MUNCHIES MUNCHIES MUNCHIES

[cookgirl]

I am a full out all day non-stop Munchy person. I LOVE to snack. I can't stand to make myself not do it. It used to be so bad that I couldn't eat real meals because I hadn't stopped eating. Now I try to eat healthy meals at least twice a day, but I still LOVE to snack (I repeat myself).
Are any of you the same way? What do you do to satiate that constant urge to chew? (Don't say gum. I always throw my jaw out when I try that, because I forget to stop chewing!)
I'm tired of water and carrot sticks. I want popcorn and cheetos and chocolate.... bad bad food. Got any new tricks to share?

[This message has been edited by cookgirl (edited 09-27-2000).]

[JJeannette]

Popcorn, is actually a good choice as long as you don't load it with a lot of butter. There are a lot of "lite" popcorn packs for the microwave out there. How about a low-fat, high fiber cereal? You can munch on that just like chips. Another thought--fat-free hard candies, peppermint or cinnamon?,will last along time--. There are even hard chocolate candies to replace that smooth, creamy, melt-in-your-mouth stuff!

[lindrusso]

I second the popcorn suggestion. I get the light microwave kinds - the whole bag comes to only 6 grams of fat! Another low-fat treat that satisfies my urge to munch is Tootsie Rolls. They are very chewy and last a long time. Also Werthers - I'm not a big fan of hard candy, but these taste so rich that you think you're really indulging! Gotta go get some.

I'd also like to make a suggestion for those sweet thooths out there. My favorite not-so-guilty treat is Klondike Ice Cream Sandwiches. Not the kind with the chocolate candy coating, the sandwich kind. They are only 210 calories and 7 grams of fat and are a nice size. Very satisfying without blowing your whole day!

But sometimes NOTHING will replace a good bag of Cheetos. I just can't believe how much I like those things!!

[andreajackson]

I like to munch also and the worst time for me is at night. During the day I'm fine, but at night it seems I lose my will power. I think it's because I'm not doing much so I think about it more.
What I like to munch on is low-fat pretzels and chips. I am also a fruit person so that would be another good thing to munch on. Don't feel bad your definitly not the only one with this problem.

[laden]

Cookgirl, I used to be a constant snacker just like you. (but it made me gain weight; don't know if this is a concern for you or not.)

When I joined WW many years ago the big thing I learned was to eat 3 healthy meals a day (plus two snacks), starting with breakfast. I was not a breakfast eater (felt like I could skip those calories, but in actuality I never quit eating from lunch on because I felt deprived)

Anyway this works for me. Hope it helps you.

[Laura]

This is my down fall. I don't eat big meals, but I am a total grazer. I eat without thinking, not because I am hungry so much, but more because I am bored. It has hit an all time high now that I work at home.(Research and writing, and correcting papers or eat? Somehow eat wins almost every time.) What I have tried to do recently is just take 10 seconds before I dive into what ever snack is on hand and think if I really need it. Sometimes the answer is a most resounding yes, but I am getting better at saying no. I have recently had a lot of grapes on hand and grabbing 3 or 4 of those is often enought to satisfy my craving. Good luck, if you come up with successful tips on your own, please share them!

[This message has been edited by Laura (edited 10-01-2000).]

[MrsReber]

Popcorn is not a bad choice. The smartpop cheddar popcorn comes in little bags at my supermarket and each one is only 100 calories. I try to stay away from the microwave popcorn. I also like celery with a little bit of cream cheese. I have been bringing these fat free thin pretzel sticks to work with me lately. You can eat about 50 of them for a total of 100 calories! Another good one for me is sunflower seeds, still in the shell. That way, I can chew on the shell for a while and it takes me a looong time to eat a whole serving. I like to snack, too. It's tough.

[lindrusso]

I just thought of another way that I stave off the nighttime munchies that inevitably come with watching TV (I guess giving up TV would be a good option, but....) - I drink a cup of decaffeinated tea. I fills my tummy and keeps my hands busy!

Also I've been taking one small handful of peanuts when I get the munchies. They seem to fill me up and I think the protein in them stays with me longer than a carb snack. Maybe a good trail mix of dried cherries or cranberries, peanuts, pretzels....etc.

[Ruthie]

Boy do I know what you mean! Afternoons are the worst for me. I have recently become addicted to those spicy cheese crackers, cheese-its. Sometimes I just have to have some as a special treat. I prepackage tehm in little portion-size baggies and I allow myself one baggie a day as a treat. Try that with Cheetos. My latest trick, when I want to snack, is asking myself if I'm really "hungry" for food or something else. I'm often just lonely (my husband works weekend days and I'm often alone) so I'll exercise, call a friend, take a bath, go to the library and page through magazines, etc. Good luck! I also highly recommend celery with salsa as a satifying snack. And I make a low-fat dip that is great. Hidden Valley Ranch salad dressing mix - use buttermilk instead of skim milk, use some chunky salsa, no mayo. Let sit overnight to thicken. Use instead of mayo. It's awesome as a dip, salad dressing, baked potatoe topper,etc Good luck!

[MrsReber]

I tried the decaf tea- herbal tea is what I drink. Unfortunately, I alwasy think "gee, some cookies would be great with this tea!". I keep my hands busy by cross stitching. Can't eat and stitch at the same time.

[cookgirl]

Oh guys. Thanks for your help. I actually forgot I posted this! (I think I knew...I just didn't want to face the issue!)
popcorn I know doesn't work for me. I eat the whole bag in no time and then feel like I didn't eat "real" food, so I'll end up downing something fairly soon.
The hot tea thing is a very good idea. I know hot cocoa works, but I don't want all that sugar and fat a lot of the time.
Lindrusso- How funny you mentioned tootsie rolls. I just found out a friend of mine has a stash at her desk to keep her occupied!
Thanks again guys!