Eat Your Snack from a Small Bowl, NOT from the Box or Bag


My Eat Smart tip about not eating snacks straight from the package appeared on the EatingWell.com website recently in an article by Lainey Younkin entitled 5 Things You Should Never Do After 5 P.M. If You're Trying to Lose Weight, According to a Dietitian.

It was tip #2 and it appeared this way:

Eating straight out of the bag 
"Don't snack straight out of the bag or box," says Ruth Houston, author of the upcoming book Eat Smart and Lose Weight: Scientifically Proven Ways to Lose Weight without Diets or Exercise
. "You risk losing track of how much you've eaten. Measure out one portion for yourself (maybe two). And put the box or bag away and let that be it."

We've all been there: 

Sitting in front of the TV, mindlessly munching away, you plunge your hand in the bag (or box) for more, only to find it empty.  

And you’re shocked to realize you ate the whole thing.

That’s why I discourage snacking on potato chips, cookies, and other munchies right out of the box or bag.  It’s easy to lose track of how much you're eating.

Don’t let your Netflix binge turn into a food binge too. If you're watching your weight, this is something you can't afford to do.

Here’s what I recommend.

  • ·         Instead of eating straight from the package, take out one serving and put it in a small bowl, (Or on a napkin or a small plate.)
  • ·         Don’t even take one bite until you have closed the package and put it away.
  • ·         Do not leave the bag or box sitting on the kitchen counter where you can easily help yourself to more.
  • ·         Leave the kitchen and enjoy your snack in another room where you won’t be tempted to go back for seconds. 

These tips are taken from the chapter on Binge Prevention in my upcoming book Eat Smart and Lose Weight: Scientifically Proven Ways to Lose Weight without Diets or Exercise.

Which contains over 300 research-backed tips and tricks for losing weight without going on a diet, counting calories, or giving up your favorite foods.