Snacking...HELP!

 Yes I have to say I slack on the WATER! 

 Yes, the snacking can be problematic, because the thing we want to snack on are usually junky and we can eat larger quantities of it, than we can of real food...not to mention they don't keep you full for long, so then you easily can eat too many calories and eat too frequently.

I am one of the rarer ones that snacked throughout weight loss which wasn't a problem for me...but I was doing a lot of exercise and I did only buy pre-portioned packages.

Now in maintenace, I've realized that I really can do some damage with the snacks and that I take in more calories with snack foods than real food on some days....so I have to be aware of that and make myself do more real meals focused on the protein.....I have had a small regain and I guarantee it is because of snack foods and less exercise....because if I eat what I'm supposed to like chicken or beef or eggs or real foods, I still have good restriction and would keep my calorie count low over the day....

Some things I do when I'm bored and want to eat, but shouldn't.....that work for me are.....sipping hot tea, taking a walk, talking on the phone, cleaning the house....

I also bought less bad snack foods like packaged trail mix, packaged mixed nuts, and pirate's booty (cheddar popcorn).....so if I really want to snack I can give it to one portion.

 Thanks!! 

I have not moved back into the snack food world but I do find myself having a snack at night even when I'm not hungry. I log it first and it is almost always something on plan like cheese, turkey pepperoni or frozen gy w/ some kid of pudding in it. Even though I have the cal or carbs for it, I know I really shouldn't eat if I'm not hungry. This has been my biggest struggle. I can get thru the day without the snacks anymore but night is just so hard! That was when I usually went off the rails with mindless eating and I find myself still wanting to munch on something! I too wear a night guard for teeth clenching like another poster so maybe I'll try putting it in earlier. Or maybe I'll just go to bed and get away from the kitchen. Good luck!

At 2.5 years out, I still find it necessary to track on Myfitnesspal . If I have to track it, I am less likely to put it in my mouth. When I don't track, it's because I know I've done less than optimal. But it's a Funny denial because the scale always tells the truth. I go to WW every Monday night to get weighed. It keeps me honest. In 18 months at my WW goal, I have never been up two pounds.

I love to snack. My favorite are mini sweet peppers. Big bags at Costco, always have two. I get the spicy yogurt dip at Costco, or the Trader Joes yogurt dip. It's my daily afternoon snack. It keeps me out of the white carbs. I keep Elina's chicken soup in the freezer so I can pull out a cup to snack on. I also pull any protein out of the fridge and call it a snack because it fills me up.

During year 1 I always had hard boiled eggs. At home, at th office etc. when I wanted to snack, I offered myself a HB egg. If I was hungry, I wanted it. If snacky, no way so I waited for the next meal. I was a very low looser so had to restrict snacking or I never would have gotten to goal.

Good luck!

I too was a snacker....I've realized that it was only after the surgery. I never cared for junk food but now I swear by Lays and Reese Cups! Though I'm still losing weight 6 mos. out, I'm down to about 4 lbs as opposed to the 8 lbs months ago before snacks.

Now if I want a snack, I look at an old photo!!

Great Luck!

I also have the problem with the night time snacking/cravings. I decided after posting earlier this week about it that I am cleaning house this weekend. No more of those trigger foods allowed in the house. I am going to cook up plenty of dense protein to keep in the fridge and if I have to have a snack it will be that.
It is a shame at 15 months out that I still have no control over the evil carbs.

You've got some great advice here I think. Also check out eggface's 50 things to do instead of snacking. There are certain things I just can't keep in the house, and cheese is one of them. I'm OK with low fat shredded cheeses to use as toppings sometimes, but other than that it doesn't enter my kitchen. Cheese seems to be a slider for me, doesn't fill me up at all and I absolutely love cheese so for now, no cheese for me.

I'm eight weeks out, and the thought of eating junk food frankly terrifies me. I don't go near trigger foods, I'm a devotee of tracking on MFP.

I eat snacks, but they are usually nutritious: 1/2 of a protein bar, some deli meat, some shrimp with seasoning.

I pray to God I don't end up back where I was before surgery: grazing throughout the day on crap, not caring what I put in my mouth. Thank you for this post-- it reminds me that I must always be vigilant on this journey, especially when I get to maintenance.