7 tips to stop snacking

Snacks aren’t always bad, but can sometimes get in the way of your goals. Here are our top tips to help you stop snacking:

1. Remove snacks from your home and workplace

Some people find it helpful to remove any snack foods you have in the house and remove snacks from your shopping list, so you don’t have access to them. If they’re not within easy reach, you’re less likely to snack.

2. Remember your goals

If you’re feeling hungry while on the go, remember your goals and reasons you’re doing this. There are several benefits to losing weight, you can read more here.

3. Recognise triggers

It can help to identify if there are any triggers that make you want to snack, for example stress or boredom, and thinking about alternatives to help you stay on track. If you often buy lunch and snacks out, why not try bringing a packed lunch to keep the snacks out of sight. This will also save you pennies!

4. Plan your meals

Some people find it helpful to plan out their meals for the day, so they know when their next meal is, and what it will be, which gives them something to aim for.

5. Drink more water

It's very common for people to feel hungry when they are actually thirsty. Do you frequently want something to eat right after a full meal? You might be dehydrated, and your body may be interpreting hunger pangs as dehydration.

Other symptoms you might experience include dry eyes, headache, sluggishness, nausea, dizziness, dry skin and constipation. Drinking water at regular intervals throughout the day - even if you don’t feel thirsty - may have a reduced chance of being dehydrated.

6. Understand your cravings

Sometimes the body tells you you're hungry, however it may actually be cravings. You can test this by drinking a glass of water and waiting 15 minutes. If water doesn't seem to satisfy you, it could be a craving or emotional hunger you’re experiencing, instead of real hunger.

These are distinguishable; if you're truly hungry, any food will do. However, if you’re craving something specific, you feel as though only this food will suffice. A sudden feeling of hunger that appears quickly even through you’ve eaten recently is more likely to be a craving rather than a true hunger.

7. Find a distraction

Whether emotional or due to boredom, cravings often crop up quickly. Most of the time, you may not actually be hungry or thirsty, but instead just need something to take your mind off things. Finding something else to do, such as going for a walk or having a chat with somebody may be the welcome distraction you need until the craving passes.

We’re here to help! Get in touch or register to discuss how we can support you.

How does this work?

The tailored approach LiveWell Dorset uses to come up with solutions to the things that are stopping us achieving our goals, is based upon work done by University College London developing the COM-B model of behaviour change. In this model, all behaviour is influenced by understanding a person’s capability to change, their opportunity to change and their motivation to change. By understanding which of these is the biggest barrier to change, we can tailor support accordingly. This model of behaviour change is at the centre of the support we offer, online and in person.

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