One reason people have difficulty sticking to a diet is that they’ve developed a habit of eating when their bored. In fact sometimes the feeling of boredom is mistaken for hunger. To help manage the boredom munchies:

1. Make sure you’re actually hungry. Hunger is a physical feeling, not an emotional one. If you don’t have the physical feelings of hunger (empty stomach, hunger pangs), try chewing gum or sucking on a sugar-free hard candy. It will keep your mouth happy without adding too many calories.
2. Get busy. If you’re bored, do something. Taking your mind off your “hunger” is the best way to keep from eating. If you’re watching tv and feeling hungry, keep the hands busy with laundry or have a glass of water or other low calorie drink.
3. Eat something healthy. If you must eat, make a healthy choice such as fruits or vegetables.

Keeping a written food log has long been known to help dieters make sure they’re not over doing it, but it turns out a photo log can have the same effect. According to a University of Wisconsin at Madison researchers, dieters who took pictures of their meals right before they ate them made leaner, healthier food choices. You can do the same. In fact, you make it social by using your Smartphone to share your meals with other dieters online by forming your own online diet support group.