I have a hairpin trigger when it comes to binge-ing out on food. A little stress, and little sadness, a little boredom, a little distraction… they
all lead to a dark place that ends with me stuffing my face with things I have no business putting into my body at such volume and velocity, all while nobody is witness to the self-destruction. The saddest part is not even being able to identify that it was a trigger until I realize I’ve already eaten half a bag of chips, half a can of nuts, or half a jar of nutella (with a spoon no less!). It’s depressing to make the realization, it’s a huge part of the reason I don’t keep my pantry stocked in the way of snacks.
I call it eliminating the threat.
I can’t stop myself being stressed or saddened over things, and it’s especially disheartening when those things are absolutely trivial. I also don’t do well with boredom, OR distraction. But the only thing I can control in the can’t-stop-stuffing-my-face equation is what I am putting into my body.
As I am a lazy individual and I live in a hot climate, I do not often get the bug to go jump in my sauna of a car and drive someplace to get something that will satisfy my cravings for bad food. But if I have even a morsel of that kind of food in my house, I will devour it in mere minutes when effectively triggered. As such, I have learned that there are things I simply cannot purchase at the grocery store. Mind you, many of them are pretty bad for you to begin with since they are processed, but anything in moderation (HA!) right? So I’ve taken to not purchasing them at all, or trying to purchase single-serving items in order to satisfy my desire for the foods I can’t trust myself with.
Do you have threats in your pantry? Do you go shopping on an empty stomach and buy your favorite trigger foods and stock you pantry with things you should be avoiding? Then eliminate the threat. Don’t buy them anymore. Yes, we are adults, but even adults can be incapable of fighting impulse. And it’s certainly much more difficult to fight that impulse when the threat is in your pantry.
So, be better than your impulses. Eliminate the threat. And tell me what your threats are in the comments!
I dont have a snacking problem, even with the snacks at my disposal i dont eat them. My threat is the cafeteria at work! If I don’t have time to eat breakfast at home I eat at work. It is usually a double egg, cheese and sausage breakfast with a sesame seed bagel. Sounds delish right?! This morning was a victory. Instead of the two fried eggs I had egg whites. It knocked off at least 200 calories. Still had the cheese, sausage and bagel but baby steps right? I will not go into lunch. When I’m stressed and have a nice lunch I skip my lunch and buy from the cafeteria just because I can. getting better at it, baby steps everyday.
Thanks for the excellent post!
Ahh, the temptation! I feel your pain Krystal! My husband has a cafeteria across the street from his job. I would be just as tempted as you if I was so close. Perhaps you can try combating your weakness for the deliciousness that is your cafeteria grub by finding some new, more tasty healthy options for breakfast and lunch each day. You can definitely end up in a “routine rut” where the healthy stuff starts to seem bland and boring. Try making a flavorful dinner that has leftovers you can bring the next day. Or maybe swap out the bagel for an English muffin or a side of toast if possible?
P.S. do you have any idea how LUCKY you are that you aren’t tempted by your snacks?!
Peanut Butter…and queso. Mmmmm queso dip, grilled cheese, fondue…. Thank goodness for PB2 🙂 I haven’t found much in terms of healthy melty cheese goodness alternatives.
Why must you taunt me?! I am been dyyying for some fondue. Maybe we’ll just have to make our own. 🙂 Although it will have to be a “cheat” meal ‘cuz there’s no such thing as healthy fondue…