The Whole Bag, Box, Jar

Updated on February 06, 2013
R.H. asks from Fayetteville, AR
16 answers

How do you stop yourselves from eating all of something in one sitting (chips, cookies, pint of ice cream, etc.)? My thighs and upper arms are cottage cheese nowadays and I feel so out of control with my body.

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

V.W.

answers from Jacksonville on

Remove what you plan to eat from the package/container. And put the container away. THEN go sit and eat what you portioned out.

Never eat directly from the packaging the item came from the store in.

5 moms found this helpful

S.T.

answers from Washington DC on

if i bring the whole bag, box or jar out with me, i'm going to eat a lot more. if i take the time to put it in a bowl with an appropriate portion, it helps a lot.
sometimes i still go back for more. i have issues with snacking!
but that helps.
taking the big container with me is an open invitation to snarf it all down.
khairete
S.

2 moms found this helpful

More Answers

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

Self control
Keep the items that you have the hardest time with OUT of your house.
Portion control
NEVER sit down with a bag, box or jar
When you start craving, drink at least 1 full glass of water
Don't eat when you are bored, feeling down or watching TV -- take a brisk walk instead to get your heart pumping and get energy.

DON'T beat yourself up if you let yourself down and overeat. NO ONE is perfect. It is hard for anyone to stop snacking when they have an endless bag, box or jar in your lap!

Moderation is key... Don't cut out everything you love. If you love cheesecake for dessert, it's ok... just take 2 bites instead of eating the entire slice

Good luck!!

6 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.G.

answers from Detroit on

Keep 3 things in mind...

1. Don't eat out of the bag, box, jar, etc.
2. Don't eat in while watching TV, surfing the computer, reading, etc.
3. Replace with healthier snacks - nuts, grapes, even beef jerky.

If you find yourself sitting down and reaching for something, get up and do something else.

It's a habit, like everything else. It'll take time to break and develop new ones.

6 moms found this helpful

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

Some things I just can't have in the house.
I don't buy things that I know have that sort of power over me.
I don't even walk down the chips/cookie/snack aisle in the store.
You have to take some control, make a plan and not just let binge-ing happen.
Try keeping a food diary - there are a lot of good free ones online.
Record everything that goes into your mouth - find out where your calories are coming from.
Then make some changes to get that number down.
Drop any soda, drink more water, choose leaner meats and lower fat foods.
Decide what your goal is, decide how many calories you should eat per day (to lose some weight 1 or 2 lbs per week (a safe rate), 1200 calories a day is a good goal) then do NOT go over your daily limit.
You can have anything you want but when you hit your limit STOP.
Food diaries keep you honest and are great for tracking your progress.

4 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.S.

answers from Chicago on

If your buying big bags portion them out into zip lock bags. That's a weight watchers trick

4 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

G.D.

answers from Detroit on

I don't eat out of bags, boxes or jars. I take a serving and if it's not enough I have to go retrieve more-which makes me think twice. I also try to keep healthier/ more satisfying snacks. I do buy cookies and junk for the hubby and kids, but I don't touch them. I snack on peanuts, rice cakes, totilla chips, yogurt, and reduced sugar ice cream bars if I need sweets.
I also find if I exercise more I am less stressed and snack less ( I have a friend that feels the need to eat after going to the gym-so I guess everyone's different).

4 moms found this helpful

S.M.

answers from Columbus on

If you start tracking everything you eat, it will really make you think twice before you binge on a junk food. I started using a site called My Fitness Pal to track calories about a month ago, and I was appalled at how much snacking I was doing throughout the day. I always thought if I exercised on a given day, I could reward myself with an extra cookie or two, but when I actually did the math, I was eating more in "rewards" than I burnt off by exercising. If you have a smart phone there are a ton of free apps that you can find to help you keep track. Or you can just keep a little notepad with you and write down each time you have a handful of chips, etc. Once I started doing that, I will actually eat JUST the 7 pretzels, or just 1 cookie, which I never could do before. Good luck!

4 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.L.

answers from Colorado Springs on

The best solution is to keep the things you can't resist out of the house.

Alternatively, never, ever eat out of the package. Make yourself a routine - a ritual, if you want to call it that. Slowly and carefully, take out a small bowl or a small plate. Slowly and carefully, spoon the ice cream into the bowl (filling no more than halfway), or put the chips into the bowl (again, no more than half full), or put a small doily on the plate and gently place two cookies on the doily. Get the spoon (if it's ice cream) and a napkin. Slowly and beautifully, move into the dining room. Eat as slowly as you are able. Make an occasion out of it!

This really does help. You're becoming aware of what you're doing. Do you eat in front of the TV, or think you're in such a hurry that you have to gobble things down? Me too. So try it this way instead. After you've finished, think about what you've just done. Did you enjoy the snack? Good. Be thankful.

Next time you go for, say, the ice cream, ask yourself if you can manage one spoonful less in the bowl. Maybe, since you've given yourself the chance to taste what you're eating, you can have the same amount of enjoyment with less quantity.

After you're done snacking, head for the bathroom and brush your teeth.

The idea is to be conscious and deliberate. It will take some time until you stop thinking, "No, I gotta have more, right now!"

If you can't do it, throw the comfort junk food into the trash. You'll be wasting food and money, and you'll remember that.

Is there a way you can move your body more? Go to a gym or an exercise class? Walk around the block? Go up and down more stairs at home? It won't make you hungrier; it'll make your body feel better (after a couple of days).

4 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.M.

answers from San Francisco on

If I absolutely can't stop myself, I don't buy it. I had to stop buying Trader Joes ginger cookies, because I will eat the whole thing in 24 hours. When I buy Haagen Dazs choc. choc. chip, I make sure it's at a time when I can afford the calories for the whole container. I almost never make peanut butter cookies from scratch, because I end up eating them all by myself.

Meanwhile, you need to work out, if you're not already doing so.

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.D.

answers from Pittsburgh on

You must portion it out in the kitchen before you plop in front of the TV (yes I know you're not suppose to do that but realistically it is the truth...) When it is gone it is gone.

Know your "red light" and "yellow light" foods. If there is something inparticular don't buy it in the first place.

3 moms found this helpful

C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

Rhonda:

I don't eat out of the bag. I serve myself a portion and that's it.

Oreo cookies? Oh girl!! If I was to eat out of the package? They would all be gone!!!

Have you had your thyroid checked?
What's your exercise program? You know we are our own worst critics. I bet you aren't as bad as you think! :)

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.G.

answers from Houston on

I know how it is! I'm that way with Chips Ahoy.

Either don't buy them, or just eat the serving size listed on the back, or make sure to burn double those calories before and after you eat them. I heard drinking lemon juice or even sucking on a lemon helps curb chocolate cravings.

The more sleep you get, the more exercise you get and the more productive you are can also help curb your appetite. Also, buy a carrot or bell pepper, cut it open and breathe in the aroma...the fresh smell of vegetables always make me crave them instead of carbs when the hungries hit.

good luck! you can do it!

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.H.

answers from Detroit on

Buy smaller bags. Seriously. Don't buy the 20 snack bag pack, buy one or two of the small serving bags at the checkout. You can't eat it if its not in the house!

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.K.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Really easy. I don't buy any of those things so they are not in the house. If I am tempted to eat the entire container of strawberries it is just nota big deal.

If I really want something sweet, I will order dessert at a restaurant. One portion, shared with DH and DS that will never get into the house. If someone gives us cookies or such, I bring it into work.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.B.

answers from Beaumont on

Yes, I have done this in the past but am trying to change my evil ways... :)
I have 2 tween boys so there is TONS of food in the house but I try not to buy my favorite junk food just for this reason. If it's not my fav, I'm not nearly as tempted.

1 mom found this helpful
For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions