[geoblewis]

I'm coming to learn that I am a really suggestible person! Especially when it comes to food.

I am happy that I don't really care for in-between meal snack any longer, but I have been making poor, off-plan choices. A LOT! I plan for a salad with grilled salmon for dinner, but when one of my kids says he wants pizza, I totally cave for that. Last night I went to Walgreens to pick up something, then was going to go home for a light supper. But at the checkout stand, the woman asked, "Would you like some peanuts or chips?" She pointed to some well-placed items right at the stand, and I caved and grabbed a bag of chips. I ate them on the way home because I was hungry and still had my light supper, but the chips put me over budget by 450 calories.

I have to go to the grocery store in a well-fed state. I can't run errands on an empty stomach. I can't even watch TV without having already eaten. I'm so annoyed with myself for being so succeptible to the smells and appearance of food. It's the promise of a pleasurable experience.

But am I even present when I'm eating the food? No. What a waste!

[freelancemomma]

I'm the same way. The other day I was walking on the street and some ColdStone vendors were handing out large chocolate-covered ice-cream bars for free. I was on my way to a dinner party where I knew there would be lots of delicious food, but do you think I could resist a free ice-cream bar?

That's why I've asked my husband and kids to NEVER offer food of any kind to me. They've been pretty good about it.

Freelance

[geoblewis]

Originally Posted by freelancemomma

That's why I've asked my husband and kids to NEVER offer food of any kind to me. They've been pretty good about it.

THIS! YES! Excellent strategy, Freelance!

When my sons want pizza, I have them stick with me while I place the order online so I don't order something for myself, and I tell them to not let me have any. I don't let them offer me anything. When I know we're going out, I tell them what I intend to order ahead of time and ask them to remind me should I "forget". Stupid menus with pictures!

I actually have to do this with some friends too, when we go out together. And there are some people I refuse to go out with any longer because they totally support me over-indulging in all the wrong stuff because they want to as well. They are NOT my real friends any more!

[Missy Krissy]

Oh, I'm very open to suggestion when it comes to food. I practically live for free samples! But I do account for said bites in my food log.

[elvislover324]

I thought free samples don't have calories.

I can be talked into buying anything, esp. if its a 2-for-1 special deal. I'm a bargain shopper, even for crap food at the register!

[Missy Krissy]

Originally Posted by elvislover324

I thought free samples don't have calories.

I can be talked into buying anything, esp. if its a 2-for-1 special deal. I'm a bargain shopper, even for crap food at the register!

In a perfect world... LOL!

[Arctic Mama]

I'm very resistant to suggestion - free Costco samples don't tempt me, I can order or make things for my kids that I can't eat in a million years and not feel a pinch of longing, and in other areas of life I'm very resistant to someone else's ideas or even constructive criticism unless I'm already agreeing/ruminating along those same lines.

I'm not surprised this personality trait/flaw would carry over into my dieting as well.

[thewalrus0]

I would say I am average at resisting these kinds of offers.

Sometimes it's such a struggle and I just give in, sometimes I won't blink twice. I'm hoping that will be helpful in my future. :P

My biggest issues isn't with giving in to suggestion sometimes, it's quitting altogether for months at a time. :P

[Garnet2727]

Hedonic Hunger

My husband watches shows about cooking and restaurants. Sometimes, I'll be watching with him and I'll get "hungry" even though I've just eaten and my belly is full. Also, smelling baking chocolate chip cookies is a huge trigger for me. I can't smell them and go on my merry way without having one...er some....er a LOT.

[shcirerf]

Depends.

Most of the time, I'm ok, like today, even though I was late for lunch and starving, I did NOT buy the baby back rib flavored bag of chips while I was checking out at Menards.
Don't get me wrong I wanted them and I wanted them bad, but because I was hungry, I KNEW, I'd EAT the WHOLE dang bag.

I survived until I got to Taco Johns for one hard shell taco and big glass of tea.

It was in the back of my mind, that my Dh, without a fat issue would like these chips, he's a chip hound, however, I realized, that was a justification for me having them in the car for the drive home. Bad plan.

These chips are right at the check out, just like the Walgreens chips! It's all marketing! Why do you think they are always short on checkers? They want you to stand around and buy all that junk you do not need that you can see while you are standing there with nothing better to do! Chips, candy, gum, mints, batteries, magazines, aww bras, chapstick, jerky, game cards, candy, soda, hair bun thingies, funky no stick skillets, and on and on.

As far as the pizza/kid thing. There is nothing wrong with pizza, or ordering it now and then, however, you can make a healthier version at home and save up the ordering out for like once a month.

I look at it this way, the whole family should be on a healthy, tasty, menu most of the time. We do not want our children to grow up with our former bad habits. However, it's ok to order pizza or whatever, but my limit is 2 times a month.

[Wannabehealthy]

Originally Posted by elvislover324

I thought free samples don't have calories.

I can be talked into buying anything, esp. if its a 2-for-1 special deal. I'm a bargain shopper, even for crap food at the register!

Oh, me too, Elvis! BOGO's or 2fers call my name. Instead of eating one bad-for-me Egg McMuffin, I will buy 2 when they are 2 for $3! And I don't save one for another day!

[geoblewis]

I used to be a slut for the food porn channels. Had to quit watching them. I was spending too much money on speciality ingredients and cooking equipment. Yesterday I was watching Martha Stewart on PBS, just killing time before I had to go someplace. Found myself wanting to make homemade pasta again. Had cravings for a bowl of taglitelle with cream and cheese for the rest of the day! Glad there was no semolina to be had in my house.

I wondered why I was such an easy mark for food ads. The hedonic eating makes sense. I have stopped watching TV shows with ads (only Netflix for this girl) so if I catch something on TV sometimes, it's kinda shocking how irresponsibly food products are created and promoted now. Can't stand watching them!

[betsy2013]

Gee, maybe I'm less open to suggestion than I thought! I look at the stuff at the check out aisle, but then remember my marketing class in grad school and how that section is high profit and targeted to impulse shopping. I take the time to peruse the "newspapers" to find out what celebrity is having an alien baby. If the food isn't part of my eating plan, I won't take it even if it's free. Costco is no problem because all the samplers actually irritate me. Or should I say the shoppers who leave their carts in the middle of an aisle blocking everyone irritate me. Even out socially, I can usually do a pretty good job of resisting.

But suggest food at night after 8 PM and I'm a sucker. And it's never for something small and low cal. It's always for something sweet and/or salty. Hard to resist.

[elvislover324]

Originally Posted by slmn11

Oh, me too, Elvis! BOGO's or 2fers call my name. Instead of eating one bad-for-me Egg McMuffin, I will buy 2 when they are 2 for $3! And I don't save one for another day!

Exactly!! I didn't need one at regular price, I surely don't need 2 at a sale price!! And I never saved the 2nd of anything... I'm so happy I have broken all these bad habits but I'm always one step away from falling for them again.

[Emma4545]

Originally Posted by geoblewis

"Would you like some peanuts or chips?" She pointed to some well-placed items right at the stand, and I caved and grabbed a bag of chips. I ate them on the way home because I was hungry and still had my light supper, but the chips put me over budget by 450 calories. But am I even present when I'm eating the food? No. What a waste!

I am very.

Me into McDonalds window: I will have a snack wrap and that is all.
Mcdonalds person: would you like fries with that?
Me: No.
McDonalds person: do you want a drink with that?
Me: um ok diet coke.
Mcdonalds person: medium?
Me: No small
McDonalds person: you know we are running a special today medium same as small?
me: Um ok.
Mcdonalds person: Did you say you wanted fries with that?
Me: Yes.
Mcdonalds person: Ok drive up....

And somehow I got fries and a medium drink that I didn't really want. Yes I am weak.