Junk food addict

[JustLifeOnEarth]

Sorry if this is in the wrong category but it’s not about weight loss.
I’ve been alcohol free getting on for 10 years. All that time I’ve been trying to kick the junk food habit. One time I went 6 months free—thought “I’ve got this now,” then one mouthful and back to square one. The best I can manage at the moment is a couple of days.
I know it isn’t in the same league as alcohol, but it’s is still harming my physical and mental health. Is there anyone who knows what I’m on about? Or should I just forget about it and be grateful I am no longer drinking?(I am so grateful).

Another parsnip lover here! Food of the gods 😎

I can think of a few more strategies for enhancing the flavours of vegetables, apart from my go-to additions of lemon juice, ginger, herbs, balsamic vinegar etc (see my PPs).

Tahini, diluted with water and lemon juice and a bit of chili sauce
Yoghurt diluted with water, with a bit of garlic and chili sauce
Yoghurt diluted with water plus a teaspoon of curry paste (Indian or Thai)
Asian dressing of soy sauce, ginger, fish sauce and chili sauce
Hoisin sauce diluted with water plus a little chili sauce
Pesto - basil, garlic, lemon zest/juice, nuts, EVOO, chili sauce (I like chili...)

You could add any of the above to steamed, stirfried or roasted vegetables. Mashed cauliflower with pesto is delicious.

But at the end of the day it is a question of awakening and reeducating your taste buds.

I’m 2 weeks in! Diet Coke is in the past and I’ve significantly improved what I eat. I could make better choices sometimes but it’s so brilliant not to be eating in an out of control way and not being in that cycle of shame and food anxiety.

How are the rest of us doing?

You're in a super place, well done. I am doing well and have set myself up well for a v busy day both in work and afterwards, 4 dc activities, MoT for car plus an hour's sport for me. All meals planned etc and will keep my water up. Early night tonight!! All these things are part of me succeeding inbeing sugar free, and still it's sometimes a challenge.

Amazing @ReleaseTheGoats !! 👍🏻 well done! Is there something non food related you can reward yourself with? Do something lovely or buy yourself a little present to celebrate.
I’m doing well thank you. Still avoiding the junk even though I’ve struggled this week with anxiety. This is real progress for me—not using junk to distract.

Inspirational!

@PaminaMozart I completely agree about re-educating the taste buds.
The flavours of whole foods can really be appreciated and enjoyed when I am not eating junk. 😋

Ugh, @JustLifeOnEarth anxiety is awful. Well done for not distracting yourself with junk.

I’ve had such an emotional weekend. A lot going on for me job wise with some upheaval. Also had a meal out last night for a friend’s birthday(another friend baked a massive, beautiful looking cake. I politely declined). Both of these are situations that would normally trigger me.
Still getting through all this without turning to junk. I’m so relieved I am still sticking to whole foods, enjoying eating them and feeling in control.
Thats day 20 done 👍🏻

...sticking to whole foods, enjoying eating them and feeling in control.
That's day 20 done 👍🏻

Feeling in control - and it's been 20 days.

You've conquered the worst!

Hopefully, from now on, it'll mostly be a great journey of discovering more new foods and cuisines of the world 😋

Amazing amidst tough challenges there. Huge well done!

@PaminaMozart @mikado1 thank you for the support!

The Guardian Food section has some great recipes, from people who cook with lots of vegetables and use lots of savoury flavourings - Ottolenghi, Meera Sodha, Rachel Roddy, Nigel Slater......

Today there's this by Rukmini Iyer, which looks very yummy and super easy:

https://www.theguardian.com/food/2024/oct/14/quick-easy-miso-salmon-ginger-noodles-recipe-rukmini-iyer

You're so welcome. I've been there and lots of days, I'm still there. Its not easy and you're doing great. One thing I've noticed in that time is that it's worth noticing both the feeling (often hungry, angry, lonely or tired) but also your behaviour - I always always succumb to sugar while scrolling on my phone. If my battery was dead, I wouldn't be able to inhale so mindlessly.. it would feel a waste. I don't know if that's familiar to anyone? I wouldn't be able to sit over eating with no distraction. So as part of my self care around it all, I have vastly decreased my phone time. It's good to notice these things and bring them to awareness.

Hello junk-ditchers. I've had a bad 10 days or so with very high work stress and yesterday fell off the wagon. Still no Diet Coke but I did eat a 5 pack of cookies. Argh.

I shall climb back on and join you on our continuing mission.

That's part of the path I've found.. good on you for shrugging it off and jumping back on. My group's motto is never give up giving up!

Listening to Robert Lustig on Food Addiction podcast now.

Well done for owning it and getting straight back to business👍🏻

That’s day 25 done. I’m looking forward to the next 25.
I know this is a risky time for me as at around a month of abstinence, I can start to feel like I’ve really achieved, and relax or want to ‘celebrate’. I just need to keep on doing the same thing I’ve been doing, and remember how great it is to wake in the morning and not have that sinking feeling of shame and disappointment after having binged the day before.

You've really done incredibly and yes, stay aware and vigilant! This is a hard won prize and you want to guard it 💪 Knowing of course that if you veer off track, you just hope back on as quickly as you can. Seriously tho, Hats off 👏

Thank you so much ♥️

Hello again. I've been having a tough time and haven't been doing well. Still no Diet Coke - 23 days now - but I've slipped back into a couple of old food habits and need to get a grip again.

I’m sorry things have been tough @ReleaseTheGoats. Well done on keeping away from the Diet Coke! You’ve got this.
As for the old food habits— remember you can post on here if you are craving. It really helps me to write what I’m feeling in order to see it clearly. Or even just say it out loud to yourself. ‘I’m really craving X. I wonder why that is?’ This can take the power out of it and help to move on.

Thanks. That's reminded me how helpful I found writing at the start of this, I should get back into that, articulating feelings and outlining aims made me feel I had more ownership of what was happening.

Yep it often helps.
I’ve had quite a few cravings myself today. Virtually no sleep last night due to car trouble. I’ve really noticed how the cravings have ramped up because I’m tired.
I need to remember to ask myself, ‘Would I pick up a drink now?’ each time my mind suggests junk as a way of numbing the exhaustion.
Early night I think…

Can you find some mindfulness strategies/exercises to help you 'sit with your cravings'? In my experience, if you can put off giving in to cravings for 15-20 minutes, you'll probably have conquered them.

Or do what I do, which is exercising. A couple of minutes of jumping jacks, a 5- minute plank, a 3-minute wall-sit, or a few yoga moves or stretches usually do the trick. Or just going for a walk...

Or eating a carrot, a crisp apple, a really nice tomato or - my current favourite - a few radishes.

Or eating a carrot, a crisp apple, a really nice tomato or - my current favourite - a few radishes.
@PaminaMozart yum😋