Isn’t November Nice?
It’s another lovely day in Boston! It feels more like a late-September day than an early-November day, but I’ll take it. My friend, Blain, and I took advantage of the beautiful weather and took a nice, leisurely walk around the Longwood area. I snapped this photo on our way back to work– check out the vibrant foliage! 
On our walk, we got side-tracked by Starbucks (hey, it happens). We popped inside and ordered a couple of afternoon pick-me-ups. I ordered an eggnog misto. (I’m surprised that Starbucks has eggnog already!)
An eggnog misto is half eggnog and half coffee. I love, love, love eggnog, but I can’t drink too much of it. It upsets my stomach… plus, I don’t want all of those calories and fat. An eggnog misto reduces that heavy eggnog feeling that you get in your stomach after drinking it, while also cutting some calories. The eggnog-coffee combo is very delicious too! It’s one of my favorite holiday treats!
Lunch was a spinach salad with dried cranberries and feta. Simple, but scrumptious!
Part II of lunch was 3/4 cup of cottage cheese with cantaloupe chunks. Cottage cheese does an awesome job of filling me up! 
Lunch concluded with a pumpkin-ginger muffin, which was good, but losing its freshness and deliciousness. I guess, I’d much rather enjoy a warm pumpkin-ginger muffin with melty Smart Balance on it. Mmmmmm… heaven. 
And… I just ate this Kit Kat 2 minutes ago. I don’t know how it happened!? Frickin’ Halloween candy!
Mindless Eating
I am soooo guilty of mindless eating at times. Seriously, how did that Kit Kat make its way into my mouth?! I don’t even realize it’s happening sometimes, especially when I am distracted and stressed by work. Meh. Aren’t we supposed to stop eating when we sense a feeling of fullness? Oddly enough, this doesn’t easily happen for me. I have days where I just snack on everything in sight, but I’m not really hungry. I know I don’t need more calories, but I eat anyways… which I assume is because of a lack of balanced meals and snacks.
“Fullness” seems to be a combination of things for me– the taste, type, and variety of the food, the “chew,” the amount of time I have been eating, how much flavor I taste, a visual cue of the amount of food on my plate, my emotional state and mood, etc. It’s very interesting how all of these things interact to tell me that I am no longer hungry. How do you know when you should stop eating?
P.S. I just ate a packet of instant oatmeal (4:00 pm). It wasn’t mindless, but I’m a bottomless pit today!
Posted by: Tina 40 comments
Posted in: Uncategorized
Tags: cottage cheese, feta, spinach
on Nov 5th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
It’s 70°F here today – craziness!! At least the fall foliage is gorgeous (and seasonal, haha
).
Love that muffin!! Yum!!
Good luck with the rest of your day!!
on Nov 5th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Must go try the eggnog misto pronto!
I wish I had better tactics….. I would love to hear what others do to stop mindless eating!
I am very guilty of mindless eating too…esp when I’m bored. I just need to have something to do in my hands and mouth. How do I know when to stop eating…? Good question. Usually I stop when I feel sugar high!! haha. SOOOO bad I know!
on Nov 5th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
I agree! There are SO many contributing factors to how you perceive your own STOP EATING SIGNALS. For me, it’s definitely listening to my body. For example, I know that I cannot go to sleep unless I’ve eaten something. I have to eat very close to when I go to sleep or I’ll wake up starving in the middle of the night which happens pretty frequently, anyway. I think it’s also WHAT I’m eating, if it’s really WHAT I WANT, etc. Recently, it’s been doing very well, although I often have to say to myself, How am I feeling right now… Also, if I feel low-energy / low blood sugar I know it’s time to eat. Dehydration gets tricky too! Ack!
on Nov 5th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
I didn’t even know eggnog mistos existed! Thanks for the heads up, sounds like a great option. Often I find straight eggnog a bit overpowering so this sounds like a way to get into the holiday spirit.
Great question: It’s difficult for me because I don’t really get strong hunger or fullness signals. It’s why I still feel like I need to keep a rough calorie/portion estimate in my head to make sure . I heard a system that I thought sounded like a really good idea once. Eat until you are just starting to feel full and then wait 15 minutes. The mind doesn’t start to perceive fullness until 20 minutes After it’s started digesting (that you Nutrition Certification!) so that may be a contributing factor. Also, if it’s just mindless, try having a cup of tea first. You get a taste of something sweet and it gives you time to think about whether you really want more food. Check out your food groups- maybe you haven’t gotten enough of a particular nutrient that day and it’s throwing you out of whack. Do you take a multi-vitamin? Okay, enough procrastinating for me. Good luck with the rest of your day- autumn is SO lovely!
on Nov 5th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
I think ever since I have started recovery, i have to admit i have a KEEN sense of fullness. i have heard that you should stop eating when you are full, but my tummy is so sensitive ( i panic at the first pang of hunger) that i NOW realize i need to force down 1/4 more of my plate when i realize i am full becuase usually i end up hungry 30 mins. later. i have a post of normal eating on my blog today, check it out! i am also a big person for SATISFACTION-a bar is not nearly as satisfying as yogurt with fresh fruit where i can pick and chew, stir, not just unwrap and shove down, ya know?!!
on Nov 5th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Mindless munching is my main problem. I think a lot of it has to do with what I’m eating. If I eat something more savory for lunch that has a few parts to it then I don’t have any cravings and am find until dinner. If I eat something like pb&j with a piece of fruit then I will inevitably crave salt. Today I’m craving sweets and all this Halloween candy does not help!
I guess I just try to focus. I drink lots of water and sip tea when I feel the need to munch mindlessly. It’s not helping today but most days it does. I track it in a journal so that I can see what I’m eating on days when I munch munch munch. I find that recognizing the pattern helps.
on Nov 5th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Ah, Boston in the Fall!!!
on Nov 5th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Oh, I have a huge problem with this. I always eat past being full and then 10 minutes later feel TOO full and like crap. I am working on listening to my body’s signals more but it’s not easy.
on Nov 5th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Hey Tina,
I made the TJ’s pumpkin bread-muffins using half the oil last night, but I added 1/3 cup pumpkin, took them out after 40 minutes, and they were perfect! Thanks for the good idea.
Sometimes I get bummed when I find myself eating mindlessley… but I try to remember the 80-20 rule of good eating, and I try to take it a little esaier on myself!
on Nov 5th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
I have a lot of trouble with mindless eating – especially since I live in a small studio apartment where the kitchen is literally 5 feet from my bed! Right after a grocery trip, I am so excited about my new buys that I have SO much trouble realizing when I’m full/satisfied. I definitely tend to go for foods that take longer to eat and I try to remove myself from the surroundings or make a cup of tea. Other suggestions would be helpful!!
on Nov 5th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Don’t worry, Tina, it happens to everyone! Ever since I became extremely interested in nutrition (in fact, I’m going for my RD!), I’ve gotten a lot better at listening to my own body cues. However, I’m a BIG TIME snacker — if I don’t eat every 3 hours, I start getting really cranky. The only way for me to truly stop my mindless munching is to (a) brush my teeth, or (b) chew minty gum. That way, I’m only eating ONE snack or meal every three hours. Also, I guzzle water like a parched desert.
Good luck!
on Nov 5th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Funny this topic came up today. I was the biggest mindless muncher last night! It was crazy. I think it was all of the election stress. Either that, or I haven’t been eating enough lately and it finally caught up with me. That happens from time to time. I have Celiac’s Disease and I travel for a living. I often find it hard to get the calories my body needs every day, or at least a healthy balance of fats. My diet tends to be practically fat free when I travel. As a result, when gluten free food is readily available my body tends to go into starvation mode and I have trouble stopping!
on Nov 5th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
My problem is that when I feel stressed, I often think I am hungry or I think I feel hungry and it is definitely confusing. Plus, I really need to sit and eat a meal in a focused manner. If I eat a little here and a little there, I don’t feel satisfied.
on Nov 5th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
i find then when im stressed i eat without even realizing i am eating. this only happens at my desk.
my tips:
-bring some crunchy healthy snacks for those moments
-hide the candy
-THINK, before you eat
but i dont know that id take my advice as it seems to not be working too well over here in rhodey/
on Nov 5th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
I love this weather, too bad it won’t last.
I eat when I’m bored and when I’m stressed. It’s even worse now that I’ve been unemployed.
I’ve found that if I put a time limit on when to stop eataing that sometimes helps, or else I have to stop and think is this candy or whatever really worth it? I was managing it well when I losing weight, but it’s a lot harder in the maintaining stage.
on Nov 5th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Eggnog + coffee sounds great!
It’s hard for me to stop mindless eating too. When I’m bored I eat and I have no idea why. Sometimes if I plan out specific times to eat that helps. Or always having a drink nearby like hot tea.
on Nov 5th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Chewing gum helps me not mindlessly eat as much since you can’t eat anything else while you’re chewing gum. Also sometimes I feel full but still feel like I want to chew, so that I also use gum for. I’m a big gum addict though so I’m working on this as well since I’ll usually chew about a pack of sugarfree gum a day, sometimes more :-X But I figure, that 70-100 calories could be a LOT worse if I were to keep eating food to satisfy my “chewing” craving. I also lately have been making note of the time when I finish my meal and will not allow myself to eat something for the next 3 hours, unless I’m completely starving or something. Hope this helps, but don’t worry everyone has days like this. (Today is actually a snacky day for me as well and I can’t seem to feel full– I hate days like this though!)
on Nov 5th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
I, unfortunately, usually don’t. I just try to do my best and remember how full I feel when I don’t stop at the right time.
on Nov 5th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
Ashley C.,
Yep, I’m having a can’t seem to feel full day too. Blah.
on Nov 5th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Trident tropical gum is great for chewiness and hunger cravings- it lasts forever. Also, dark chocolate peppermint altoids give out a slight sweetness and chew factor.
on Nov 5th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
I’ve got to try that eggnog misto! Sounds delicious!
I tend to mindless eat when I’m either really bored or really stressed out. I think it’s pretty normal. I try to ask myself, do you really need this? Sometimes this works and most of the time it doesn’t. I’m still working on it! haha!
on Nov 5th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
oh YUM I need to try the eggnog miso!! The pumpkin spice latte is soooo great too
on Nov 5th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Ugh I have the same problem!
on Nov 5th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
The weather right now is definitely my favourite of the entire year. It’s so lovely and pretty and perfect perfect.
Eggnog misto sounds delicious! I could go for some eggnog right about now. Preferably a lighter version though …. haha
Your description of your mindless eating is pretty much EXACTLY what I do. Right down to your “fullness”. It drives me crazy. A full feeling in my stomach often just isn’t an adequate indicator of “fullness” for me because I often can’t seem to stop until I’m “satisfied”. Which is often totally separate from full. Such a pain in the butt.
on Nov 5th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
I mindless eat too. Especially when studing/doing school work/on the computer. If I keep my mouth busy by chewing gum or drinking water, I dont do it. I also am a big prtion controller. I normally only take what I want and hid the rest or leave the room.
I cue into hunger by if I feel a little hungary I draink some water and wait 15 minutes. If I am still hungary I get a portioned snack (ex: I will weigh 1oz of crackers and put it on a napkin, put the rest away, and leave the kitchen area. Its a big mind game for me. Ill eats what there.
Sweets is hard for me to feel full. I could eat so many sweets with no full cues. Its not till I see the wrappers. Food I feel a slight pressure on my upper stomach.
on Nov 5th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
I never thought about having an eggnog misto! Great idea! Thanks!!
on Nov 5th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
I totally wish i had some fall foliage like that…there is none here in socal in the beach cities…so jealous!
and i totally know what you mean about the mindless eating; i usually have a hankering when it’s going to happen so i make sure to either have a) some tea ready or b) some gum handy…
on Nov 5th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
I did not even know that Starbucks offered an eggnog misto! That is interesting because I feel the same way about eggnog as you…it kind of upsets my tummy and I can’t drink a big glass of it. I may have to try it tomorrow before class
Eh, mindless eating. It happens, ya know? I am recovering from an eating disorder and I am always eating now…so to me eating as much I am now kind of feels like mindless eating to me. Even though I know it is not, I am just eating so much more than I used to. If that makes any sense? Have a good night!
on Nov 5th, 2008 at 11:06 pm
I just posted about this today!! What I’m finally trying to get back to is remembering how good food makes me feel good and gives me fuel for great runs, etc…where as the chocolate very very momentarily tastes good but then gives me mood swings and overall isn’t a long term enjoyment. That being said, I’m not swearing off the sugar but I am going to try to think it through before finding another piece in my mouth.
on Nov 5th, 2008 at 11:29 pm
Have you tried Silk’s soy nog? It’s a lot lighter than eggnog but still tastes really good! I have a friend who loves eggnog but feels sick from it, so she always drinks the Silk nog as a subsitute! I’m vegan so I don’t drink the real eggnog either, but I am craving an eggnog chai from Starbucks . . . I’m thinking about just bringing some Silk nog in and seeing if they’ll help me out! I used to work there, so I’m hoping if I go to my old store they might help me out
on Nov 5th, 2008 at 11:55 pm
How do I know when I should stop eating and when I actually stop are, unfortunately, sometimes two different things. I think kind of like you explained, it’s more about just whether I’ve physically had enough. It’s about the experience. Sometimes if I have something sweet (even one of those Adora’s calcium chocolates), I feel “finished.” I guess I don’t have a very good answer! It’s hard!
on Nov 6th, 2008 at 12:44 am
Oh dear, mindless eating. For me, it’s being bored and mostly at night. I’ve gotten in much better “control” of myself for the most part, but later at night when I’m not as busy with work and such…..I inevitably want to snack. Working on it. Hate that I have to.
K
on Nov 6th, 2008 at 12:51 am
owww eggnog misto? I will order this! Josh isn’t an eggnog fan so it will be a fun way for me to get some eggnog in without having a full container in the house!
on Nov 6th, 2008 at 1:02 am
yay eggnog! was so excited to get the holiday cup yesterday, unaware of the holiday flavors out now, too. tis the season eh?
mindless eating is by far by weakness. in fact i just ate 3 coconut-cookie bars while reading blogs. i’m never really ‘full’ w/ the food i buy and eat, so anything lying around is bound to find its way into my mouth, especially at night. during the day i chew a crazy amount of gum, but at night, by jaw hurts, and my tummy wants chocolate and PB.
on Nov 6th, 2008 at 8:20 am
Looks like you did have a beautiful day! We had one too. Too bad I am couped in my office all day WITHOUT windows.
We never know what the weather is like. Oh well!
What a great question! I have a problem with being full, knowing I am full and continue to eat. It seems like I always have room for one more bite. Then another, then another. Sometimes it’s hard for me to stop eating but I have to remember that while I am enjoying it at this very moment, 20 mintues, even 10 or 5 from that point I wont. Like being so full you can’t even walk. This is my biggest battle with food. I use to not know when to stop. I wouldn’t pay attention to my body. It was always worse in restaurants b/c they give huge portions and I would think I had to eat it all b/c it was there infront of me and I didn’t want to be wasteful. Another great suggestion might be to remove yourself from the food or remove the food. Like at get together’s if there is food out and I am done for the night I might go sit in the other room. Out of sight out of mind. I know what you mean by being a bottomless pit. I have had many days like that and its hard and stressful but try and talk yourself through it.
Hope this made sense
Have a wonderful day!
on Nov 6th, 2008 at 10:07 am
Do you know by any chance how many calories would be in the eggnog misto compared to the eggnog latte? Thanks!
on Nov 6th, 2008 at 10:11 am
Amanda,
I’m not sure how many calories it has just because it’s not a “standard” Starbucks beverage. However, a good estimate would be half the calories of their eggnog latte. The misto is half eggnog and half drip coffee, which basically has no calories. Hope this helps.
on Nov 6th, 2008 at 10:29 am
Halloween candy is going to be the death of me this year! I completely understand what you mean with that kitkat!
on Nov 6th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
I struggle with mindless eating more at work than anything else. When I’m at home, mindless eating isn’t really a problem. I just try to be aware of that and eat on a schedule at work. Between work treats, stress, boredom, etc., work is an issue!
on Nov 6th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
I made the muffins and they are really good! Thanks for posting the recipe. I like muffins that are fresh much better as well. I often freeze half of the muffins and reheat them. This is the information I found on bhg.com
You can enjoy your muffins or quick-bread loaves later if you follow our handy guide.
To store muffins and quick breads, place them in a plastic bag, seal, and store at room temperature for up to 3 days.
To freeze muffins and quick-bread loaves, wrap them tightly in heavy foil or place them in freezer bags, and freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, wrap frozen muffins or loaves in heavy foil. Heat in a 300 degree F oven for 12 to 15 minutes for 1-�-inch muffins and 15 to 18 minutes for 2-�-inch muffins
Have a great day!