Beware of These Snacking Habits

Prevention magazine warns of six Bad Eating Habits to Break,

"For too many of us, snacking has become so automatic that our brains barely register the hand-to-mouth motion. ... A 2010 study from the University of North Carolina found that most of us eat nearly 600 calories a day—roughly a third of our food—in snacks rather than meals."

1. You're Good All Day But Pig Out At Night
   This may be because you're starving yourself by day. Eat a real breakfast and a filling lunch and try to save calories on dinner instead.
2. 2. You Stuff Your Face Before Dinner
   Are you starving when you get home from work and just cannot wait for dinner? Find healthy snacks like raw veggies or sugar snap peas. Drink water or have a clear broth soup.
3. You Can't Stop Eating In The Car
   Don't eat in the car!!! Avoid the temptation of drive thrus. If you must nibble on something, try gum or carrot sticks.
4. You Work At Home
   Keep a log of your daily activities, including every time you get up to eat. You may be surprised at how much time you're wasting. Also keep work and home separate by eating ONLY at the kitchen table, not in your work area.
5. You Graze At The Office
   I do this too much. Keep natural snacks like nuts at hand and avoid the "healthy" snack bars, etc, in the vending machines.  Force yourself to get up and eat your snack in the lunchroom or somewhere not at your desk. Drink more water.
6. Your Kids' Snack Habits Are Contagious
   Kids burn a lot of calories. When I look back I'm amazed at what I could eat in college and not gain weight. As an adult stick with real foods and avoid munching on cookies, oreos, pop-tarts, that your kids enjoy.