Do you have a control food?

I bought some of the naked juice berry mix and I don't hate it but I just don't really like it and don't want to just throw it out.  I was still hungry last night after dinner and decided that if I was truly hungry I'd drink a glass of that.  It turns out that I was hungry instead of just snackish.

I know what you mean.

I use an apple as a control. If i think im hungry I ask myself if i want an apple. (sure i like apples but not that much) If i want the apple Im hungry, If not then i know im craving food for the wrong reasons.....

Im a binge eater and this is helping

I like to saute up a cup (or 2) of broccoli. Sprinkle on a spice called "Hotshot" (black pepper and red pepper mixed) and then once its done, squeeze lemon juice all over the broccoli. It's delicious.

Yep, tofu.  I'm a vegetarian, so you'd think by now I'd have started loving it, but I'm neutral at best.  If I'm really interested in eating the tofu, I'm hungry.

Apples - mmmm, me loves my apple snacks!

Bittersweet chocolate

Hmm, I had never thought about doing that.  So basically pick a food that you don't mind eating but that you neither love (like ice cream) nor hate (brussel sprouts).

Should there be a calorie limit?  Say 100 or less (snack) or 200-300 (small meal)?

I'm thinking of using a good old PB&J.  I don't care much for peanut butter so if it sounds like a good idea I must be hungry. 

this is actually a very good idea...  it sounds like it might really help with my occasional binging/overeating...

thanks, everyone!

I think i will use apples too

Yep, plain oatmeal is mine.  It's ok but not my favorite, so I keep packets of instant oatmeal in my desk at work as my control food.

That's exactly what I mean.  I see chocolate almond milk and think yummy, I'll drink some whether or not I'm hungry.  I see this berry juice mix in the fridge and I think, um, not!  Unless I'm actually hungry, in which case it still doesn't taste delicious but it's okay to drink.  I won't be buying more of that particular item, but there are other things that I like a bit better that will server a similar purpose.

Yup! At first I didn't really get the question..I was like control food WHAT? But yes! I do have a control food.  It's sugar snap peas!

If I'm really hungry I will eat some of those, they aren't great but they aren't horrible either.  They're really awesome at helping one decide wether one is hungry or not.

control food at school is that apple and eve's fruit punch. Its really gross if im not hungry or thirsty but if I am it tastes like fargin' AMBROSIA

my control food = raw celery

I find it to be a chore to eat raw (I'll force myself to eat it sometimes b/c I'll buy it to cook with and don't want to waste food when I have some leftover).  I'll think "I want some food" and look in the fridge to find pre-cut celery and if I don't want it, then I usually won't eat because I don't need the food at that second.

I don't think a control food would work for me. When I get really hungry, I actually start feeling sick, and don't want ANYTHING. I also get extremely indecisive about what to eat. I often have to get somebody to tell me what to eat, or force myself to eat something small to get my appetite back again.

And no I never intentionally get to this point, I try to avoid it, but sometimes I just forget to eat because I'm always running around being busy. I really have lost all conception of how much food my body needs and when due to issues with overeating... so counting calories has been really good for me.

Steamed broccoli. Only because it takes a while to make and sometimes I like to see if I'm just bored or really hungry.

It's saved my behind a few times :)