I want to be honest with you, I used to have a horrible habit of snacking while I am cooking.

As I was preparing dinner for my kids one night, I pulled out a bag of pretzels and started mindlessly munching.

I decided I need to figure out how I can stop this habit that not only ruins my dinner appetite but also adds unwanted calories.

So, I came up with a few strategies that I have found helpful.

One thing I often do if I want to stop snacking of any kind is to brush my teeth, put on whitening strips or chew gum. It not only prevents you from snacking but also makes your teeth better!

If you can’t avoid eating while cooking completely you can just choose your snacks wisely. One thought is to have just one very purposeful snack set out for dinnertime prep. You can opt for salad, berries or some celery with hummus.
A good rule is to have only vegetables/leafy greens for such snacks. This way you won’t consume many calories as vegetables full of water and fiber. Besides, green veggies are known to reduce cravings.

And remember, there are times when you think you are hungry when you are not. One of the most common is when you are dehydrated. So, watch your water intake and create a habit of drinking when you want to snack. Most of the time it works just amazing!