candytime

I've been surprised that sticking to 1000 - 1200 calories hasn't been harder. Recording and looking up nutritional information on everything I eat has been time consuming, but it makes me more aware of everything I'm putting into my mouth...as well as all the stuff I used to put into it.

One of the things I'm having the hardest time with is a thing I refer to as candytime. About 3 in the afternoon, right about the time lunch starts to wear off, I get a craving for something sweet. It's not just a snack, and it's not really because I'm hungry...it's a motivator to get through those last 2 hours of work, and a needed part of the routine.

At any rate, it's an old habit, and I'm finding it hard to let it go. Yesterday, I went ahead and did candytime, but it wasted a good 280 calories that could have been eaten for dinner. I thought that maybe vegetables would do it--sugar snap peas, or carrots, both of which have about 40 calories per serving... But I don't think it's going to work that way.

I need to find something sweet that will satisfy that emotional need, but will not waste much of my calorie allotment. Fruit might work, or maybe jello. Or I suppose I could take up smoking (kidding!).

Any suggestions?