Cannot stop eating

[ki6avf]

Don't know wether I need advice or a psychiatrist. I cannot stop from snacking. I exercise a great deal, but constantly put something in mouth to eat.

HELP please!

[Whyshoshoni · Accepted solution]

@ki6avfhello.  Snacking is a hard habit to break.  Maybe try to do in phases - first replace your snacks with healthier snacks, such as carrot, celery, and other raw veggies, with minimal or no salad dressing.  Or make some other healthy adjustments to the types of snacks you normally eat.  After a couple of weeks of healthier snacks, perhaps eliminate one of your daily snacks.  And so on.

It’s also important that your meals are actually filling and satisfying, so you don’t have a physical need to snack.  If your meals are veggie heavy and nutrient dense, and with a fair amount of protein and fat, you will not get as hungry.

One of my favorite ways to combat late night snacking is to do a physical activity, in my case dancing in the kitchen.  If I still must have a snack after that, at least I’ve burned some calories to compensate.

Take it one step at a time, you can do it!

[GraceGFitbit]

Hey @ki6avf ! That's a great question. 

Last year I was trying to lose some weight but I'm bad following a diet. Something that works for me is to try with schedules. You just need to respect the hours. Do 5 meals a day: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and only two snacks. 

What are you snaking on? Is it fruits ? 

If you're really feeling that is something compulsive maybe some extra help could be a good idea. 😉

[ki6avf]

Thank you for your thoughtful response. I try healthy snacks, but even
those I eat to excess. I will try phasing out.

[ki6avf]

I do eat a lot of fruit, pretzels, crackers, celery, etc.
I'm fine till the evening, then I eat non stop, even after a good dinner.
I appreciate your advice

[Bill_k]

I guess you can start by just not buying the fattening,salty and sugary snacks at the store . Keep it out of the house.

Willpower is key.

You can eat a lot of celery ,salad snacks etc without making a dent in a diet. Use just vinegar and a light spray of oil from an atomizer on salad instead of high calorie teaspoon fulls or high calorie dressings.

Drink coffee and tea instead of pop. Coffee is a bit of an appetite suppressant.

[ki6avf]

thanks this is all good info

[kroud]

When I eat to excess, it's almost always because I'm anxious about something.  So you might be on to something when you asked if you should see a psychiatrist.  You might make sure you're getting enough sleep and getting your emotional needs met.  Some US employers have short term (1-6 sessions) mental health for free called an Employee Assistance Program.  Something to think about.

[ki6avf]

Thanks