I don't know how to snack : /

Is it best to have 3 meals a day and snacks in between? Is this right? Because I feel like that's way too much food. Or do I just eat snacks whenever I get hungry?

Also my other question is.. the point of this topic is how do you guys snack? I always start off thinking "okay, I'm gonna eat an apple then move on." Next thing I know I've eaten almost 300 cals or over for a "snack". Isn't that how much you're supposed to eat in a regular meal?

I'm not sure if this is the right place to be putting a thread like this, but basically I just wanted to know, am I the only one who doesn't know how to snack properly? And if I am, what is everyone else doing to have such amazing self-control that, as of now, I can only dream about?

~ Avery : )

I usually snack between meals because otherwise I get too hungry. You don't have to snack, but if you find yourself overeating when you have only 3 meals a day, then you may want to give it a try.

At work it is easy to snack, because I only bring exactly what I am going to eat in a day.

At home, I use a small plate (like a saucer) or bowl and put my snack on it. If I use a plate, I never go back for more. For example:
Slice & core an apple and put it on a plate
Measure 1 serving of dry cereal and put in on a plate
Count out 10 baby carrots and put them in a bowl

I don't really know why it works for me, but it does.

I really hope this helps...

What I do is plan my meals ahead of time and pack my snacks for the day.  I pack an apple, baby carrots, yogurt (low fat 6oz it's 90 cals), and many rice cakes or 100 calorie snack packs.  The key to this is to enjoy a good breakfast and then I snack when I get hungry.  I will have the yogurt usually about mid morning, couple that with plenty of water and I'm usually pretty satisfied until lunch.  The afternoons I usually snack a little more and that's when the apple, carrots, rice cakes, or 100 calorie snack packs come in handy.

A couple of other things to think about is that higher amounts of protein during your regular meals will help to keep you satisfied a little longer.  Also when you feel hungry during the day, try to drink a glass of water before eating anything.  Many times your body is actually craving water and we misinterpret that as being hungry.  Water really, really helps curb the craving many times.  You will notice that most of the people that you see on here does pretty well with drinking plenty of water.

Don't take this as the only option for you, but this is what works for me.  You may find that you need to eat 5-6 smaller meals per day.  Try out a few different things, try a few different snacks until you find what works for you. 

thanks guys!!! i'll try those things.. maybe that'll work. thing is i don't go to work. i'm a student in college and i can't eat in class. i usually eat in my dorm room between classes where i have all this food so close to me. and that doesn't help...

but how often do you guys wait to eat between snacks, meals, etc?

Also, try not to eat dinner just because it says so on your watch......just eat them when you are hungry.  If you plan on eating your dinner at 6 PM, then you may miss a snack time, knowing you are going to be eating dinner shortly.....

Eat when you are hungry, but planning out the day's food intake ahead of time is a great way to stay on a schedule.  Also a good way to get those extra calories in when snacking is important to you.  I find that peanut butter on toast is a good way to wrap up my day, and also happens to be the same time I am usually searching for fattening chips, or other things that are "bad" for you.

 DO NOT MISS BREAKFAST!