Grazing... making excuses, or the answer?

LJ1972
on 2/14/12 1:30 pm - FL

SO grazing has become my new favorite past time.  I try so hard all day long to fight it, and then as I am sitting at my desk at work, late at night the munchy monster attacks with a vengeance.
   Up to this point, my "snacks" have generally been turkey pepperoni and laughing cow light cheese; greek yogurt w/ SF preserves; a strawberry w/ goat cheese.
  Those aren't high calorie, and they do have protein... but I am wondering -   if everytime the munchies come at me, I answer with baby carrots and celery? Maybe they will give up, I will be full on low / no calories?

Or is that just making excuses for grazing?

                 COURAGE TO START, STRENGTH TO ENDURE, RESOLVE TO FINISH
                             HW 353 SW 317 Original GW 180  Current Wt 170
                               First 5k 59:18; 5k PR 32:06; 1st 10k 1:20:27; PR 1:08:36
                                                    1st Half Marathon 2:48

Pensacola Double Bridge Run 15k- 1:47:34
Three Sprint Triathlons

Joy B.
on 2/14/12 1:36 pm - MD

RNY on 06/04/12

I feel like this all the time.

I usually get in my car and go get a sweet tea from McDees.

I think it is something mental. My NUT said try drinking water with a little lemon in it. Sometime this helps.

You are just trying to get used to not razzing so you graze just cut dwn the portions or chew a piece of gum (sugar fee of couse)

poet_kelly
on 2/14/12 4:26 pm - OH

RNY on 11/04/08

I don't see how drinking a sweet tea from McD's is different than grazing on snack food. A medium sweet tea has 180 calories and 45 grams of sugar. And of course has no nutritional value. I don't see how it's any different than getting in your car and going to get a candy bar.

Kelly

Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.

Ladytazz
on 2/14/12 1:44 pm

I just work the snacks into my eating for the day. For me the problem is when I just pick up things spontaneously and eat mindlessly, not thinking about it. Now I am conscious of what I put in my mouth. I plan out my food for the day. For me, I don't eat much during the day. I'm usually pretty busy and it's no big deal. I eat most of my food at night. I have 3 or 4 snacks after dinner, including protein drinks, so it seems like I am grazing all night but I don't feel bad because I have planned everything that I'm going to eat.
Almost everything I have is high protein except for the popcorn I have. I rationalize it by saying I need the fiber but really I just like it.

WLS 10/28/2002 Revision 7/23/2010

High Weight (2002) 240 Revision Weight (2010) 220 Current Weight 115.

Cicerogirl, The PhD
Version
on 2/14/12 2:42 pm - OH

RNY on 08/27/07

Although I definitely commend you for choosing healthy, relatively low calorie things to graze on, as someone who is 4.5 years out (and a counselor), my vote is that it is still grazing and is still dangerous to your long-term success. Old habits die hard and you will likely eventually find that if you allow the first bad habit (the grazing) to continue, the bad habit of choosing the wrong foods to graze on will not be too far behind. It is a very slippery slope.

My personal suggestion would be to add a PLANNED protein snack daily after dinner and mid-afternoon (I assume that's when you are talking about in terms of being at your desk at work when the urge hits). That will keep your blood sugar more stable (a plus in terms of your metabolism) and will allow you to have a planned "snack" while NOT giving in to the grazing habit. You eat your
planned protein snack and then you are done until the next planned meal/snack.

Lora

14 years out; 190 pounds lost, 165 pound loss maintained

You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.

LJ1972
on 2/14/12 11:54 pm - FL

RNY on 08/16/11

I was hoping you would chime in... because I think it is totally a habit or a mindset of ""I MUST eat this". As if something that tastes good will never taste good on another day at another meal. I am in counseling, but I really have to do a reality check with my counselor to see if he feels comfortable helping me through this or if I need to go to the psych doc through my surgeon. I have to do something.
I work 430pm-1am, but from about 6 on I find myself constantly reaching for my "snacks". My surgeon and NUT ok 5 small meals a day.... other than B,L,D... does it matter when I have the other 2? If I plan them and stick to the plan, does it matter if they are at 6pm and 11pm?

Cicerogirl, The PhD
Version
on 2/15/12 3:50 am - OH

RNY on 08/27/07

As long as they are planned, I don't think it matters when you have them. From a blood sugar standpoint, the more regularly spaced each meal/snack is, the better...

Most counselors should be comfortable dealing with problematic eating behaviors (even if they do not specifically deal with eating disorders), but some are not. If yours is not, then reaching out to someone else is definitely a good idea.

Lora

14 years out; 190 pounds lost, 165 pound loss maintained

You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.

Price S.
on 2/14/12 8:29 pm - Mills River, NC

RNY on 09/09/10

i call my snacks meals. Everything is a meal. So everything is protein based and planned. I do have 4 a day and that doesn't count 2-3 protein drinks during the day. I make sure I get 20 oz of fluid between each meal because sometimes when I want to eat, I really am thirsty. With all that, I am eating or drinking all day and don't have time for snacks. Works for me

66 yrs young, 4'11" hw 220, goal 120 met at 12 months, cw 129 learning Maintainance

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LJ1972
on 2/14/12 11:57 pm - FL

RNY on 08/16/11

Last night at support group my surgeon ok'd 5 small meals. Basically my day is sooo long (9am - ~230am) 3 meals would not be enough.
I guess I just need to do better to plan and stick to my plan. I have to beat down the head games.

jstigall
on 2/14/12 8:47 pm - Hilliard, OH

I have the same problem I have no problem during the day but at night I "have got too" have something in my hand strikes. At first it really bothered me then I just started putting things in the house that isn't bad like fruit or vegtables I hate vegtables but I will eat them if it's the only thing there. no sugar popscycles and yogart or fat free pudding. Some nights I eat and eat and eat just snacking all evening for several hrs but I eat slow and don't allow myself to go over full. it seems to not bother me I still am losing weight and I have found over time I am slowing down that phase. Some may not agree with me but it has worked for me. I still do the gym thing and still monitor my weight. So do what works for you and if you feel like that isn't enough get help. So far I haven't had to have any help but like I said evey one is different the fact that I am terrified of putting the weight back on is a good thing as it keeps me motivated and makes me want to do better.

Grazing... making excuses, or the answer?

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Grazing... making excuses, or the answer?