How to Avoid Unnecessary Snacking When Stuck at Home
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One of the biggest challenges people have been facing with being home all day for many weeks in a row is that they tend to go through all their snacks –quickly. Not only is this going to be hard on your figure, but it might make you feel sluggish and also cost you more money overall on your food budget. Here are a few tips that can help you control some of the extra snacking in your house.
Keep Snacks Out of Sight
This old rule is great for so many reasons. When you see something right in front of you and are constantly reminded it is there, your brain tends to want it whether your stomach is hungry or not. Instead of having extra temptations you don’t need, keep your snacks in the cabinet, fridge, or a snack drawer. When you are hungry, you will remember they are there, but won’t grab a cookie or handful of chips every time you go to the kitchen just because you see them sitting there on the counter.
Have Designated Snack Windows During the Day
It can also help to stick to some kind of schedule or routine, not just with your activities, but meal and snack times. Think about what your routine was like before. You likely had 3 meals a day around the same time, with a couple snacks in the morning or afternoon. You can still do this while at home! Choose a schedule that works for you, and try not to eat any snacks outside of the designated snack window. It will make you think twice when you go for an extra granola bar, when you know your snack time is coming up in an hour or so.
Stay Busy and Distracted
A lot of times, snacking while at home isn’t from hunger or even cravings, but from boredom. The best way to combat this is by staying busy. Find a new hobby, learn a language or new skill, play with your dogs or kids or do a puzzle. Try to find more activities that keep you occupied during the day.
Know When You Tend to Snack
Lastly, be aware of your own triggers or when you tend to go for snacks. Maybe this is when you get bored, or when you are procrastinating from doing chores. You might eat snacks just because you see them there, or because someone else in the house is eating. For other people, snacking is more likely after getting stressed by the news or to deal with difficult emotions.
None of these are bad things, but the more aware you are, the more you can prepare for it.
Other posts on Maintaining your Sanity:
- 4 Tips on Managing Stress Eating
- 5 Tips for Managing Stress While Self-Isolating
- Dealing with a Pandemic
- Reconnect with Your Family During a Pandemic
- 11 Tips for Aging People During a Pandemic
Loving Life — The Reboot!
Dominique
This article provides general information and discussion about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this article, or in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.
16 Comments
Matt Taylor
But I LOVE snacking….lol. Great tips for avoiding unnecessary snacking while stuck at home. 🙂
amber
I’m snacking too much right now, I needed to read this.
Dominique
I still snack too LOL
The Joyous Living
Good tips. Thanks so much for your tips. I really like the idea of having time windows for snacks.
Nicole Anderson | Camping for Women
Talk about perfect timing for this post! I think the message here is just so relevant for all of us currently in lock-down at the moment. This is especially important for those that also have limited exercise during this time. Great tips here to keep us from exploding with over-eating and indulging on too many snacks!
littlemisadvencha
Very timely! I just made some spaghetti and desserts before i saw this post. hahaha! I’ll take your advice moving forward…
Kuntala Bhattacharya
You are so right. Snacks are a big distraction at home. Whenever I go into my kitchen I feel like having some. You gave good tips to control it.
Kristine Nicole Alessandra
Since everyone in my family is now on a “Work At Home” arrangement with their employers, I always have to have the pantry and the fridge stocked with snacks. We have different work schedules, but I think I still have to make sure we don’t overdo it with snacking!
Melanie Frost
It’s almost like you’ve been spying on me! During quarantine, I have been eating way more than usual and I can’t stop myself. The problem with hiding snacks, is that I know where they are. I think I just need to sew my mouth shut instead.
Dominique
I totally feel your pain! It’s so easy to eat all the cool snacks, isn’t it? I am going walking today! LOL
katrina Kroeplin
these are great tips. i’m not a huge snacker but others in my house are and i def need to share this with them lol.
Gabrielle Sales | From1Girlto1World.com
Super helpful! I find myself snacking often when I am home but good tips to keep in mind.
Sayed Williams
This is such a helpful post. I’ve been wasting my health on bad snack these days. I hope this helps.
Nilakshi
This was a much needed post. During the quarantine period, I’m eating all sorts of junk food and therefore, gaining weight. I will try to follow the tips that you have listed. Thanks a ton!
Elicit Folio
Great post! I think I would fail at the first step which is keeping snacks out of sight! lol! I will try some of your tips this week!
Elisha F
It helps when you snack on things that are substantial, like fruits and nuts, vs. empty calories.