Is junk food always going to be tempting?

dayotte33

I've been on the wagon for 103 days now. I'd say overall it's only about 20% easier today than it was when I first started. For those of you that have gained control of your lives...HOW DID YOU DO IT?! Seriously this has been over 3 months of hell but I'm still VERY MUCH going to regain my overall health. Everyone says it gets easier as you go along. Just wondering exactly when that will be. I'm sure it's different for each person. Just curious.

LittleMissDover

I find things are still as tempting HOWEVER if I give in I enjoy them less.

Last two times I've had Chinese take away because I was craving it I really didn't enjoy it. First time I put it down to a bad chef but after the second time I think my taste buds have just changed.

dayotte33

Really good point. I haven't given in so I don't even know what junk food would actually taste like. I may just be craving what it USED to taste like to me. Hhhhmmm, cookies for lunch anyone???

melsinct

Unhealthy food that tastes good will always taste good, therefore to me, it will always be tempting. However, I don't believe in cutting any item 100% out of my life and I do eat small portions of whatever I want. If it fits within my calories, I can certainly eat a cookie or a SMALL sliver of cake or pie or a handful of potato chips, etc... The problem is if you can't control your portions and completely pig out. That is why many of us throw around the "everything in moderation" cliche.

Never tasting any junk food ever again is an unsustainable approach, in my opinion. I think a big part of my journey here was to learn to live with all sorts of foods and maintain my weight forever (I lost 30 pounds and have been maintaining for 8 months). It did get easier but honestly, I think I hit my stride with maintenance. It really all has become second nature now.

nexangelus

No, in fact once you have done a year and more of eating healthily the junk becomes useless, empty calories...food is fuel after all and junk is full of the wrong kind of fuel for what I want to achieve.

If I really must have a biscuit or chocie bar I do...all things in moderation and all that...

JesterMFP

We have evolved to enjoy foods that are high in fat and high in calories in general, so in some ways, those kinds of foods are always likely to have a certain draw. On the other hand, a lot of it comes down to habit. I've found that moderation and portion control works for me. I don't eat much "junk" anyway, but I do crave it sometimes. When I have it, for example a Chinese takeaway I had the other week, I enjoy it, but I don't tend to feel that great afterwards, physically. Knowing how it makes me feel makes it easier for me to resist, but I still like the taste so will still have it on occasion. I'm not really on a "wagon" though - I'm pretty much eating the same as I intend to eat permanently, and that's not being restrictive with foods. Obviously some people choose to give junk food up altogether and for some of them, they really do get over the taste of it. If you don't have something for a long time, often your tastes do change.

Mokey41

Junk food is always tempting but the thing you learn over time is that junk food really blows your budget quickly and you pay the price for eating it. I still eat junk food but I make sure it fits my budget. Denying yourself something just gives it more power so if you want some junk, have some junk just keep it in moderation.

SabrinaLily

I think it's going to always be tempting from time to time but not as much as it used to be. For me, in the beginning I ALWAYS wanted junk food, especially sugary treats, like 24/7. I darn near obsessed over them. Now, I just want them every once in awhile, like when I see a yummy cupcake in the bakery window. I think the difference came when I started to count my calories because, in doing so, I was forced to make better food choices. My doc said that sugar raises your insulin levels and makes you crave more of it. One leads to tons. Without me eating those triggers now, I'm in control of what I eat physically and don't crave it so much mentally. I also started taking a few supplements that were said to help with this too. Do they work? I can't say for sure, but I'm not going to stop taking them just in case they are helping, even if it's just a placebo effect! As an aside, I take chromium with each meal and rosea rhodiola. (I also take a multivitamin and fish oil).

bcattoes

Taste, for the most part is learned behavior. Sure there will always be foods you dislike no matter how many times you try to like them. And yes, some junk food will always be tempting. But you can change your tastes so that it's less tempting by finding healthy foods that you also love. Just open yourself to new tastes and recipes. Learn to prepare your favorite meals using healthier ingredients. A healthy diet isn't all greek yogurt and salads.

And it's okay to give in and feed your unhealthy cravings now and then. You don't have to eat healthy food all the time to be healthy.

nexangelus

We have evolved to enjoy foods that are high in fat and high in calories in general, so in some ways, those kinds of foods are always likely to have a certain draw

Er, no...we started farming and having supermarkets and fast food outlets that sell mass produced, cheap stuff, so we chose that, we have not evolved to eat it *shakes head*

TinGirl314

I don't crave junk anymore, but I do crave enjoying food the way I used to. It used to be comforting to eat a brownie with some ice cream on top. I find that when I'm at the supermarket reading the labels...I just can't do it.

dayotte33

I'm so glad I reached out. Great points for me to consider. Thanks everyone!!

brvzfan13

I am 101 days into this and I really try to just drink water when I get those cravings. Most of the time they pass. When they don't I usually log in to MFP and check my calories. I don't know why just looking at my food diary helps me refocus. I think it also helps that the total pounds lost thingy is there and it sends me that mental vibe of this being a total lifestyle change, not just a food change and I know I do not want to go back to the other side (not that I have totally crossed over yet...ha ha). But, you know what I mean. I have also found that chewing a 1/2 stick of gum helps fight the cravings. Most gum that I chew is less than five calories so chewing a 1/2 each time isn't that much. I'll take 2.5 calories over the calories in a candy bar or whatever snack I am craving any old day. Also, I have become obsessed with steamed veggies. So, when I am at home I usually go to that and it kills my hunger pains or I workout. If I am at work I chew gum, drink water, log on, and let willpower take over. This is hard. Some days are harder than others. But, I know the the end the results are going to be worth the effort. One more thing about the water. I find that it helps me sometimes to drink a large Sonic ice water with extra ice. For some reason their awesome ice and the really cold water helps me curb the cravings. Maybe it is all in my head, but even then I will take it if I am drinking water instead of eating junk. :-)

bcattoes

No, in fact once you have done a year and more of eating healthily the junk becomes useless, empty calories...food is fuel after all and junk is full of the wrong kind of fuel for what I want to achieve.

If I really must have a biscuit or chocie bar I do...all things in moderation and all that...

I'm not sure I understand this post. If junk is useless and not tempting, why must you have a biscuit or chocie bar?

WendyTerry420

I had no idea that there was a "junk food" wagon! *gasp* How much are tickets for a ride? :laugh: :laugh:


Seriously, since I have been on MFP and learned about nutrition, I have come to realize that there is really no such thing as "junk food." Typically the foods that many refer to as being "junk" simply have fewer micronutrients than other foods. There is absolutely nothing wrong with making such choices, so long as you are getting your micronutrients from other foods that you eat. It's all about balance. I truly believe that you are better off with a dessert after dinner than to stress out on a daily basis, obsessed with food that you enjoy but don't allow yourself to eat.

TrixieMarie

I have incorporated the word "Don't" into my vocabulary. When I see something I want to eat that I know I shouldn't ,I try to say, out loud, "I don't eat that!" Makes me feel a little more in control. It works more often than not! Sometimes it make me look like a pious jerk at pot lucks, but what the hell. Eating to please is what got me into this mess, and if I get the chance to snub my sis in laws brownies because she is being a jerk all the better Yes I am being mean. It's that time of month and I my "give a damm is busted!"

waldo56

Going cold turkey on "junk food" will never work.

Learning moderation is the key.

AstyPasty

I can only echo the 'moderation' that other posters are talking about.

I don't deny myself anything, however, what I do do is check the calories beforehand and then in my head equate that to exercise of how much out of my daily allowance that will be! Once I know that then I make my choice and most of the time I don't eat it. It's weird, it's become second nature now, I've been here since end of May.

Alissakae

I still think food is a fun and pleasurable part of life. But being religious about tracking calories helps me be more conscious of when I am tempted to use food in an inappropriate way. I still have treats, but they have to fit into my calorie budget and at appropriate times.