Addicted to ordering food

[UberEatsAddict]

Had to name change as this is really embarrassing to admit. Posting here for traffic too.

I’ve realised that I’m addicted to ordering food and I don’t know how to stop. For context, I have two small children that both have disabilities. I’ve always been a comfort eater but since having my youngest, food is my go too daily. If I have a stressful day with the children (or even at work), the first thing on my mind is ‘right, what am I going to order tonight.’

I don’t smoke and don’t drink. Don’t take drugs either but I really do believe that I’m addicted to fast food and being able to have a full meal delivered with just a few clicks of a button. I do the food shop, I meal prep so that the children always eat healthy meals. Today, I was meant to have chicken, rice with prawns and salad for dinner but I know that I’ll order something as I’m feeling really anxious atm.

I’ve been on antidepressants since my youngest was 3/4 months old and that’s when I realised an increase in my eating. I have an upcoming appointment with the local Eating Disorder clinic in the New Year so hopefully progress can be made eventually. In the meantime, does anyone have any tips or has anyone been able to get a grip and stop spending money on food?! I know there’s bigger issues out there in the world but I’m so sick of this

You won't kick this unless you replace it. You need to work out what it's giving you and the meet the need in a different way.

Have a look on YouTube at some of the conditions inside kitchens that people order takeaways from -

%3D%3D

'I rarely order takeaways anymore after watching these. Just knowing what is allowed to stay open is sickening.'

Thank you so much guys, I’m not ignoring peoples comments.

It’s been an exhausting day and to no surprise, I ordered something to eat quickly for dinner. I’m now in bed and have work tomorrow which is rubbish. There’s been a lot of suggestions on here and hopefully I can come back tomorrow and respond to some people individually. If not, thank you, I really appreciate your help!

Even with an Uber One subscription, they still charge at least £1.10 per order in 'charges' plus the fact that the prices are farrrr higher

This sounds really hard, I'm sorry. I'm glad you'll be working with professionals in the new year. It sounds like you're putting so much energy into caring for others, and have very little in the tank left to care for yourself. In these situations, food is one of the quickest fixes there is to give ourselves that sense of caring for ourselves, even if it is damaging in the long run. In the meantime, before you begin your work with the clinic, some things that might help:

• Counting up all the money you save and putting it towards something you really want, be it a holiday or a gorgeous new coat or whatever. Or maybe even smaller things, so you can treat yourself weekly, and get that hit more regularly. A beautiful new lipstick or scented candle, some lovely new pyjamas - all easily afforded with the savings from a few days' takeaway!

• Finding other things that scratch the "treat myself" itch. What else might give you that hit? Could it be treating yourself to really gorgeous bath salts and body care products and having a nightly bath, if you have a tub? Do you enjoy gaming, and could have an hour of that every night if your caring patterns allow? These are just guesses, so probably not right, but there will be something else out there that gives you that hit of "me time/treat time" that are less damaging to your wallet and health. Have a think and experiment!

Oh also you could try a meal kit service like Gousto. I find it amazing as it takes all the things I find stressful out of cooking (meal planning and shopping, figuring out what ingredients to substitute when inevitably something crucial is out of stock etc) and I actually really, really enjoy the 30 mins or so of simple cooking time, with a great podcast or audio book playing. It's a really nice moment of "me time". The meals are super varied and interesting, so I genuinely look forward to "ooh, what's for dinner tonight", and you even still get the fun of ordering off an app - just for the week ahead, instead of every night.

If you just ordered a meal kit box for you, the minimum portion size is 2 people per recipe, so if it's just for you, you could save the second portion for lunch the next day and make the next day easier too. It works out at about £40 a week for 3 recipes each of 2 portions.

Oh for God's sake! It's NOT an addiction. It's a bad habit.

Just take steps to limit it and gradually cut down till it's just a treat.

Addiction! I'm sorry, OP, but really - talk about absolving yourself of any personal responsibility.

I have the same issue. In December 2020 I added up the costs of what I spent on just eat & Deliveroo over the year and it was over £2k. I immediately deleted the apps and swore to quit... lasted until February.

This year I have been better, easy microwave meals and supernoodles have helped. (Not healthy but good on days where I'm too tired to cook and would usually just order something)

Maybe allow yourself 2 takeaways a week and try to cook the rest. You're not alone though, life is hard and ordering in food is easy and enjoyable. It doesn't make you a bad person.

Go vegan and cut down your options by 10,000%.

I have a rule that any takeaway in my house has to be fetched in person; we don't phone or use apps. So we don't have them very often, but when we do, we appreciate them. Would a similar rule work for you?

I struggle with this too. I order takeaway every day and I am over 20 stone! I have no idea how to fix the issue myself (I have tried most of the ideas suggested on here myself and can’t seem to shake it). I just wanted to say you’re not alone with this and good luck with the help you are getting next year. I hope you find something that works for you!