I have gotten some protein in my system earlier in the day. It also helps with my afternoon snack because I'm "politely hungry", not really, really, really hungry (so I can eat fruit and feel like I've eaten enough to get to dinner).

Laura

One of the best solutions for ME in terms of late afternoon snacking is a late lunch. My usual workday looks like this:

8-8:30a Egg & cheese wrap or thin deli ham on plain rye toast

10:30-11a Piece of fruit/fruit salad

1-1:30p 3 oz. grilled chicken with a good amount of fiber-rich veggies and usually a smaller serving of carb (roasted baby yukons, roasted sweet potato, etc.).

3:30-4:30p Large fiber-rich fruit serving, like a good-sized Pink Lady apple and a few almonds.

6:30-7p Cereal & milk, crackers & cheese or some other light meal

quote:

---

Originally posted by kd:
Hmmm. Evaluate your breakfast and lunch. If you feel up to it, post your choices. If not, that's okay too.

1) Are you getting enough calories for breakfast and lunch?
2) Are you having a mid morning snack?
3) How many servings of protein do you consume by 3:00 pm?
4) How many servings of low or nonfat dairy?
5) How many servings of whole grains?
6) How many servings of fruit?
7) How many servings of veggies?

I know you guys have some GREAT ideas on this subject!

---

OK. Here goes.

8:00 special K cereal w/ skim milk

10:30 1/2 peanut butter sand. on whole wheat, 1/4c macaroni & cheese

12:30-1:00? more special K cereal w/ skim milk

4:00 1/2 ham sand. on whole wheat


Looks like protein & carbs. Vitamins, vegetables, fruit?

Amy's makes an organic pizza pocket thing that may help your pizza cravings. It's kind of high in sodium but once in a while it would be OK ; )

You could also do a soy burger for the burger attack.


My usual snack stand bys are:
hummus on a warmed tortilla
fruit and 1 oz of cheese
1 oz of low fat cheese and salsa on a warmed tortilla
1/2 a bagel w/cream cheese