We all have trigger foods, but binging on them uncontrollably is brought on by emotional triggers - not the food itself. So giving up sweets entirely, for example, doesn't address the real problem of why you are craving the sugar in the first place. Most of us use food to numb us or lift our moods. Certain kinds of foods do that quite effectively, which is why it is so hard to stop eating them. And actually, it is much easier to keep ourselves away from the trigger food rather than deal with the emotions and find other less self destructive ways to deal with them.
One thing that I do is practice eating a treat when I am in control - having one or two bites, then putting it down or throwing it away. I can only do this when I am in a good mood and not overly hungry. This is important because when I am confronted with these treats at other times, I can focus on the experience I've had being able to only eat a small amount and stay in control. Typically we tend to focus on the times when we ate the entire plate of cookies, instead of just one. We feel as though we have no power or control over the food, and our behavior becomes a product of self fulfilling prophecy. Slowly and gradually it is possible to regain that control.
Hibiscus...eating when Im happy...Im not sure if I have any control when Im happy either. Happy laughing over dessert...giggling over latta and carrot cakes..this is with friends that is,,,doing this by myself well,,,is just down right creepy...lol
But seriously,,,Im feeling so out of control right now,,,and just hating it. Im bloated,,,cranky and still eating more. I need to get some shackles and handcuffs,,,a muzzle.
I came home and thought,,,drink a glass of milk,,,I hadn't had dairy. Normally i have cereal each morning. Anyways took the dog for a walk instead of crashing infront of the tv with food. Walked,,,for about 20 minutes and came home and well crashed infront of the tv with crackers adn butter. *sigh Should of had an orange,,,veggies..but no,,,brad like substance and butter.
tomorrow I have to work extra hours so no dog walking but I will be away from the fridge. and its WI day tomorrow,,,so not looking forward to that
Hang in there Angie! I know how you feel. I have major PMS this week, so I plan for a treat each night. Tonight it was microwave popcorn with real butter...I'm hard on myself and feel bad about it, even though I stayed in my calorie range. I think you have to allow yourself to enjoy food, even when you know you are using it for emotional reasons. But the key for me, is to stay conscious and not let it get out of control. Writing everything down in my food diary helps me keep that control. I also work hard on setting limits on the eating in front of the TV...I allowed myself the bag of popcorn, but made sure I stopped when it was gone...I can see from my food diary that I've had enough calories and nutrients so I know I'm not hungry. Even though the PMS is making me crave more, I'm making the choice to not allow that. I think I'll take a hot bubble bath now.
I think we all need to work on not being so hard on ourselves too. When I eat something like buttered popcorn, I feel bad...even when it's controlled and within my calorie range. It's like "a person who wants to lose weight shouldn't be eating butter." This kind of thinking has always been my downfall - pushing me to just eat without thinking about it, so I don't feel bad. Anyway, sorry to ramble...just don't get down on yourself. This is a really hard thing to overcome, and just your awareness is an important step in making the changes you need to.
My trigger is peanut butter. I can make a sandwich just loaded with it. I was OP today with 2 peanut butter sandwiches. I wish I could get it out of the hosue but my husband eats it.
My trigger is peanut butter. I can make a sandwich just loaded with it. I was OP today with 2 peanut butter sandwiches. I wish I could get it out of the hosue but my husband eats it.
PB is actually very healthy - can you find a way to incorporate PB sandwiches into your daily plan?
I don't have any certain trigger foods. I'm a seafood eater...I see food and I eat it. Anything tempts me, usually though it's fast food because it's so easy to swing by the drive-through on the way home.
7-layer dip is my downfall.... you know, the one with refried beans, sour cream, tomatoes, avocado, olives, cheddar, green onions.... and you eat it with chips.... oof!
i forgot alcohol. If I go out with my friends and have more then a drink or two, I am ravenous the next day. And it's not like I crave fruits and veggies. It makes me want, salty, fatty stuff.
My trigger foods change as the month goes on. (I do know the correlation) Sometimes my triggers are salty, crunchy things like puffy cheetos or potato chips. Other times it is creamy and soothing things like shakes for example egg nog shakes.
It depends, really. Sometimes I crave sour candy like Sour Patch, other times I need sweet treats, like ice cream. Also, chips and cheese...oh my God, I surrender to the dips and everything. Fitday showed me that the majority of the foods I eat are carbs. No surprise there!
I wish I could get the ice cream out of the house, but it's hard when the other seven people in your family love that and junk food. GAH. And we go to a restaurant like every week and I try to order something healthy, and they say, "Oh come on, give yourself a break." Uh, we do this every week? HELLO.
And then I try to ask my mother or someone to make healthy recipes I find, but we never have the ingredients and something is always happening and there's a party every week with pizza and fatty junk that I'M GOING CRAZY!!!!
