9 Tips to Stop Your Snacking Binges

Hey....we've all been there before. It's almost time for bed and then that sudden pain comes up in your stomach saying "Feed Me." And you think "a couple of quick potato chips and cookie won't hurt"....right? WRONG! There is nothing that wrecks a healthy eating plan more than a late-nite snack.

But don't dispair! Listed below are a few tips to help you avoid the ugly urge to snack uncontrollably.

1. First things first: EAT!
Eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Plan to have healthy snacks throughout the day. Do not skip meals or planned snacks. Skipping nutritious foods will make you feel uncontrollably hungry!

2. Avoid Unhealthy Snacks
If you can, avoid purchasing any unhealthy snacks. There are so many "good-for-you" snacks on the market today, there is really no reason why you should have a cupboard full of ring-dings and cheesecurls. Start learning to read the back of the packages of foods - look at the fat content - if it says that the fat content is over 5% per serving - look for a different snack.

Here's a list of healthy snacks that are low in fat content, but still high in satisfaction (and I'm not talking about carrots and celery!):

3. Treat yourself to scented candles.
When you feel like you need a snack - light the candles and enjoy them! This actually does work - I've tried it.

4. Instead of a snack, have a drink.
Try a non-caffeinated herbal tea with a spoonful of honey. There are several drinks on the market with no caffeine and no sugar - buy a lot of that stuff - different kinds - and keep it on hand. Before you go for a snack - drink 8 oz. of your favorite drink, then decide if you really need a snack.

5. Take up something you can do with your hands
Crochet, knitting, puzzles, cross-stitch, sewing, playing piano, paint your nails and toenails, weed the garden, do a little housework, look at a magazine for the fashions you will buy when you're thinner... In other words, get your mind off food and onto a healthy hobby.

6. Don't watch TV.
TV encourages snacking - you're sitting there, you feel like you should be doing something - so you go for the snack. Also, most of the commercials are about food. Stay away from TV, take up reading or another activity in number 6 above.

7. Brush or Floss Your Teeth
When you're finished with a meal or a planned snack, brush and floss your teeth - this will help you stay away from food for about an hour.

8. THINK About What You Are Doing
Just take about one minute to think about what you are doing. Go look at yourself in the mirror during this minute. Ask yourself, "Do I really want to eat this and PAY the CONSEQUENCE?"

9. Use your NutriCounter
Every time you eat something - input it into your NutriCounter - This will help you keep track of what you've REALLY eaten. Snacking and nibbling can be the death of a healthy diet.