Do you mindlessly snack when cooking?
This email came in from a meal plan user:
"I was wondering if you have any tips on how to decrease mindless eating when cooking or doing meal prep? I find I am always snacking or tasting what I am cooking. It is healthy food, but extra calories. Also snacking as I am putting food away."
As any chef will tell ya: It's important to taste when you're cooking, but tasting and snacking aren't the same.
I used to be horrible about eating and snacking when I was cooking. It wasn't uncommon for me to eat and snack so much while preparing a meal that by the time the meal was on the table, I was mostly full. I curbed my habit two ways: First, I started keeping a food journal. I made myself write down every taste. Every extra grape I tossed into my mouth. This made me painfully aware of what I was doing. We improve what we measure and when you have to write it down, you become more aware and do it less.
Second, I only grab the amount of an ingredient I need, immediately putting all the excess away. Gone are the days where I pull out the entire box of raisins and leave it on the counter while cooking (where my hand finds it's way in). I get out my raisins (or whatever ingredient I'm using), measure what I need before cooking, then put the raisins away. About the only thing I'll leave out is celery. If I must munch, well then I can munch on some celery ;) Not keeping all the ingredients out has really helped.
Over time, I've slowly gotten out of the habit of eating while cooking. I also stopped having a second spoonful or two after dinner, when putting my leftovers away, thanks to this practice.
Same goes for not snacking when measuring out my snacks. One of the ways I helped break that habit was by measuring out my snacks first thing in the morning when I got up. I just couldn't pop a baby carrot into my mouth before I had my oatmeal and brushed my teeth :)
Lastly, one of my clients chews gum while she cooks. I bet that would work too!
Cooking only one day a week with the meal plans also puts you at a less risk of eating-while-cooking temptation!