At first glance, the title may appear to be amusing.
But if you’re having the same issue, you’ll understand what I’m talking about.
I have a nasty habit of becoming hungry while cooking and munching during the process. This behavior added a lot of calories to my diet because, by the time I had to start cooking my lunch, I’d already eaten a lot of food.
I used to munch on a piece of cheese, bread, vegetables, or something else whenever I made a sandwich or soup in the past. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. What a pain!
To be honest, it’s hardly the end of the world. And it’s not that bad if you eat nutritious snacks like nuts, fruits, and vegetables.
However, the difficulty is that most of this nibbling happens unconsciously while cooking. You are unable to really enjoy your cuisine since you are not entirely focused on it. You simply grab and eat whatever is available. Furthermore, did you know that daily taste-testing might add 400–500 calories to your diet? That is something you do not want to happen.
It’s best to get rid of this habit because it doesn’t help you maintain a healthy body and doesn’t fulfill you. Instead, eat more substantial meals for lunch.
The goal of this article is to assist you in overcoming this perplexing habit. At the very least, make your snacks more nutritious and less frequent. Are you all set? Let’s get started!
Why do you snack while cooking?
- You deprive yourselves of food. When we smell food, we naturally become hungry. When we are truly hungry, however, it might spiral out of hand. It’s all too easy to start nibbling on everything in sight. As a result, make sure you eat on time and don’t overeat.
- It’s just a habit of mine. It’s probably the most common cause. Because the kitchen is always connected with food, we tend to begin eating as soon as we enter. To stop the habit, you must pay attention to your behaviors and take your time.
- You’ve been dehydrated. We frequently overeat when our bodies actually require water. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated.
- You’re tired of being bored. Another widespread behavior is to munch continuously for pleasure when you are weary, bored, or unable to wait for your meals to be prepared. You can avoid this by entertaining yourself in other ways, such as watching a TV show or listening to a podcast while cooking.
How to stop snacking while cooking
Many people have devised various methods to break the habit of snacking while preparing meals. I’ve tested the most popular ideas and strongly encourage you to try them out!
1. Whitening your teeth with a toothbrush or whitening strips. That’s a strange strategy, but it appears to work effectively. You have the option of brushing your teeth before going to the kitchen or putting on white strips once dinner is ready. It not only keeps you from munching, but it also improves the health of your teeth!
You are free to alter this procedure as you see fit. You could, for example, try oil pulling. It’s great for your oral health since it lowers harmful bacteria in your mouth, keeps you healthy, and gives you fresh breath. Put a tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth and swish it around. Oil pulling usually takes 15–20 minutes. So why not combine this healthy regimen with a commitment to not munching excessively?
2. Prepare your food ahead of time. If you can’t completely avoid eating while cooking, pick your snacks carefully. One idea is to have only one very specific snack ready for dinnertime preparation. Salads, berries, or celery with hummus are all options.
For such snacks, it’s a good rule to stick to veggies and leafy greens. As veggies are high in water and fiber, you won’t consume as many calories this way. Furthermore, green vegetables have been shown to lower cravings.
If you can’t stop yourself from snacking while you’re cooking, some fresh bell peppers and cucumbers won’t hurt. Keep a bowl of grape tomatoes on hand to snack on because they are low in calories (you can use other chopped veggies if tomatoes are not your favorite).
Prior to cooking, it’s a good idea to have some protein and healthy fat. They both act quickly to reduce hunger and cravings while also balancing blood sugar levels. Nuts, cheese, avocado, and eggs can all help you satisfy your munching urges.
3. Pick a drink. You may mistakenly believe you are hungry when you are not. One of the most common causes is dehydration. So keep an eye on your water intake and make it a habit to drink when you’re hungry. The majority of the time, it works perfectly!
I think having a nice bottle of fruit/berry-flavored water around is a great idea. You can grab it whenever you want to bite and instead take a swig.
If you like hot beverages, make a pot of tea and sip it while you cook. A cinnamon stick can help to boost the impact by balancing insulin levels and preventing sugar cravings. Herbal tea can also help you avoid post-dinner munchies.
A cup of coffee, iced or hot, depending on the season, works even better for certain folks. Coffee is a never-ending pleasure!
4. Stay away from foods that are addicting. Let’s face it, some foods are so irresistible that you can’t help but devour them when you see them. Pistachios, Brazil nuts, potato chips, ice cream, and other similar delicacies are some of my favorites.
Keep these foods out of your reach as a remedy. I keep a little container of nuts on the table, but I hide the rest in my cupboard to avoid mindless snacking (which occurs a lot with nuts!). Better yet, put the pack on the very top shelf, which you can only reach by bringing a chair. Because it’s so painful, you’ll have plenty of time to consider if you really need to eat it.
5. Make preparations. Snacking can be avoided if you prepare ahead of time. Make your tea, water, and nutritious snacks ahead of time. This is the most crucial stage. Whatever tactics appear to be the most beneficial for you, you must plan ahead of time or you will forget about them and find yourself mindlessly munching again. So, be ready!
Begin right now by selecting/purchasing a nice bottle, filling it with water, and adding some berries/mint. Put it in the fridge so you can get it the next time you go to the kitchen to cook.
You can also make a reminder for yourself by printing or drawing it. Simply write “Watch your snacks” or “Drink your water” on your refrigerator and stick it there. It can be hung anyplace in the kitchen where it will be seen. It’s an excellent tool for staying focused.
What helped me the most
All of the aforementioned suggestions have the potential to be useful and beneficial. However, I find that drinking water and eating leafy greens work best for me. Now that I know these strategies, I eat a lot less than I used to.
I wasn’t “cured” overnight, of course. Snacking in this manner has become a habit, and habits are sometimes more difficult to break than hunger.
You must allow yourself time to quit any bad habit, just as you must give yourself time to break any other bad behavior. It is critical to remain focused and devoted. But it’s fine if you get off track now and then. Just keep reminding yourself that you want to cut down on snacking while cooking.
It takes time to establish the right balance, so don’t be too hard on yourself if you nibble. If you’re hungry, you should eat. If you aren’t, use the ideas above to help you break the habit. It’ll be OK! According to studies, it takes 21 days to form a new habit (or break an old one), so set a month-long goal for yourself. And remember to be mindful!
Experiment with different options to determine what works best for you. When you make a complete meal without snacking, I’m sure you’ll be proud of yourself!