Try turning your attention to what it feels like to have these thoughts. Rather than engage with the content of those thoughts, try stepping back slightly and really looking at the thoughts and seeing that they are merely thoughts. There is a difference between investigating, in a curious way, the nature and automaticity of your thoughts vs getting wrapped up in the content of those thoughts.
I find that I can go long periods lost in thought without ever realizing that I am thinking. There is instant relief to be able to just know that you are thinking – even if the content of those thoughts is disturbing. And witnessing the entire process and its effects on my emotional and physical state seems to immediately loosen the thoughts’ grip.
Sometimes distraction works, and this is all I need. But I find more often lately that distraction is a temporary solution that comes with its own problems.
Anyway, it seems that you have a good grasp on the situation. You “can’t do anything about this” right now, yet you are “consumed” by these thoughts. You might find that turning towards your experience of feeling this way (again, without entertaining the contents of these hungry consumers) provides some relief – and insight into the nature of your mind.