Question:
Snack Attack! How to control them.

Hi folks. I am 16 weeks post op and down about 64lbs. I am very pleased with that, however I feel it could be more. I eat a bit more than most of my peers that I talk to on a regular basis and about 1/3 to 1/2 of my daily calories are made up of snacks. I am still loosing an average of 3lbs a week and don't want it to stop do to all the snacking. I have many hobbies so redirecting my attention doesn't do it for me...I can decorative paint and eat, read and eat, go shopping and eat. etc. I snack on fatfree pretzels, ff pudding snacks, fruit, lf popcorn, lf cheese, etc (I am choosing healthier snacks than I would have pre-op). How do you snackaholics control this? Do you still snack? How often? I don't mindless munch all day long. However, I average about four 100 cal. snacks a day...and can't seem to kick the habit (in addition to 3 small mostly protein meals). Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. -Kim    — KimBo36 (posted on November 19, 2001)

November 19, 2001
try to cut it or snack on protein snack like wheat crakers with cheeze or else... some people belive in the 3 strict meal a day some others belive in 3 meal and 3 snack or some... :) choose your path look at the calories and keep the good work :)
   — carou1313

November 19, 2001
I am almost 6 months post op and down 89 pounds! I seem to eat the same as you do. I eat 3 meals a day, mostly protein, and I eat three snacks a day. Sometimes I will add a protein drink to that as well, or substitue a snack for one. I read about all these people who after having surgery eat only three meals a day, but for me I just don't think it's possible. I know that if I start to feel like I am too restricted, I will be doomed to failure.I truly get hungry through the day nd need a snack. I drink all my water, work out at the gym thre times per week, walk the other days and take three dance classes a week. I feel that with all that working out I need to have a snack in between meals to keep energized. I do follow strict rules for snacking, such as I make sure that they are healthy and always include some protein. I love Kashi GO LEAN cereal and I usually have that dry once a day. I also snack on a few lowfat wheat thins with a little lowfat peanut butter, or an apple with a bit of peanut butter, or lowfat cheese, etc... I give all the credit to those who can stick to three meals a day, but for me it is unrealistic and I seem to be losing at a pretty good rate, so it is working, as I am about 23 pounds from my goal of 135. Keep up the great work, you are doing fantastic, listen to what your doctor/nutritionist tells you to do, and follow what is already working for you. You will get there. Happy losing!
   — Vicki K.

November 19, 2001
I promise you the BEST way to thwart the snack attacks in water... when you get that urge drink 8 oz of water 10 oz is even better.. wait 30-45 minutes and see if the hunger passes.. The urge for hunger is MUCH stronger than the urge for thirst and sometimes that signal gets confused.. If that fails make the snack something that does NOT have empty calories.. Something that is protein.. like a healthy choice slice of ham rolled up around a slice of fat free cheese.. perfect void filler.. :)
   — Victoria B.

November 19, 2001
It sounds like you are doing fine. Its not such a bad thing to 'snack' as long as you choose the right thing to eat. Eating every 3 hours (4-6 'feedings' a day) is much better than 3 meals a day. It keeps your metabolism going and blood sugar at a steady level. Small pouches get hungrier faster, but take less to fill up. It sounds like you are still losing 3lbs/week with what you are doing. Congratulations.
   — Cheri M.

November 20, 2001
Listen to Victoria...she knows of what she speaks! Most of us old timers (16 months post-op) have been there. I also had snack cravings and found that the culprit was carbohydrate. When I upped my protein to 75 grams a day minimum, the snack cravings went completely away. The same is true for sugar. Evidently when your body is not getting enough good clean energy (protein) it sends out a hunger signal, which we, too often, try to satisfy with carbohydrate, sometimes in the form of sugar. This is a quick source of energy for the body and will satisfy it for a very short period, then it needs more energy and sends out the hunger signal again. This can result in lots of snacking. Try just upping your protein grams considerably. Try supplements. If your body has enough protein, it won't get confused and call out for sugar. Really. It works. Please try it.
   — Anne G.

November 20, 2001
Ditto Anne on the carbs. I never paid attention to what I was eating and how it made me feel. Now that I eat less, I really started to pay attention. Carbs make you crave more carbs. If you want to cut the snacking, cut the carbs. Try it for 3 days and see what happens. Keep track. Now, if you are worried about losing weight, it sounds like you're doing fine. Good luck and God Bless!
   — Kimberly L.

November 20, 2001
I agree with the other posters about carbohydrates feeding the need to snack. The thing I would add is that when I start off the day with carbohydrates, I seem to be hungry all day. If I eat cheese or peanut butter for breakfast, I am fine and eat every 3-4 hours in reasonable amounts. If I have a 1/4 bagel or cereal . . . Look out, I am on the snack patrol! Nothing seems to satisfy me after that.
   — ctyst