As a recent bandster, first let me thank everyone for the wonderful advice, companionship and laughs this forum has provided...you are fabulous!

My question: when that urge to have a snack, rather than giving into it, what non-food substitute do you use? I realize that Snacks are not inherently 'bad', but I am more interested in trying to retrain my body from always adressing a munchie urge with food. So far, I have used these techniques...if at work, I brush my teeth (I like the feeling of clean teeth and therefore won't eat for while). If at home, I go to my closet and try to put on an article of clothing kept from a previous lower weight...that quickly curbs my appetite.

:confused2:

I chew gum or down a lot of Water. Also, I try to address the issue at hand. Eating for me has always been emotionally driven, so I have to take a step back and ask myself what I am really feeling and why I feel the urge to eat.

I used to snack all day long.... because I was stressed, etc. Stuffing my emotions is what I was trying to do.

Going for a walk....

Drinking water, tea, coffee or any non cal liquid. Sometines I chew ice chips.

i too chew gum and drink water-mostly w/ crystal light. i have started a new thing, repeating to myself, nothing tastes as good as thin will feel..... i am gonna type that up and put it on my fridge and pantry doors!

and my newly acquired, as of today, munchie curber-----the pic's of my sil she sent of her tummy tuck w/ lipo! all i am gonna have to do is look at those on my cell phone and that will be it. i am so jealous!!!

I like water..

Just a tidbit, I don't know if it's true, but I read something about the sugar-free gum actually stimulates hunger from the sweetener in it.

I never liked gum initially, but for banding I was told not to chew it, since it could get stuck and have to be surgically removed. Ick.

I like Water..

Just a tidbit, I don't know if it's true, but I read something about the sugar-free gum actually stimulates hunger from the sweetener in it.

I never liked gum initially, but for banding I was told not to chew it, since it could get stuck and have to be surgically removed. Ick.

WHAT? well that just sucks if its true. stupid gum! i cant say that i have noticed it..??? hmm, well then...maybe i better find something else....

and i never thought of that whole getting stuck thing. eww....

Its hard 'cause I can only eat 3x a day, no snacking, and I'm PMSing. I'm coming up on my 1 month of being banded (yeah!!) and I go for my 1st fill on 3/25. The munchies are coming on strong now...

i chew ice, gum, and drink water. i also address why the craving hits.

I chew gum. I have become a hot tea addict and I add cinnamon because it helps the metabolism. This is a food, but when I am dying I eat a sugar free jello cup.

A cup of hot tea or decaf coffee for me. (it's usually late afternoon or at night). A splash of milk adds a little sweetness to it.

Also: write up a list of the reasons why you want to lose weight. Rank them in order of importance. Print it out and keep it handy.

Before you allow yourself an unplanned snack, read through your list and then decide if you still want to eat. Even if you do, it might help you choose a healthier snack.

I plan for a late afternoon snack because it's too long between lunch and dinner. And generally a small snack before bed because I can't fall asleep if my stomach is growling.

Actually, the action of chewing gum decreases hunger. Works the same way that chew chew chewing your food helps you get full faster...the more you chew, the less hungry you get. The artificial sweetener thing...that's a theory, and if you are finding that chewing sugar free gum makes you more hungry, I guess you can just stop doing it!

As for getting stuck in your stoma, my doc said gum is fine as long as you don't swallow it. LOL. It could happen inadvertently, but I haven't swallowed a piece of gum since I was a kid, so I chance it. :thumbup: I'm not that tight anyway, so I doubt it would really get stuck in me, but if you are pretty tight it sure could.

Chewing gum helps me avoid snacking. So does getting some exercise, drinking tea or Water, or getting engrossed in a book or magazine. When I'm not as busy as I have been lately, I find crafts that use my hands, too, like knitting or beadwork or sewing. But I haven't had much time for it since I started school. Oh yeah, and brushing my teeth usually works too.