NO CHEATING! - CHALLENGE #16

"I hear there's pie, too!"

Snacking – shhhh ... don't tell!

Funny how when we think of snacking, there is often guilt attached to it. Or am I alone in this one? I have come to the realization that snacking is actually not such a bad thing. In fact, if you eat the right sized portions and pick the right sorts of foods, snacking can be a very good thing.

Like me, you've probably heard all the hype on how much better off we would be eating 5 smaller meals rather than 3 big ones.  I do see the merit in that, however, at our house, we eat the traditional 3 meals and that's that. In my mind, I cook enough - I have no interest in becoming a revolving kitchen. Nevertheless, the 5 meals would probably stave off a lot of the snacking tendencies. Knew I should have married a chef.

It's probably safe to say that most people snack out of habit. I know, I sure do. The sun goes down and I find myself aimlessly wandering to the pantry or the fridge (or both)!  However, now that I am no longer buying much in the way of junk food (courtesy of previous challenges) . . . I have to say . . . my wallet is appreciating it but my family is not. "Where's all the good stuff?" Actually, they haven't been whining near as much as I had thought they would (could be they are just going out and buying it on their own). Can't do anything about that . . . but it does mean they have to actually get off the couch to go out and get it.   Bonus - they are using their own money and not mine!

 

                                                                          

I must confess, I am not overly thrilled (whine, whine, whine) about this particular challenge. I know it will be good for me . . . but it's not an easy one.  Not that I feel that I struggle excessively in the area of snacking but I know I could do better. Especially when I have been jogging on my little rebounder and seeing some encouraging results. Unfortunately, I do have the muffin top thing happening. Not a surprise since most women will eventually fall prey to this little "sweetie". Now the chick above has the makings of a nice muffin top but I have to say - I may not be a big person, but my muffin top (or spare tire) has her's beat hands down.

Ok - you know you are getting desperate when you do this . . . took  a picture of mine with my cell phone! WHO IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD DO THIS? Trust me, it's NOT a very flattering picture. To think that it was worse a few weeks back when I had more stomach flab!  Well, for some of us, visuals are good reminders.  Maybe even a little like those rubber neckers on the highway . . . they see an accident and they are compelled to look. And, not unlike people who post pictures of themselves on Facebook. They are drawn to their pictures like a moth to a flame.  You can bet that I'm not posting that on Facebook anytime soon but it is a rude awakening to me everytime I check out pictures on my phone.  Can't say I ever look at that picture without cringing. 


Anyway - I've now started restocking my pantry and fridge with healthier choices. I'm also learning how shockingly small a portion really is.  I have totally been over-estimating what a sensible portion looks like. In this world of "super size that, please" it's not always easy to know what's normal anymore.  There is a term for that - portion distortion.  According to EatRight Ontario - 'Portion distortion is when over-sized portions of food start to look normal to you.' I'm thinking those Texas Donuts or huge Costco-sized muffins, here.  Another thing to keep in mind - the serving size on the sides of products you buy is not necessarily the same as what the Canada Food Guide suggests. Food manufacturers decide what a serving is for their products.


To be quite honest . . . in the past, I probably couldn't have cared less.  But now - I am learning.  A handful of nuts is fine . . . a cereal bowl of them, is not.  Two or three cups of popcorn is acceptable . . . a family-sized bowl full, is not.   Carrots and a few tablespoons of dip is good, a cup of dip is probably not a smart move.  Can you hear my lips smacking -  slap me but I LOVE dip! 

We don't always need to second guess ourselves or have a guilt fest when we have the occasional splurge or find ourselves at a special event. But - if you are like me and finding that you are pretty much "treating yourself" daily or notice that the weight has been creeping on over time . . . well - maybe now is the time to start paying attention to your eating habits. It amazing what we do without really thinking about it.

Experts can't seem to agree on when to stop eating for the day - though there does seem to be a greater consensus that we need more calories and food earlier in the day and less as the day goes on.  Lower fat, higher nutrition and fibre is always the way to go.  For me, I've decided that my cut off time for snacking is: after dinner.  That's my worst time. If we happen to have a later dinner, I have noticed that I just have no interest in looking around for more food for the rest of the evening.  I've just recently started having decaf tea or hot water when I am feeling "peckish" and if I really need to have something . . . I do make an effort to try to keep it to just one serving of whatever I pick for a snack.  Sometimes total denial isn't always a good thing. Kudos to those that can do it . . . I guess for me, life is just too short to be that drastic.


Not sure about you, but I have noticed that when I have too much time on my hands or am not occupied with something (uh, news flash -  tv doesn't really count!) . . . I have more of a tendency to think about food.  Plunking myself down in front of the tv, seems to go hand in hand with snacking.  Or what about going to the movies = popcorn and going out with friends = appies.  Funny how we equate certain activities with food.  I wonder if it isn't easier to make bad choices or throw in the towel when you say NO every single time. Learning to limit yourself to a reasonable amount of snacking makes more sense than denying yourself and making everyone around you nuts.  Love those nuts, too, by the way. Yum yum! 


It's a bit of a challenge, but if I know that I will be out in the evening (and the chances are good I'll be eating something) deciding to cut back calories earlier in the day is a positive and pro-active thing to do. 


There are many sites on the internet that tell you what a respectable size for certain snacks are . . . however, I've got the memory of a sieve so when there are no boxes or labels to check . . . I've just decided that visualizing one handful is easy to remember.  It may not be overly accurate but my hand is always with me and if the snack could fit into the palm of one of my hands (in theory), then I think, I'm good with that! 

Keeping track of 16 Challenges is almost a full time job. So far, so good. Some are going better than others but each one is making genuine progress. I am curious to see if not snacking after dinner will have any effect on my weight - sure hope so!  I do believe that after dinner, by staying a little more engaged in something, whether it be reading or some kind of a routine, I will find it easier in working on my snacking challenge. Sometimes a "little" can go a long way.   Maybe it's just knowing you can have it, but choose not to tonight that gives you a little more will power or feel a little victory or success. Don't really know . . . but one day at a time is a good way to start making those long lasting life changes.

Food for Thought: 

See you next week when I attempt my 17th Challenge - Screen Reduction!

Images  by:  famouspeoplesnacking.tumblr.com; thisisreallife.blogspot.com; asystoleisstable.blogspot.com; phonearena.com; cheapandsimpleveganrecipes.com