new and like sweets

[mom247]

hi, I just joined now, I try to cook healthy foods in my house but I cant control my cravings for chips and sweets, also I don't get time to exercise because from the time I come back from work I am busy with the kids and cooking , advise please

[Caz28]

Hi, you can have a few chips from time to time but reduce the portion size and don't fry them, substitute fruit or a few nuts and dried fruit for the sweets. Maybe all the family could go out for a long walk after you've eaten? I've heard quite a few people are enjoying the Pokemon go app as a family, it gets the kids interested.,

[mom247 in reply to Caz28]

thanks Caz will try that

[DartmoorDumpling]

Choose the least naughty sweets (check the calories on the packet) and try and ration them to one treat daily? Make chips in the oven with sweet potatoes, and try and "dry fry" them using a spray oil or as little oil as possible. Start the day with poached eggs or porridge to hold you until lunch time, make a healthy salad for lunch and have a mug of vegetable soup when you get in the keep you feeling full until dinner time.

Buy the children's treats which are your least favourite biscuits and crisps, so you are not tempted to dip into them. A healthy eating plan is probably more important than exercise, but maybe you can take the children swimming or cycling to add some activity in to your week?

[mom247 in reply to DartmoorDumpling]

Dart thanks for your response however I have a problem with the porridge when I eat it within 30 minutes I'm hungry as if I never ate

[DartmoorDumpling]

Try a high protein breakfast perhaps? Two poached eggs on a slice of toast with a banana mid-morning?

Some people like to "graze" or eat small frequent meals. If this is you, look at having a selection of low calorie snacks available and beat the hungries by forward planning. Ideas such as little bags of seeds and dried fruit, a tub of chopped up nectarines, a mug of soup, a couple of Ryvitas (they do fruity ones which are good to crunch). It is all about some careful shopping and spreading your calories through the day.

Try and keep busy with activities with the children to keep your mind off snacking where possible; teach them how to cook a healthy quiche for example - they can have a lot of fun playing with pastry and rolling pins if they are young, and you can eat the middle and donate the crust to the family pet if you have one! I do appreciate it is never easy with a young family - I put a lot of my weight on when living with my teenage children - very stressful time! They are now both in their 30's thank goodness....

[mom247]

Dart I will try but most of the time I'm at work that is where I eat all of this and don't eat real food however now I will try the snaks as you mentioned

[Ladyking]

Greek or Turkish yogurt is great at keeping you full for a breakfast choice with fruits berries and the like or stewed plums apples with a little stevia for sweetness.. Boiled eggs too! Chips in the oven with spray oils are great and big wedges can be done like this too! so soon you won't feel like you are missing out!