Nighttime Noshing - Part Two

Suggestions to Curb Nighttime Noshing

The Experts’ Suggestions to Curb Nighttime Noshing

Most of the registered dieticians and diet websites I found have pretty specific suggestions to help one curb nighttime noshing.

1. Distract Yourself with an Activity Other than Eating: "Call a friend or do a crossword puzzle instead.

A study published in the journal Appetite found that people who distracted themselves with a mental task reached for fewer snacks than those who didn't occupy themselves.

2. Take a Whiff: Research shows that smelling a food aroma can curb your appetite. Try keeping a chocolate- or vanilla-scented candle nearby." ( Susan Derry, Professional Counselor & Life Coach, Shape Magazine, Sept. 2006)

I like this one and will give it some thought.

3. Substitute Low- or No-Carb Snacks that Satisfy without Revving Up Your Engine : I can’t find many suggested low-carb substitutes that appeal to me – cereal, milk, popcorn and low-cal fudgesicles. Yuk, yuk, yuk and yuk. I need to find some that will satisfy ME.

Apple with peanut butter or low fat cheese - better ( Detective Editorial Staff).

Hummus with raw veggies for dipping, or fresh fruit – not bad ( Cynthia Sass R.D. and a national media spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association).

This idea definitely has merit. I will scour David Mendosa’s Glycemic Index (of almost 2000 foods) in search of snacks with a Glycemic Load less than 10.

4. Close the Kitchen: "After your last meal or snack, take a glass of water with you and consider the kitchen closed for the night. This may seem silly, but it really can help."

Nah. Ain’t gonna happen. And I don’t mean to criticize the Diet Detective Editorial Staff which made the recommendation. It’s just that I know I couldn’t/wouldn’t do it.

More Nighttime Noshing Articles

• Nighttime Noshing
• In Search of Low Cal Low/No-Carb Snacks for Nighttime Snacking
• In Search of Alternatives to Food
• Night Noshing - Getting Back on Track

This article is for informational purposes only and is not meant to be taken as medical advice.