5 Simple Tips to Reduce Snacking

As a work-at-home, stay-at-home mom, I’m all too familiar with the concept of snacking/grazing. With a desk all set up in our home, I have the ability to lock myself in a room when one child is at school and the other child is napping so that I can get work done on the computer. But, instead of opt to sit at the kitchen table or in the screened in porch. I love natural light and those two spots are the best spots in our house to be surrounded by natural light.

Those two spots are also the best spots in our house when it comes to snacking and grazing. Why? Because they are right next to the refrigerator and pantry. It’s so easy for me to get up from the table, walk over to the refrigerator, check out what’s in stock, and then mosey on over to the pantry where all sorts of salty snacks are calling my name. My problem is that when I open up a bag of veggie straws, chips, crackers, etc., I have no self control. One minute I’m looking at a puffy (filled) bag, the next minute I’m looking at a deflated (empty) bag. Once I pop, I can’t stop.

Plus, there was always the inevitable stealing of bites. What do I mean by that? When I would cook my toddler food or prepare him a snack, I would always steal bites. I mean, you have to test out the food, right? One bite would lead to another bite would lead to another bite … you get the point. Trust me when I say that those calories can quickly add up.

With an upcoming beach vacation, I’ve found ways to reduce snacking so that I feel better and look better (trust me, trying to drop the lbs after kid #2 hasn’t been the easiest of battles). I’ve quickly learned that being able to reduce snacking throughout the day has made a world of difference.

5 Simple Tips to Reduce Snacking

Here are some of my favorite simple tips to reduce snacking. And don’t worry, we all snack here and there (I’ll be the first to admit my love of snacking). These tips are simply to help you reduce snacking habits.

1.) Don’t Skip Meals

Whether you eat three big meals a day or six smaller meals a day, you need to set meal times throughout the day and stick to them so that you can train your body and mind. Remember, snacking tends to be about mind over matter.

2.) Drink Water

I had the hardest time drinking a lot of water throughout the day. Just ask my husband. He was always getting on my case about my horrible water drinking habit. It even reached a point where he would send me text message reminders to drink water. I was constantly trying to find more ways to drink more water. I tried getting a water jug. I tried setting reminders for myself. Nothing seemed to work. And then I came across something that worked. Smaller water bottles. My husband would always buy the bigger water bottles and I would only drink a small amount. I asked him to start buying the small water bottles and quickly noticed that I was finishing all of the contents and feeling great. Plus, drinking more water feels me up and keeps me going through the day.

3.) Keep Healthy Food in the House

If you fill your refrigerator and pantry full of unhealthy food, then you’re more prone to snack on the unhealthy food options. By keeping those unhealthy options out of the house, you’ll quickly reduce snacking on unhealthy options. It’s that simple.

4.) Be Mindful

I’ve read that people have a tendency to snack mindlessly while watching television. Binge-watching your favorite show can easily lead into devouring an entire bag of chips. If you want to binge-watch, then make sure you have healthy options available just in case you feel the urge to snack. If you’re not binging, then be sure to put down the remote control and get active. The more active you are, the more likely you are to reduce snacking.

5.) Don’t Impulse Buy

When you’re at the store, don’t be tempted by the snacks calling your name in the checkout line. Stick to your meal time plan and try to block out the snacks that are calling your name when you’re out and about.

How do you reduce snacking throughout the day?

Note: I’m not a dietitian. These tips have worked for me personally. 

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