What gets you through cravings?

I'm new to the changing eating habits, I really need to lose weight but I love to snack!!!  When you guys get the munchies what do you snack on??

Low cal  or healthier versions of what I'm craving work well--

100 cal snack pack of oreos for cookies

2 squares of extra dark chocolate for anything chocolate (80 cal), or even better is

25 cal hot chocolate mix from nestle

Fruit for general sweet cravings

A few nuts or a portioned plate of salsa and tortilla chips for general salty cravings.

If I don't have the calories for it, though, I will try to drink a bunch of water and then distract myself some other way so I won't eat anything at all. Brushing your teeth works for some people. I like to get outside away from food or take a hot shower. Or read. =)

Personally, I really love munching on sugar snap peas! They're sweeter than your average pea pods but still low in calories and high in fibre and protein. Thanks to that, they're fairly filling. Satisfyingly crunchy, too. Those and other pre-washed, ready to eat veggies (like baby carrots) are a good thing to keep around your house. Plain, classic celery is another good option, especially if you're snacking more out of boredom than real hunger.

When I crave salty snacks, I go for pre-packaged frozen edamame or baby dill pickles. That extra sodium may not be the best for me, but they certainly beat a bag of chips.

For sweet cravings, I like mini fruit yogurt cups made with skim milk and artificial sweetener. Since they're individual portions and not ultra-delicious, it's easier for me to stop at one. Alas, small packages of cookies or chocolates don't work for me, since I just end up eating several of them if I have a strong craving.

However, I do agree with feanor about brushing your teeth or reading; eating right after I brush my teeth is less appealing to me, and brain-intensive activities can help distract you until that craving fades away.

As an aside, if you find yourself getting too munchy between meals, you might want to consider planning many mini-meals a day. Not only will it make you feel like you're cheating by snacking throughout the day, but it'll also keep you from sabotaging your dieting regimen with unplanned snacks. I'm averaging about eight "meals" a day, and that keeps me from wanting to to nibble when I shouldn't.

Lots and lots of fruit!!

 Low-fat pudding (only about 70 cals!)

Source 0% or Silhouette yogurt. 

I should try those.

I am so unhealthy.

I have a cigarette and a cup of coffee.

Sometimes, I'll also just eat a small jello cup and have a glass of water. Because sometimes I can't tell if I'm actually hungry or not. So I do that and wait to see if I still feel hungry 15 minutes later.

I read in a magazine that if you chew gum, you're less likely to crave sweets (and burn an extra 11 calories and hour, but I think gum can have ten calories?)

Hi,

Not the healthiest but I have cappucchino mix on hand 110cal per serving. I also buy fudgecicles 100 cal . Tea also tends to cut down on less severe urges, but the chocolately taste does it for me. Chocolate mints also work. If I have the taste for something salty, light or air popped popcorn does the trick and you can indulge because the calories are low if you make it yourself and just add a little salt/ sea salt 

air popped popcorn

raw veggies

sugar snap peas

Chai tea with frothed soy milk

water

30 pistachios

sugar free gum

sugar free hard candy

string cheese

I read in a magazine that if you chew gum, you're less likely to crave sweets (and burn an extra 11 calories and hour, but I think gum can have ten calories?)

 Most sugar free gum is 2.5 calories per piece. =)

Thanks everyone for all the great ideas.  I wish I could chew the gum but my gums won't allow it, they're too sensitive.

If I'm "good" for the day I indulge in an ice cream treat at the end of the day (and count it in with my calories), just thinking about that yummy cookies and cream popsicle helps me get through the day!

Blue bunny has some really good fudgcicles for only 35 calories. 

I usually just drink a ton of crystal light, diet coke, or coffee.

I have a whole bunch of the 100 calorie packs of chips (salt and carb craving) as well as bags set up with a mix of baby carrots, sugar snap peas, & celery.  I'll have a bag of veggies sitting by for me to snack on and drink a large glass of water or unsweetened ice tea. 

For a sugar craving, I'll eat a square or two of some dark chocolate.

Sometimes I'll have a tablespoon of peanut butter and that really satisfies. 

An orange is great because it can be really messy, sticky and sweet - it keeps you entertained for a while.

I try to snack slowly while I'm doing something else.  Like computer playing, watching tv, reading, etc. 

Good luck!

Love the vanilla pudding cups, sugar free & fat free!! - I believe they are by Hunts......only 45 calories!! And they are so creamy and good!

Also, the sugar free jello cups are only 10 cals!

cravings are temporary.  i wait.

peanut butter or any bread product, i love bread and sometimes I'll just have some low-fat yogurt

I love snacking too!   If I am craving salty I try to go for lightly salted rice cakes (25-30 calories. 

For something sweet...I keep fresh fruit cut up in a clear container so it is the first thing I see when I open the fridge.  To replace desert, I try and substitute Dannon's Light and Fit Yogurt (small cups are only 40 cals and larger cups only 60). 

But if you are already at or over your calorie limit...one of my favorite things is hot tea...try something flavored like green tea with pomegranate or another fruit flavor mixed in. You can add a little splenda too.  For chocolate cravings...you can try sugar free hot chocolate  (25 calories) but honestly, I am still struggling with my chocolate cravings!

Nuts like almonds (about 10 of them) works to satisfy my cravings.  Drink a glass of water or a cup of herbal tea after and it makes you feel full.

If i'm craving something sweet, I just brush my teeth.

If i'm hungry, I eat oatmeal or a banana, or I chug a glass of water.

I love snacking. I tried eating less during meals and snacking through the day, but it's more expensive.  

The thing that gets me through cravings are Oatmeal Bars by Quaker Oats.  They're just sweet enough but not too much.

When I find myself reaching for the freezer door and it isn't to take out food to thaw for the next day I know that I am looking for ice cream. Yes, there have been times when I did not even realize until I had that container in my hand. I now keep frozen grapes in the freezer. I measure out a cup wash them and put them in a zip lock bag. I put them where the ice cream container used to be so that way it is what I reach for automatically. Cold and sweet treat that cures my craving and tastes great.

I have a new favorite snack.  I put yoplait fat free yogurt in the freezer, and every 30 minutes or so i'll kind of squeeze the cup so It doesn't freeze solid.  Anyway, after and hour or so, it gets these little frozen crystals in it and it makes a really good after dinner snack.  Kind of like ice cream!  Strawberry and peach are the best this way.