Favorite Tricks

Hi all,

I just thought it might be fun to start a thread on our favorite tricks that help us stay on program.

For example - to avoid extra "tasting" I saw someone cooked with a cough drop in her mouth - what a great idea!

For me, I fill the sink with hot, soapy water, and as I finish using a bowl or utensil I toss it in to prevent any temptation.  (Oh, this is when I'm baking)

What do you guys do that works to help you out?

I have a problem when we go out for dinner, if my kids don't finish their meal I pick at it.  So now when they are done and the waitress is not around to pick it up right away they cover their food (especially desserts) in salt, pepper, hot sauce whatever is on the table.  I am not touching apple pie with salt and hot sauce on it!! 

My husband does this for me when we order pizza too.  He likes hot pepper flakes (his own blend of habenaros) on his pizza so he takes my allowed 2 pieces out and then puts hot flakes on the rest so I am not even tempted to pick.  Works great for me!

I have not done this myself but in the biggest loser book it says if you order dessert only take 2 or 3 bites and then pour salt all over it so you don't eat it all. I thought that was a good idea. i think this it a great thread and look foward to seeing what everyone else says.

       &nb sp;            april

Ooh the cough drop is a good idea!! I will have to bring a bag to work with me.. I work at a bar and always have to walk through the kitchen, sometimes I grab a fry or two on my way by lol or whatever else looks tasty haha.

Well one of my little tricks for home.. I just bought a bunch of smaller bowls and dishes ... that way they look nice and full when I put food in them! It gives me the visual I am looking for.

When I finish eating, I don't let myself go into the kitchen for about 15 minutes.  That way when I do go into the kitchen to put my dishes away or whatever, I don't have the urge to grab something else to eat.  Another thing I do is if I'm hungry, I distract myself for about ten minutes and then if I'm still hungry, I can get something to eat. 

Oh - Jessie you just reminded me of one of my favorite tricks!

I love to end the day with something sweet and I really like the Blue Bunny fat-free no sugar added ice cream.

I put it into one of the plastic bowls that my kids use - and it looks like so much more! 

At school, im always tempted to just grab food and eat it... I have so
much in my room.. and my roomate is a junk food hog... so I like to
keep gum on me... usually sugar free... I tell myself to eat a piece of
gum when I reach for something bad for me... 5 calories compared to 200
is a big difference! haha

I love the cough drop idea too....use sugar free so the sugar doesn't corrode your teeth!

When I go out for dinner, I order a takeout box at the same time as my meal. When they arrive, I immediately put half my entree into the box. Out of sight, out of mouth-and I have a yummy lunch in store for me next day. :)

Most days I'm cooking for one, so I've learned how to cook one serving only.  For instance, tonight I had macaroni.  I weighed out 2 ounces of dry elbows and cooked only that.  I made a delicious sauce with only 3 ounces of very lean ground beef, some onions and bell peppers and canned stewed tomatoes.  It made a very large but calorie controled serving, all for me!

If I make batches I end up having seconds and thirds.

Tip number two - eat small amounts frequently so you never get hungry.

I just thought of another one I have to do.

I work for a company that is a snack-eaters heaven (and a healthy eater's hell!)  In a typical week there are doughnuts, chips, candy, etc. 

I always brush my teeth after lunch so I don't get tempted to partake!  (Ok, there are other benefits, too)

I also use the gum idea. I come back from lunch and am full but still feel the urge to chew.... so I chew gum instead of snacking on the candy that is in the office.

I also drink a lot of water throughout the day to keep the full feeling. Aside from that feeling of being full, my body needs the water for other reasons.

I weigh and measure out everything into appropriate servings as soon as I bring it home from the grocery store.  Takes forever to put away groceries this way, but it's worth the trouble.   Also convenient to grab and go in the morning when I'm looking for my lunch. 

My fridge and freezer are full of little containers and plastic baggies.

I've got a new one - I put my luna bars in front of my cookies to remind me to make healthy choices:) 

I also clean the kitchen as I cook and put food away after it's been served up - that way there is nothing to "nibble" on:)

I found that throughout the day of controlled snaking I still find myself dreaming about foods that are very unhealthy for me. To sway my cravings, I have stocked up on rolls of lifesavers and pop one in my mouth any time I have one of these cravings.

By the time it is gone so is my craving!!! I get the sweet sensation and low calories Iâ??m looking for!!! It works after meals too!

these are all such great suggestions
one of mine that i recently messed  up on, but had been working for weeks was to not go to the fridge/ cupboard/ food storage area and hold the door open, browsing the shelves for something to eat. I have to know exactly what i want to eat before i even think of opening the fridge door. That way I make a healthy decision before opening the door to temptation. Grab the apple, and get out of the kitchen. It really works nicely, and with a glass of water to go with your snack being hungry shouldn't be a problem.
One more 'trick' is to not cut up your fruits/ veggies/ other snacks, but eat them in large chunks- like a cucumber, dont slice it up, cut off half and try to finish that. By the time your done you will not be hungry. Its all too easy to go through an entire apple worth of slices in 2 minutes, but try to eat the whole thing in the same amount of time..
Hope these help! And if anyone has any suggestions about how to put an end to bingeing PLEASE help me out!! I think its out of boredom, not lack of nutrients.. Thanks :)

I'm on my way way to Costco to buy cough drops in bulk. I think I may have to pop em constantly through the day........