The idea with healthy snacking is that when hunger strikes (or what you think is hunger), no matter where you are you'll now have healthy snacks handy. No more having to buy a candy bar because you're famished. My choices for healthy snacks won't suit everyone, but that's fine. Choose other things that would work better for you. I enjoy things such as jerky, whole grain rolls or bagels, yogurts, and fresh fruits as I mentioned earlier. I almost always have an apple nearby.

The idea is that it's not that you couldn't wait, but what has forestalling your hunger done for you so far? It tends to set you up for later binging and out-of-control snacking. Eating a few healthy snacks during day can end that pattern once and for all.

Here's a plan: Think of one or two fresh foods you could carry in a big or small cooler and then do it. As I'm writing this I'm a little hungry and I'm starting to think about having a snack. I might eat an apple, a banana or some jerky because they are all within my immediate reach. That's far better than not eating anything now, but instead deciding to "wait it out," while I start thinking about cookies and cake and pizza and other fast foods I can grab on way home.

Going all day in a hungry or denied state sets you up for late night binging and out-of-control snacking. You'll never be able to make up for earlier deprivation. Why bother. I've never met anyone yet who got fat from eating too much fruit, so be brave and give this idea a chance.

Kathryn Martyn, Master NLP Practitioner, author of the free e-book: Changing Beliefs, Your First Step to Permanent Weight Loss, and owner of http://www.OneMoreBite-Weightloss.com

6. Try this recipe when you are feeling peckish to curb your need to buy junk food, or feeling urge to have a smoke.

2 eggs beaten 1 Chopped lean bacon rasher - no fat. 1 chopped canned tomato 1/4 cup soy milk/low fat milk 1 finely chopped leaf spinach/frozen spinach Sprinkling of low fat cheese

Mix ingredients together in mixing bowl. Transfer into a microwave safe bowl and cook on high for 2 minutes or until eggs have solidified. Eat with a low GI bread. You'll find that depending on quantity eaten, it can be a filling snack or light dinner.

7. When eating out. Avoid restaurants with all-you-can-eat option. These restaurants unfortunately encourage people to eat until they are bloated. Researchers found that 20% of weight gain among freshman University students could be attributed to their eating in all-you-can-eat student dining halls.

References:

Caroli M, Argentieri L, Cardone M, Masi A. Role of television in childhood obesity prevention. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 2004 Nov;28 Suppl 3:S104-8.

Levitsky DA, Halbmaier CA, Mrdjenovic G. The freshman weight gain: a model for study of epidemic of obesity. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 2004 Nov;28(11):1435-42.

Maddock J. The relationship between obesity and prevalence of fast food restaurants: state-level analysis. Am J Health Promot. 2004 Nov-Dec;19(2):137-43.

Copyright © 2004 Jenny Mathers. All Rights Reserved.