Car habit

Every so often I have to drive up to my parents for my dad's oncology stuff and, pre-op, I was in the habit of munching on pizza combos and peanut M&Ms. Clearly this is not an option now but I noticed some physical/mental wonkiness during my Monday and Tuesday drives. I figure it's because I'm conditioned to want those snacks!  

Any advice on a more acceptable snack? Or how to break the conditioning?

My roadtrip story: I make a 6 hour drive to my Mom's once a month and had to change everything about what I eat and drink! no more drive thru's, hockey pucks... Now I pack my lunch, just like I do for work: baby carrots, beef jerky, almonds & RTD protein drinks. I have a bag of water bottles behind the passenger's seat so if I run out I reach back and grab one. That first trip post surgery had me worried but it works. Something else that works but I don't keep them in the house all the time is single serving string cheese. It's funny but I always drop 2 pounds on the weekends I'm on the road. I suppose I should eat like this more often. Or do a roadtrip every weekend :)

Hope this helps some.

Thankfully my drive is only three hours each way!  I took my drink and a shake, but I definitely was unprepared for the strong urge to chomp on something!  But then I started worrying that if I did get something to chomp, I wouldn't have room for actual dinner when I arrived and argh.  

I hear you on the weight loss thing.  Back pre-op I was spending 1 week out of every 3 with my parents for my dad's chemo and I'd eat so much healthier when I was with them.  Even though I was still the one cooking meals!  Go figure :P

Its all a mental game. You just need to stop. Im not sure how long of a drive you are doing, but I remember when I would only be in the car for an hour or a flight for 2 hours, and packed loads of snacks. If I was working I would never even eat every 2 hours, so reflecting back why would i need it then. I think you just have to realize it and dont do it. Bring a protein shake, chew gum, try to find sugarless candies that take awhile to dissolve. Dont bring anything in the car with you and then stop for something if you really think you are hungry.

But if you need that crunch or snack, what about chick pea snacks or edamame snacks (target sells the edamame ones)? You can take canned chick peas, dry them, season them with what ever you want - cinnamon, salt and garlic, and then you bake them at like 275 until they start browning. Its crunchy and you can make them sweet or savory and pack loads of protein. Or not as much fun, but crushed ice and put some mio in it for like an icee.

I struggle with this too especially since we are always on the go and we are stopping here or there, and the kiddos have snacks in the car. Very difficult. But just like decarbing, when you do it a few times it just gets easier.

The chickpeas sound so yummy!! I am going to try that, my kids will love them as well.

they are very good. However, do not use dried chickpeas. I did that the first time and b/c there was no moisture at all they burned. Use the canned, rinsed very well. Pat dry and leave on the counter for like an hour...and then bake.

Thanks!!

"You just need to stop."  Heh, if only it were that easy I wouldn't have gotten to be SMO in the first place, eh?  :)  

I do have some freeze-dried edamame that I haven't tried yet, so I might take those for an emergency next time.  The suggestion of a candy is really helpful - I normally have ricolla but didn't this time for who knows what reason.  That might have helped my habit.  

But I do think that I need to figure out how to just get over/past it!  I worked hard, this trip, to chug fluids when the feeling hit me and I think that helped me survive.  :)

I know i know..it was more in a jesting manner :) Can't tell connotation over chat boards LOL.  The edamame remind me of corn nuts.

Oh man, corn nuts.  I went through this HUGE corn nut phase - they're so deliciously trashy!  I'll try out the edamame tomorrow, since my meals are already planned out for today and I have no time/space for them.  

Once upon a time I used to hang out with a friend who had a 7 year old and he would always talk me into playing video games with him.  He would tell me, after I died, "Just tell your brain 'don't die,' Miss Gwen!"  Clearly we all need to apply his logic to our lives. :D  Just tell my brain, "don't care about food!"  (Wouldn't that rock if it worked?)