My McDonald's Habit

spyro88

So I've just been reflecting in my blog about my love-hate relationship with McDonald's food

(Click here to read)

I was wondering if anyone else has a love-hate relationship with a particular food, an eating habit that they wish they could kick, but have always struggled with? Or has anybody managed to succeed in cutting out/ reducing a food that they used to crave but have decided they don't want to eat anymore? I'd be interested to know!

kommodevaran

I can't see your blog, but yes, I have had a love-hate relationship with food, and wanted to stop it, but I felt compelled to eat and eat. I believed I was addicted. I actually started out with the addiction/avoid strategy, and it helped me start, but it has never helped me continue. I couldn't just cut out or cut down, that doesn't last. I needed a completely different perspective. Luckily, I found this to work for me:

I eat anything I want, but not all the time, and not everything at once.
I love food that loves me back.
Food should taste good but not "too good".
Cook more from scratch, and only eat food I like.
Plan balanced and varied meals, and shop purposefully.
Eat regularly, and not eat between meals.
Forbidden fruit taste the sweetest. So I don't demonize any foods. No foods are off limits.
But I also reduce temptation by not buying trigger foods to keep at home.
But I also have different rules for ordinary days and special occasions, and keeping in mind what "special" means.

My relationship with food is now relaxed and happy, I love to eat and allow myself to enjoy it. My tastebuds have come to life, and the flavors of "real food", which I thought of as boring or too strong, are now exciting and nuanced; "junk foods" aren't bad tasting, just a bit bland and unnecessary intense. I look forward to meals and don't fear treats. I can say yes and no without anxiety or regret. My weight is healthy and stable.

spyro88

I just realised I had my blog set to private! D'oh! It's changed now

Thanks for the comment kommodevaran. They are really good tips / mottos. Glad it's working for you. I hope I can get there too!

kommodevaran

I have read your blog post now, and I like it! Growing up (and I'm still "growing", at 47) comes with some tradeoffs, I must be more responsible, but I can also choose more freely - being completely rational all the time, is just not realistic, or even necessary - I need to use both my heart and my head when I make decisions. I can't return to childhood, but I don't have to forget it, either. Childhood memories are deeply rooted in emotions, most of us have things we miss and other things we're happy to see gone. We can, and do, create new traditions all the time. If you are a parent, or when/if you become a parent, you get the chance to help your children build habits that are both happy and healthy. Or you can just make them for yourself.

spyro88

Thank you for the words, you are totally right

jdlobb

I used to eat McDonalds a lot, it's hands down consistently my favorite fast food.

But eating it regularly was just not sustainable.

However, now that I eat it less often, and control my calories when I do, it feels like more of a treat than it did before, and I find that I enjoy it even more.

Yesterday I walked 2 miles so I could go to McDonalds, and all I had was an original hamburger and small fries, and it was divine. I was completely satisfied. And it was total like 600 calories at most.

3 months ago I could have never had that same meal and been even close to satisfied.

spyro88

That's brilliant jdlobb... yeah maybe I should try doing a bit of extra exercise or saving some calories for a treat. I did walk right past McDonald's today and I WAS hungry at the time and tempted to go in but I resisted.. was quite proud! I think it helps to write it down and talk about it actually!

potatoyeti

My poison is Wendy's and more specifically the spicy Asiago club ranch with a large fries and ice tea. It's been about 3 weeks since have had one and all I can say is I crave one every time I pass a Wendy's

jdlobb

potatoyeti wrote: »

My poison is Wendy's and more specifically the spicy Asiago club ranch with a large fries and ice tea. It's been about 3 weeks since have had one and all I can say is I crave one every time I pass a Wendy's

I only crave Wendy's when they have the Sriracha special items on the menu. The Sriracha bun is....drool

Danimri84

My weakness is a beef and cheddar from Arby's. It's only around 450 calories, so it's doable to work it into my calories now and then. I used to eat the half pound variety with a side of mozzarella sticks, which are 440 calories by themselves. Now I just stick with the classic size sandwich and far less often.

ninerbuff

I eat fast food at least 3 times a week. I just work it into my calories.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

PaulaWallaDingDong

potatoyeti wrote: »

My poison is Wendy's and more specifically the spicy Asiago club ranch with a large fries and ice tea. It's been about 3 weeks since have had one and all I can say is I crave one every time I pass a Wendy's

I get mine with a spicy filet.

whitpauly

Danimri84 wrote: »

My weakness is a beef and cheddar from Arby's. It's only around 450 calories, so it's doable to work it into my calories now and then. I used to eat the half pound variety with a side of mozzarella sticks, which are 440 calories by themselves. Now I just stick with the classic size sandwich and far less often.

Love beef and cheddar from Arbys! I still gotta get the mozzarella sticks occasionally though but I'll only eat one or two

Need2Exerc1se

Oh sure, I've changed my diet a lot over the years. When I was younger I ate fast food quite a bit. Now I rarely (as in maybe once every 2-3 years) eat it. There are other things too. I like to stick to mostly healthy foods.

AngryViking1970

Ugh, now I want some fast food for lunch. McDs? Taco Bell? Sonic? Decisions, decisions...

rlarkin591

Love McDonalds. Now, I go with a chicken snack wrap (or two) or a side salad (lite on the dressing). Their fruit and yogurt parfait is a nice dessert that wont sock you with too many calories. Miss my double quarter pounder but the snack wraps are good. The best are the ones that have the chipotle sauce but our local one only sells ranch. Tried multiple times to get it without the sauce and they have finally got it down. Also, egg mcmuffin not too bad on breakfast side (NO hash browns )

jdlobb

AngryViking1970 wrote: »

Ugh, now I want some fast food for lunch. McDs? Taco Bell? Sonic? Decisions, decisions...

since I started dieting Taco Bell has actually turned out to be the safest bet. The power menu items are good, and you can get anything "fresco style" where they swap out cheese and sour cream for pico and guac. The steak power burrito fresco style has 30G of protein and <400 calories, and is super filling.

sdolan91

I like me some Arby's and Wendy's. Mcdonalds doesn't taste good to me at all.

cwolfman13

I have zero passion for fast food...I pretty much only eat it when I'm road tripping and I've never really understood how anyone just loves it...

But I do have a passion for really good pizza and fish 'n chips and other pub grub. I have no desire to never eat pizza or pub grub...I just don't eat it all of the time. We get pizza once every couple of weeks or so from our favorite local pizzeria...pub grub is my often my indulgence after spending 3-4 hours in the climbing gym because Two Fools Tavern is just down the road and it's all kinds of awesomeness...

KickboxFanatic

I really, REALLY miss the spicy chicken breakfast biscuit from Chik Fil A. *sigh*

Penthesilea514

ninerbuff wrote: »

I eat fast food at least 3 times a week. I just work it into my calories.

^This. I eat fast food a lot, and I have learned what are my go-to items on the menu for different calorie amounts remaining. I love Wendy's and Taco Bell.