Around 3:00 at my house all H-E double L breaks loose. All three kids are needy at this time. We have some homework, dinner and extra-curricular activities. You would think with all the hub bub I wouldn't even think about food. But I usually am floating in and out of the kitchen, and my kids are usually having an afternoon snack. I automatically have this desire for food. I don't know if I am stressed, so I think I am hungry. I don't know if it has just become a habit from my school years that this is my hungry part of the day. I try to be sensible for all parties. An apple, carrots, grapes, trail mix. I feel like with my three kids and having to decide what and when they are going to eat, that I am constantly faced with this war about true hunger or emotional eating or habit.Bare in mind there are frequent times when cookies and chips are out as well. When I cook I probably nibble myself two hundred or more calories with all the spoon licks. I know that too often my kids don't finish their plates so I reach for their left overs as well. That is a big no-no. How can I break these stupid habits? I'll take any suggestions if this time or this story sound familiar and how to only eat when hungry. Eating when starving gets me no where I know!!

that happens to me around the afternoons i feel like having a bag of skittles or going to reach for the kitchen door evertime u feel hungry just drink water thats what i do and if u don't want to be around the house leave with your kids somewhere, if u catch yourself going in and grabbing cookies or something give it to your kids....and if ur cooking give your kids to taste if the food is good or not :=D

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll try them out next time. Today has not been so good.

Heylo Boundbypound!

I SOOOOOOOOOO use to do the eat leftover Kid food thing. You just have to tell yourself NO.. Stop, and a lot of times I would put food in my mouth, then realize it was in my mouth, walk over to the trash can and spit it out!

I'm a big time picker, but if you just keep telling yourself to STOP and think, eventually you will. You have to retrain your brain, and be fully conscious of what you are doing to yourself. I use to mindlessly eat all the time, but it was only a bad habit that I have broke, and If I am really hugry, I'll eat an apple, Drink water, eat a banana, Or even light Popcorn. Something High in Fiber. And make sure you eat Three meals and three snacks. that way your always still eating.

You can DO IT!!!!

definately listen to him he knows what he is talking about but i have a question, is this bad what im eating

breakfast
2 scrambled eggs
and orange juice

snack
water

lunch
subway wrap
with chicken breast
lettuce
mayo
and tomatoe

dinner
chicken breast
and salad

is that bad

Boundbypound ~ like it has been said so many times to me and others here, "you didn't get/create these bad habits overnight, so you won't lose them overnight." Try to be a little more patient with yourself. It was previously said that you are going to have to "retrain your brain" and that is definitely a part of making a lifestyle change. You will have to stop and tell yourself no...is that 5th taste to see if dinner tastes good really worth it? Don't sweat it, you've got this and you can do it, and just remember everyone is here to talk you thru it. Best wishes!!