You’ve probably found yourself searching for a late night snack more than once, finishing off a half-empty bag of chips “because it’s there”.  Sometimes it seems that we’re hungry, but in reality we’re not.
Feel like putting something in your mouth when sitting in front of the television? Â Are you eating out of boredom? Â Here are five tips to help you quit extra snacking, so you can save hundreds of unnecessary calories.
1. Phone a buddy
Getting support from  someone close can be crucial when it comes to succeeding in any diet  or weight maintenance program.  Talk to a friend and tell them why you feel the need for a midnight snack.  The process of explaining does part of the work.  It  helps you get the answers out of yourself, and you’ll be able to control your urges better.
2. Get busy
Get out of your recliner, and get busy with something that has nothing to do with food and will get you as far away from the kitchen as possible.
3. Go to sleep
If you get hungry late at night, it’s better to just go to sleep.  Let the hunger pass you by.  When you wake up in the morning, you’ll feel better about yourself and you can easily get back on track.
4. Brush your teeth
Brush your teeth after every meal. Â Yes, this might sound a little crazy, but believe it or not, brushing your teeth after every meal will reduce the urge to eat dessert or have an unnecessary snack. Â Once you brush your teeth, the impulse and urge to eat will be diminished.
5. Drink plenty of water
You’ve probably heard this thousands of times already, but remember: a stomach full of water reduces the urge and impulse to eat.  Not only does it take up the room that extra food would otherwise, but sometimes the body mistakes thirst with hunger, and water is all you actually need.  After a few glasses, the impulse to snack or the hunger will pass on their own.
what does banana have in it that makes you put on weight ?
Hi, Terry. A banana is nutritionally dense, but it is a very healthy food. It shouldn’t be avoided, but shouldn’t be overdone (like any food!).
Hi I’m an Asian and I want pakistani respe please thanks
Hi, Tasweer. You may like this: https://www.trimdownclub.com/recipe/lamb-and-spinach-curry/.
Working very long hours, plus commuting, the last thing I want to do when I get home is COOK! Actually, I’ve never been into cooking if it wasn’t a dessert or involved more than a few ingredients. The microwave and fast food were invented just for me and it shows. So where do I go from here? I don’t expect to lose 10 pounds overnight but I can’t do complicated menus with weird ingredients.
Hi, Sunybrk. I suggest you use the personal version of the Menu Planner (the right-most option in the tools area here: https://www.trimdownclub.com/menuplanner). There you can select the foods that work for you. If you want to use any of our recipes for the foods in your menu, use the search box in the recipes area – try terms like “simple,” “basic,” “classic,” and “quick.”
I find breakfast difficult because I like boiled egg and toast for breakfast
Hi, Carola. You can swap out the breakfast foods in your menu for the ones you want. Just click on what you want to trade in the same food group, and a dialog box will appear from which you can make your choice. The pattern will want you to select a serving of fruit, though.
You may also prefer to use the fully personal version of the Menu Planner (the right-most option in the tools area here: https://www.trimdownclub.com/menu-planner), so that you can select the specific foods you want and meals at which you want them. Note that once you have a meal you like, you can repeat it as long as you like – just ignore the others.
I have to say cleaning my teeth after every meal helps so much I have started doing simple crafts is making pom-poms in the evening no snackinging while I am crafting I feel I am makes good progress
Angela Coulson 76
What is wrong with bananas?
Hi, hrp.davey. Not much! Bananas are highly recommended in a healthy lifestyle. If you are a diabetic and need to count carbs, note that each banana counts as 2 fruits or a fruit + a carb.
Having looked into your menu and tried it on one or two days I find there is too much food for a comfortable stomach. What are the various quantities uncooked in grams instead of cups?. Cups can be so variable in size. Are tablespoons level or heaped. Again grams weight would help.
Can I mix and match various snacks and meals from different days?
I find this a problem too I am confused about cup size portions too I would prefer grams
Hi, Sharon. Be sure to click the “gram” symbol on the left side of the toolbar above your menu.
Headley Powell My advice about Snacking is to get Some Organic Grapes in your Fridge or Other Organic fruits Mangoes They make a good snack Tesco have a good Organic or you can try Holland and Barret
Who is telling me not to eat bananas?!
hi new member in first week gone from 190lbs to 183 lbs so impressed.
Welcome and congratulations, lions112! We wish you continued success, and are happy to help in whatever way we can.
Hi whats the recipe for pesto sauce
Hi, Patricia. The base for pesto sauce is fresh basil leaves and olive oil at a 3:1 ratio. It is commonly seasoned with garlic, ground pine nuts, and/or grated Pecorino, Parmesan, or Romano cheese to taste.
Hi, My name is Renee. I am a new member. Will you help me get started? I really am concern more about my daughter than me. She is 14 years old and she weighs 230lbs. I want to do this together so she won’t feel like it is a diet. I love her with all my heart. She is going in high school and I don’t want the name calling to start. Kids can be cruel! Thanks
Hi, Renee. It’s a great idea for you to do this together. I recommend that you select the foods to go into your menu as a team, as well as exercise and read our information together. It is very likely to increase success for each of you.
Just joined up. Feeling very positive about the weeks ahead…
to not snack on a night between 7pm and 9pm I usually tap my forehead, cheek, thigh, and forget about eating, it takes your mind away from food.
I don’t feel very well in the mornings. I find it difficult to eat breakfast. Any suggestions??
Hi, marfrie. MANY people share that issue. I suggest to just eat or drink something small and gradually make it bigger until it is a full meal. When you start eating less in the evenings than you may have been used to in the past, that may help. Getting in a morning workout before breakfast can also help.
Still don’t know the five foods to stay away from
Hi, Barbara. The 5 foods are as follows:
1. Artificial sweeteners
2. Conventional and overly processed soy
3. Regular store-bought fruit juice
4. Regular whole wheat bread
5. Regular margarine
They are all just examples of popular foods that are supposed to be good choices, but have been manipulated into being anything but healthy. There are many others like them. We encourage you to find better versions, based on whole food principles.
It is no surprise to me that Barbara Fry did not know the 5 foods to stay away from.
If the people who created the Trimdownclub saw how advertising has infiltrated the programme with their list of five foods to be avoided – one of which is bananas – they might understand how this happens.
Carol
Why not artificial sweetners ? And what should you use to sweeten tea, for example, if not that ?
Hi, Phyllis. Artificial sweeteners can work against your goals here by “confusing” your metabolism and disrupting your body’s natural ecology, which has been linked to weight gain. You can find our article on sweeteners (including recommendations) here – https://www.trimdownclub.com/the-best-way-to-sweeten-your-tea-2.
My problem is eating between 7pm and 9 pm…need to stop snacking not even hungry…just a bad habit…
Brush and floss! The extra work put into a clean mouth makes you think twice about eating again.
I have a problem eating 6 small meals a day, I don’t have time or room for snacking.
This is my toughest time. I will try brushing my teeth!! Thanks
I completely agree with the brushing your teeth statement; it works!