How to stop thinking about food...

I am able to control my portions at lunch and dinner but my problem is is when I come home from school or work after lunch or dinner...Im sitting there reading or studying and my stomach grumbles and I really feel like I need to eat but ive had all I should for the day...is there anyway to prevent or curb this feeling?

Chewing gum always makes me forget about food or that I'm even hungry. Also, I never buy any "bad snacks" for my house. When I go to the market and pick out something I know I can chow down in one sitting or can't get enough of I don't buy it. I'm just asking for trouble that way. Another way to curb your appetite is buying drinking tea or even just water. It'll keep you full for a bit.

Hope that helps ;)

I get the same thing when I am up late in my dorm studying or reading...

Things I do:

chew gum

hot tea (always good!) - noncaf herbal teas are delicious and healthy...or decaf green *and it boosts your metabolism!

drink water

brush your teeth - tells your body...i'm done for tonight so stop grumbling at me!

sugar-free hard candy 

or if you are legitimately hungry snack on some raw veggies (baby carrots, celery, green pepper, cucumber...anything) or something like fat free popcorn or rice cakes

i would try to stay away from fruit because the sugar might make you hungrier or want more *i used to go crazy with fruit! so if you decide to eat some fruit balance it out with something not so sweet like veggies

I used to have a serious night time snacking problem...and these things have really helped me control it. Like I would be great all day and then blow it mindlessly snacking while studying and such.

Powdered chicken broth has only 15 calories for a cup and it makes me feel like I've had "real" soup.

Sugar free jello, if you don't mind aspartame, only has 10 calories per serving.

Cucumber and celery are also very low cal for those times when I need something after I've reached my daily limit.

If you're not that hungry during the day, go light on the calories and fat for breakfast and lunch.  Like you, I'm a night time snacker.  I got in this position by eating cheese and doritoes and hershey bars every night after I put my kids to bed.  In order to lose weight, I have to keep my calorie intake under 1,500/day.  I need to eat low calorie regular meals, in order to have the allowed snacks that I want.  Most days I'll get away with less than 200 calories for breakfast by having rice check w/half cup of fat free milk and 1/2 cup berries.  Then I can have a 110 calorie Special K bar in early afternoon.  Many days lunch is a Lean Cuisine and a big salad.  I try to only buy Lean Cuisines that are under 300 calories.  At night, I'll eat what the family is eating if it fits into my calorie count, or if not, another low cal froz dinner and a big portion of vegetable (asparagus, peppers, brussell sprouts, whatever).  After I put the kids to bed I have a huge bowl of hot air popped popcorn (1/3 cup unpopped =213 calories and 2.67 grams of fat).  I add Molly McButter cheese buds to it (14 teaspoons = 70 calories, 0 g fat).  This gets me through the diet.  So far it is working and preventing me from cheating and I've lost 17 pounds since January 1.  Everyone know their weak spot.  If yours is night time hunger, accomodate for it.

 P.S. I also love to keep a liter jug of seltzer water in my hand at all times.  Personally I love the lime.  For some reason, fizzy water makes me believe I'm getting something better than plain old water.  It must be psychological.