Twenty Five is the New Fifty Two

Sometimes I want to kill the man who came up with the slogan, “Once You Pop, You Can’t Stop!” for Pringles. Why? Because its so very true. You start with one and before you know it, you’re tapping the bottom of the can to get the last few pringley morsels into your mouth.

This is true for more than just Pringles. There has been many a time when I merely just eat for the sake of eating. I either snack continuously, or I just all-out binge from lack of eating all day.

Here are a few tricks I learned to follow to stay full, and save myself from pigging out:

1. Eat foods high in fiber and protein.
Fiber carries a lot of bulk, which will make you more full, and keep you that way longer. Protein is not only good for your muscles, but it takes longer to digest than carbohydrates do.
I like to eat: NUTS! (especially Almonds) Apples, Black beans, Tofu

2. EAT ONLY WHEN YOU ARE HUNGRY!
This one seems like a no-brainer, but there are many times when I find myself elbow deep in a bag of Fritos when I know for a fact I am not hungry. I just want to do something, and eating is that something! Eat when your body is hungry, and stop when you are satisfied; not packed full of food.
Suggestions: paint your nails (can’t eat with wet polish!), take a walk, get a freaking hobby!

3. Throw Out Your Satellite-Dish Sized Plates
I started using “dessert plates” at all my meals. This way, my plate is full of food, but its actually a smaller portion. I’m so tricky I can even outsmart myself sometimes!

4. Slow Down, Speed Racer!
If you hoover down your food, you aren’t giving your stomach enough time to tell your brain its had enough. Make a conscious effort to s-l-o-w-d-o-w-n. If you find this difficult, use small silverware. It sounds silly, but it works. I legitimately eat with gerber spoons sometimes

5. Stay Wet.
There are many times we mistake our thirst for hunger. Before you eat more, drink a big glass of water or unsweetened tea. Also make sure to stay hydrated throughout the day.
I like: Tazo Passion Tea (iced or hot), Teavana Roobos Tea, Celestial Seasonings Chai Tea

These are just a few tips I have found that are very easy to follow that stop me from stuffing my face throughout the day.

Anyone else have any suggestions?

Although nuts are considered “healthy” fats, they are still fats, and should be eaten sparingly.

Yeah, right.

So as far as I can remember, here is how the remainder of my day went:

2:30 pm (?)

Two 1/4 cup servings of GK Snack’s Cranberry Nut Mix:
140 calories (60 fat calories) per serving- 280 (120)

I also think that throughout my day at work (8:45am-6:30pm) I drank my weight in water, which resulted in a million trips to the bathroom. My co-workers my secretly wonder what I am plotting in there…

I arrived home, immediately grabbed a bag of those Ballpark Nacho flavored Frito chips and destroyed it. I then passed-out because I was so tired from the night before.

7pm

Small Bag of Ballpark Nacho Fritos
160 Calories (90 fat calories per serving)
two servings per bag- 320 (180)

I then woke up when my room mate came home about an hour later. Chatted with her for a bit before she left for dinner with her sister, and proceeded to look for something for dinner. I ended up making farfalle pasta with a bit of smart balance butter spread and daiya “cheese” on it. I will have to re-check the calorie counts on this, but I am going to place it somewhere around 300 calories. I also made some green peas.

8:30 pm

Noodle stuff
300 calories- 300
1/2 Cup Peas
60 calories- 60

I spent the majority of the night posted up on the couch feeling sorry for myself and intermittently crying while texting different friends. I still don’t know why I am so upset. Maybe I just need a good cry every once in awhile? Oh, I should also mention I ate a decent amount of Baked Lays potato chips in an effort to ease my pain. Yeah, it didn’t work

Time Unknown

Two servings Lay’s Baked Potato Crisps
120 Calories (15 fat calories)- 240 (30)

Then my room mate came home and gave me some chocolate covered-crystalized banana pieces. Exactly what I did(n’t) need!

Guilty O’Clock

Chocolate-Covered Banana Goodness
Let’s call it 150 calories- 150

She then left, and I was still feeling like a sap and laying on the couch. At this point, it was 12:30am, and I was still (in my mind, at least) hungry. Because I am mildly retarded and posses no self-control, I reached for the phone and dialed Pizza Shuttle. THANK GOD THEY DIDN’T ANSWER! So I did the next sensible thing; popped my sleep meds and passed out.

1am-ish
Two 25MG Topiramate Tablets
1/2 350MG Carisoprodol (Soma) Tablet

That brings the day’s total to a disturbing 1,905 calories! I didn’t even exercise at all. Gross. I would like to be around 1,00 calories a day, max.

Get your life together, you big cry baby, and stop trying to mop up your tears with snack food.