How can I stop picking at food?

All day I usually try really hard to stick to my calorie counting and what I've planned to eat. But I usually find myself snagging a fry from one of my friends during lunch, or eating some crackers while I cook dinner. This happens to me ALL the time, and I was wondering if anyone had any tips on how to end this. 

I can't offer you any really good advice, sorry.  I sometimes do that too, especially when cooking dinner, but usually my will power stops me.  I stare at the food, imagine eating it, then go about my business.

All I can suggest to you is having something like baby carrots or strawberries close at hand.  They are low in calories, healthy sources fiber and vitamins, yes they are high in sugar but its a healthier sugar than sucrose (table sugar).  You can carry a ziploc baggy of baby carrots around in your purse/bag/pocket(maybe?).  I can get to four carrots and usually the "munchies" feeling subsides....and that's only 20 calories for 4 big ones.

Sometimes while cooking dinner, I do get the 'munchies'. I try to snack on a peice of apple or some baby carrots.

As for the fries, when that happens to me, I just picture me in my goal weight compared to my current weight. That usually motivates me to avoid the fries. ;)

Weigh everything and anything you eat and log it into fitday. (or calorie count since this is the site... haha) Watching the numbers add up stopped me from picking at food. It's a little obsessive, yes, but once you visually see the calories it should help stop and you won't have to do it anymore. Or, snack on some bell peppers and drink some water.

Try brushing your teeth before you cook?  I heard Pamela Anderson does that.

Wait 10 mins before you reach for some food - you might find you don't want it so much then. 

Keep out of the kitchen!?

I struggle with this too, try having gum on hand and put one in before you go in kitchen. I just started doing this and so far it's worked pretty good and trust me, if it works for me, there is a good chance it'll work for you.