were you addicted to junk food? help

lovelyMYlovely

The ONLY thing that worked for me was starting to work out.

I didn't use MFP for the first 9 months after deciding I need to make a change or die quite young. I actually set out to NOT change my eating at all, just add in exercise. Well, that attitude went straight out of the window when I came to the realization that I was putting out a ton of effort trying to get more fit... I naturally began to gravitate towards eating better, and my weight started to register on the scale again, and I was losing fat.

I got on MFP to really make sure my food was on track. I don't go overboard, mind you. I still occasionally have fast food, but I track everything pretty much, and I now have a good understanding of what it means, numbers-wise. It helps keep me in check.

This is just what worked for me.

first off thank u for posting on my question secondly! I am very happy you lost 97 pounds! good for you!!! keep going your doing great!!! I am so so happy that if people really stick to this it can work your a great success story!!!! I am only trying to get healthy and lose my junk food addiction and when I see huge progress like yours I cant help but to comment on this...! great job!!

lovelyMYlovely

ok I am having a hard time. I am doing this whole program because I am addicted to junk/fast food.. I buy they food to eat 20 bites then get very full and hungry again 20 minutes later till eventually I get bored of that food and order something else. I waste all my money on junk food. I finally went to the grocery and bought some more healthy foods.. And bottled water. But I desperately want to eat some chinese food from last night.. How long did it take for you to stop eating fast/junk food? I eat it everyday or so... I really am going to stop.. But need some guidance.. I dont feel healthy?

Girlfriend, that's exactly what I was doing. If you read up what that does to your body you will stop in a heartbeat, or your heart will simply do it without your consent.....

I started 25 days ago with just eating healthy as it seemed I was becoming sensitive to the gluten that is in most fast foods, bread, etc. What a difference right away. I lost 7lbs right off the bat. Then I got sick from a fast food trip and I was down to a 3lb loss.... so I learned pretty quick.

I am allowing myself once per WEEK to get something that is within my caloric "budget" (1200/day). That's it. And oddly, my body doesn't seem to mind it as much now.

Remember, it takes about 20 minutes for your body to tell your brain you are FULL... so eat a reasonable portion and stick with it. Also water is your friend. It will help wash out the toxins your body will be releasing while you lose weight. Drink water religiously. It's been a huge help for me and it helps with the hunger pangs.

Hope that helps. If I can keep driving past FF restaurants, you can too, trust me....

ok thank u i will try this..... water will help... I just bought a 20 pack of water bottles becuse its easier for me to grab a botle than a cup with ice for some reason.. thanks! i actually barely drink water so hopefully this will help

I used to live off candy, cookies, crisps and chocolate. what helped me is understanding that food is fuel for your body. candy, cookies, crisps and chocolate / junk food don't fuel your body, so if you eat too much its bad for your body. when i look at it now i see empty calories. so for a small snack just between meals as a treat sure. but it cant satisfy your hunger and nutritional needs so it gives you nothing.

THAT COOKIE IS CHEATING. HE PRETENDS HES SUPER GOOD, BUT HE GIVES YOU NOTHING BACK.

you know, junk food if it was a person, would be the douche-bag who says all the sweet things to get with you, but is never there for you when you need him, and is probably getting down with your skanky neighbour. you gotta kick the playa to the curb.

:P

hahaha!!! that last paragraph is hilarious!!! hehehe.. lol your funny.. so true junk food says all the right things but when you think about it its actually betraying you in the end! haha good one.... awwww kinda sad to... Y junk food y do you make me feel unhealthy and fat!! ahhh I wish life was a fairytale land...

BrienJD

Were addicted???? I still am! I still eat the same stuff as before, but have eased off a bit on some things. I still have all the junk food but only on the weekend. I still have nightly junk snacks, thoughI try very hard to stick to serving sizes that are within my calorie limit.

_whatsherface

Are brains are wired to want the foods we shouldn't have. In fact that is the exact reason we crave sugar. So for craving fast food and sodium for that matter is completely normal. I too have this problem. Sometimes as digusting as it sounds, I would prefer fast food over home cooked meals. I'm taking a Nutrition class right now and it seriosly will scare you out of eating like crap. I still eat horrible but I am much more aware of the mechanical and chemical reactions going on my body and it's creepy. I just have to have the will power to not want those things which is hard because I work in the community and am subjected to eating lunch at fast food places. I bring my own lunch most of the time but smelling it's goodness is extra hard. Good luck girl!! We can do it!

WendyTerry420

Since when was Chinese food considered junk food? That's a new one.

The only thing I have ever been addicted to was nicotine. I gained weight simply from not paying attention or caring about what I ate. Now I still eat things that I like, I am just more aware of nutrients (of which Chinese food has plenty) and keeping to my target calories.

There is no food that has a withdrawal syndrome. So it basically comes down to what you *choose* to eat. It's your body, your goals. If you want Chinese food, then eat it, or don't. It's your decision to make.

you could have a psychological addiction to anything..

chinese food isn't junk food, but a lot of it is oil laden and unhealthy in western countries because thats the way people like it.

chinese people in general don't eat like that. its fake chinese food.

but yah, its not actually "junk".

Yes, anyone can "believe" that they "need" to perform a specific activity. That's a psychological problem, not a physical one. i just get annoyed when people claim to have addiction to certain foods. For folks that have suffered with real addiction, it can even be considered offensive. There is a HUGE difference between not *wanting* to put down the Twinkie and having actual physical symptoms of the body withdrawing from a substance. I just like to point that out. I have a brother-in-law who is a crack addict, so it is UBER annoying to me when people equate sugar (and other things) with crack. I have also dealt with addicts in various aspects. Someone who can't bring themselves to moderate their eating/video-game-playing/sex/(insert vice here) has issues to be sure. But there is a huge difference between making a decision to change your life and going through a physical withdrawal. A true addict has real physical symptoms on TOP of going through the mental/emotional aspects.



But yeah, even "Americanized" Chinese food has some excellent options that are nutrient dense. Some options (crab rangoon comes to mind) have fewer nutrients for its caloric value, but people shouldn't make claims that simply aren't true. Any food can be part of an overall healthy diet, just as any food can potentially cause health problems when eaten in excess.

WendyTerry420

Are brains are wired to want the foods we shouldn't have. In fact that is the exact reason we crave sugar. So for craving fast food and sodium for that matter is completely normal. I too have this problem. Sometimes as digusting as it sounds, I would prefer fast food over home cooked meals. I'm taking a Nutrition class right now and it seriosly will scare you out of eating like crap. I still eat horrible but I am much more aware of the mechanical and chemical reactions going on my body and it's creepy. I just have to have the will power to not want those things which is hard because I work in the community and am subjected to eating lunch at fast food places. I bring my own lunch most of the time but smelling it's goodness is extra hard. Good luck girl!! We can do it!

I agree that our brains are "wired" to eat carbohydrates. Our bodies require glucose for proper functioning. The problem comes in when we simply eat whatever we want, in whatever quantities, and not listening to the other half of the brain that is telling us, "Ok, that's enough for now!"

lovelyMYlovely

Her Chinese food could easily be fried with a high calorie sauce, so yes, that is junk food.

OP - you seem like such a nice person and I can tell you're really struggling. I don't have much to contribute except to say that you've gotten some pretty good advice on this topic so far. Drinking more water will help keep you full and will aid overall in general health.

Just try cutting back a bit for starters and do a little more every day or every week. Don't be harsh on yourself if you backslide. Learn from it, and keep going. I know you can beat this junk food addiction!

awww well thank you!. and yes my chinese food does consist in alot of fried, greasy, and saucy stuff haha.. I have been drinking water and cutting down slowly

lovelyMYlovely

Since when was Chinese food considered junk food? That's a new one.

The only thing I have ever been addicted to was nicotine. I gained weight simply from not paying attention or caring about what I ate. Now I still eat things that I like, I am just more aware of nutrients (of which Chinese food has plenty) and keeping to my target calories.

There is no food that has a withdrawal syndrome. So it basically comes down to what you *choose* to eat. It's your body, your goals. If you want Chinese food, then eat it, or don't. It's your decision to make.

you could have a psychological addiction to anything..

chinese food isn't junk food, but a lot of it is oil laden and unhealthy in western countries because thats the way people like it.

chinese people in general don't eat like that. its fake chinese food.

but yah, its not actually "junk".

Yes, anyone can "believe" that they "need" to perform a specific activity. That's a psychological problem, not a physical one. i just get annoyed when people claim to have addiction to certain foods. For folks that have suffered with real addiction, it can even be considered offensive. There is a HUGE difference between not *wanting* to put down the Twinkie and having actual physical symptoms of the body withdrawing from a substance. I just like to point that out. I have a brother-in-law who is a crack addict, so it is UBER annoying to me when people equate sugar (and other things) with crack. I have also dealt with addicts in various aspects. Someone who can't bring themselves to moderate their eating/video-game-playing/sex/(insert vice here) has issues to be sure. But there is a huge difference between making a decision to change your life and going through a physical withdrawal. A true addict has real physical symptoms on TOP of going through the mental/emotional aspects.



But yeah, even "Americanized" Chinese food has some excellent options that are nutrient dense. Some options (crab rangoon comes to mind) have fewer nutrients for its caloric value, but people shouldn't make claims that simply aren't true. Any food can be part of an overall healthy diet, just as any food can potentially cause health problems when eaten in excess.

I believe the type of chinese food that I get is JUNK food because I am eating greasy high calorie foods.. as I think pizza is also junk food because the type I like to eat.... everyone has there own opinions on junk food and i believe that junk food is anything I crave that is greasy and flavorful with high calories and that COSTS money..... so i believe it is junk food... yes there are healthy choices in chinese dishes but none that turn me on or nothing I crave .. haha... anyways... thank u all 4 ur feedback....

dillydally123

i didn't read the other posts but maybe you could give yourself some rewards with the money you save from fast food? you could book yourself a cooking lesson/demonstration? do like people do when they're giving up smoking and put all the money into a jar daily, as you would have spent it and watch it piling up!

WendyTerry420

There is no food that has a withdrawal syndrome.

Physiologically, that's up for debate. But it completely ignores the psychological attachment, which can be just as difficult and painful to break.

The only food that could potentially have a withdrawal syndrome associated are caffeinated foods. And this is pretty much limited to beverages.

WendyTerry420

Since when was Chinese food considered junk food? That's a new one.

The only thing I have ever been addicted to was nicotine. I gained weight simply from not paying attention or caring about what I ate. Now I still eat things that I like, I am just more aware of nutrients (of which Chinese food has plenty) and keeping to my target calories.

There is no food that has a withdrawal syndrome. So it basically comes down to what you *choose* to eat. It's your body, your goals. If you want Chinese food, then eat it, or don't. It's your decision to make.

you could have a psychological addiction to anything..

chinese food isn't junk food, but a lot of it is oil laden and unhealthy in western countries because thats the way people like it.

chinese people in general don't eat like that. its fake chinese food.

but yah, its not actually "junk".

Yes, anyone can "believe" that they "need" to perform a specific activity. That's a psychological problem, not a physical one. i just get annoyed when people claim to have addiction to certain foods. For folks that have suffered with real addiction, it can even be considered offensive. There is a HUGE difference between not *wanting* to put down the Twinkie and having actual physical symptoms of the body withdrawing from a substance. I just like to point that out. I have a brother-in-law who is a crack addict, so it is UBER annoying to me when people equate sugar (and other things) with crack. I have also dealt with addicts in various aspects. Someone who can't bring themselves to moderate their eating/video-game-playing/sex/(insert vice here) has issues to be sure. But there is a huge difference between making a decision to change your life and going through a physical withdrawal. A true addict has real physical symptoms on TOP of going through the mental/emotional aspects.



But yeah, even "Americanized" Chinese food has some excellent options that are nutrient dense. Some options (crab rangoon comes to mind) have fewer nutrients for its caloric value, but people shouldn't make claims that simply aren't true. Any food can be part of an overall healthy diet, just as any food can potentially cause health problems when eaten in excess.

I believe the type of chinese food that I get is JUNK food because I am eating greasy high calorie foods.. as I think pizza is also junk food because the type I like to eat.... everyone has there own opinions on junk food and i believe that junk food is anything I crave that is greasy and flavorful with high calories and that COSTS money..... so i believe it is junk food... yes there are healthy choices in chinese dishes but none that turn me on or nothing I crave .. haha... anyways... thank u all 4 ur feedback....

My suggestion is to make your own Chinese food. Then you get your fix, and you are in control of the ingredients. Depriving yourself will set you up for a long fall from the tall wagon.

JellyButter

You have to start slow. You can't just cut it off cold turkey. Eat it still, but less and less everyday. Junkfood is all I used to eat. But its been so long that I don't even like it as much as I used to.

sullykat

AM I addicted to junk food? Yes. How to cure this addiction? In all seriousness, stop buying it. If it isnt in your house or around you, you wont crave it. Out of sight, out of mind. And when you do randomly get a craving, and cant curb it, indulge in a small amount, and toss the rest to the hungry.

Jonesingmucho

I have a little trick that keeps me from eating junk.... I just imagine someone licked the food and BOOYAH sudddenly I have no appetite. LOL

FlaxMilk

There are many ways to approach this, and you know yourself best, so go with what seems like it will work for you. If it doesn't, just try another way. :flowerforyou:

You could start by adding a serving of fruits or vegetables to every single meal. Make no other changes intentionally at first, just try that. See if you can start training your taste buds to enjoy more whole foods.

Or, you could try going cold turkey. Some people do not do well with "in moderation" while others can only do "in moderation." Both approaches are valid, depending on the person. While I do include grains in my diet, it's much harder for me to eat the way that makes me feel best when I include them. I have increased sugar and carb cravings when I eat them. It's not because I have "deprived" myself of them. It was like this for me when they were included daily for me too. Something about me just craves them excessively no matter how much of them I eat. So for me, I tend to avoid most grains (I'm fine with oatmeal) and foods with lots of added sugar (in any form). If I really want them, I'll have them, but I also know that I will feel a little off kilter while I do.

You could try the "If it fits your macros" approach. It's a good "in moderation" way of eating. You have to attend to your nutritional needs, but you can do that however you can make it work. If a piece of pizza will fit into your day (calories, carbs, protein, fat), go for it!

Good luck!

know_your_worth

I was a junk food junkie. I still eat it every now and then, but not nearly as often as I would.

As far as fast food goes, I noticed once I stopped eating it, I stopped craving it. It's been a few months since I've had any kind of fast food and honestly I don't really miss it. I think once you get used to your new way of thinking and have that healthy food right there at home, you'll be more likely to reach for that verses ordering out or going to a drive thru.

fun_b

I have a few friends who do the whole pig out friday lunches or weekend junk days. I used to go all the time but now I say no most of the time as its too tempting to eat the wrong food. These friends are thin or only a few pounds overweight so I know they would order steak and fries with a large cheesecake without a care in the world. Not suggesting you avoid all your friends invites but I find I eat less junk as I only go with this group occasionally.

nikilis

Since when was Chinese food considered junk food? That's a new one.

The only thing I have ever been addicted to was nicotine. I gained weight simply from not paying attention or caring about what I ate. Now I still eat things that I like, I am just more aware of nutrients (of which Chinese food has plenty) and keeping to my target calories.

There is no food that has a withdrawal syndrome. So it basically comes down to what you *choose* to eat. It's your body, your goals. If you want Chinese food, then eat it, or don't. It's your decision to make.

you could have a psychological addiction to anything..

chinese food isn't junk food, but a lot of it is oil laden and unhealthy in western countries because thats the way people like it.

chinese people in general don't eat like that. its fake chinese food.

but yah, its not actually "junk".

Yes, anyone can "believe" that they "need" to perform a specific activity. That's a psychological problem, not a physical one. i just get annoyed when people claim to have addiction to certain foods. For folks that have suffered with real addiction, it can even be considered offensive. There is a HUGE difference between not *wanting* to put down the Twinkie and having actual physical symptoms of the body withdrawing from a substance. I just like to point that out. I have a brother-in-law who is a crack addict, so it is UBER annoying to me when people equate sugar (and other things) with crack. I have also dealt with addicts in various aspects. Someone who can't bring themselves to moderate their eating/video-game-playing/sex/(insert vice here) has issues to be sure. But there is a huge difference between making a decision to change your life and going through a physical withdrawal. A true addict has real physical symptoms on TOP of going through the mental/emotional aspects.

actually the consensus now is to call serious drug problems as drug and or alcohol dependency, substance abuse and moving away from the term addiction as the medical community is trying to make a separation between drug dependency and wider addiction see below:

Addiction is a persistent, compulsive dependence on a behavior or substance. The term has been partially replaced by the word dependence for substance abuse. Addiction has been extended, however, to include mood-altering behaviors or activities. Some researchers speak of two types of addictions: substance addictions (for example, alcoholism, drug abuse, and smoking); and process addictions (for example, gambling, spending, shopping, eating, and sexual activity). There is a growing recognition that many addicts, such as polydrug abusers, are addicted to more than one substance or process.

so, addiction to gambling, spending, shopping, eating, and sexual activity is a process addictions and:

substance addictions refer to alcoholism, drug abuse, and smoking and are increasingly termed "dependency" because they are far more serious and needed a reclassification.


so, can you be addicted to food, the consensus is yes, is it the in the same category as drug dependency no, definitely not.

if anyone feels like answering, please do a little research first.

bottom line, there are compulsions that can make you want to eat or bang your neighbour, gamble away your life savings or wear leather and get whipped by a transvestite. they are classed under addiction.

ps. the op is just talking about craving food and and struggling not to eat it.

its not really like this:

Elphaba91

I've also had a problem with binge eating that I've just started tackling (and pretty successfully!) As others have suggested, try finding healthier alternatives to your junk food cravings - like making your own burgers. It does take awhile for your tastebuds to adapt so just give it a bit of time.

At the same time, though, I think you should still indulge just OCCASIONALLY and IN MODERATION. For instance, I have 1 scoop of homemade ice-cream a couple of days a week when I've been good (so I still come under my calorie goal). While it's a bit naughty, it's a vast improvement on the 2 scoops each night I was eating and it stops me from just pulling out the entire tub and a spoon and eating it all in one go!

I think the other problem you seem to have is that you're either ordering too much food or eating it where more is available. So if you want those fries, fine, order a small size and walk away and eat them elsewhere - not in the restaurant or food court. That might help you with eating in moderation.