Doritos are not meth.

RobinvdM

The 'food addiction' mindset is so MISused. Being a self-proclaimed food addict doesn't make it true. If you suspect you are, go get help. Some people DO have issues with addiction, while a large majority of folks use it as an excuse for why they do the things they do. The OP's intention was to vent/rant a bit about how foolish it is to become so obsessive about calories that you wind up in a guilt laden zone just THINKING about something "unhealthy." For the handful of people that ARE genuinely food addicts, they are very likely in need of counciling which will help educate them on HOW to tap into the self-control they will need to master, whether it's how to shop "safely" or how to "just say no" to the work place treats. But for the rest of "you" out there being indignant about this, get a grip and lighten up. You take food a BIT too seriously, and this is coming from someone who is finds solace in eating apples to sooth the angry monster.
Crunchy, juicy sour apples. Rawr! :laugh:

Zaggytiddies

It's interesting to me that so many people consider themselves addicts.

IrishHarpy1

If someone brings cupcakes into my work, and I decide I’d like one – I eat it, I think “What a delicious cupcake.”, log it as best as I can in my food journal and continue with my day. I never think about it again, I don’t skip dinner or do an extra workout or pray to the Weight Loss God. I don’t shiver and sob on my bathroom floor while rubbing Sensa crystals all over my body. I ate a cupcake, I didn’t hit someone with my car and keep driving, so why should I feel guilty?

See, what is wrong with you is that you are what is sometimes referred to as "rational." Or some might say "pragmatic." You may even have overtones of "well adjusted."
You'll probably go on to live a successful life or some such hell.

Poor OP... I also agree with everything you said.

As for your detractors: while yes, there are some indications that people can develop symptoms that mimic addiction, it's not as bad FOR MOST OF US (see what I did there?) as some would make it out to be. You feel like something "triggers" you? Avoid it. But they need to get a grip on the fact that some of us DO have control over what we can/shouldn't eat, and have healthy relationships with food.

To be honest, I don't think anyone has died from Dorito withdrawal... you may crave them, but your body won't exhibit the DTs if you stop eating them.

trogalicious

Of all of the posts and recommendations and everything else that I've seen here...

I'd still rather have a bag of doritos than coffee up the butt.

Kudos OP.

SanteMulberry

Plain Doritos are the same as practically any other tortilla chip.

I think most folks are talking about the Nacho Cheese variety, which I haven't eaten in years due to its not being completely gluten free anyway. I stay away from flavored chips like that for other reasons, because I don't trust their flavorings (and its the flavorings that make them so addictive, the added sugar and fat no doubt). But I can freebase just about any kind of chip, even the healthy ones.

I am sympathetic to those who have no willpower over chips, but for me -- never eating straight out of the bag, making sure its all measured by food scale before popping into my mouth controls the overeating for me. It's now a habit and it keeps me from overeating them. It may or may not work for others, but it works for me so I shared my success with it.

For me, chips are nice but not my drug of choice. I often eat plain organic blue corn chips-- (even *gasp* with melted cheddar cheese!) no problem. But I'm like Homer Simpson with doughnuts. *shrug* So I don't go there. (Sorry to taunt the cheese addicts).

rm7161

As for wheat, there is a substance called gliaden (not gluten) that has been shown in laboratory experiments to make rats eat and eat whatever food substance that contains it.

Gliadin is a component of wheat gluten.

Bold BBQ Doritos, while not certified gluten free, do not contain any wheat ingredients either... they can be cross contaminated in the factory, which is a problem for someone with celiac like myself, where even around 20 parts per million can cause an antibody reaction, but not an issue for someone who has a simple intolerance. That addictive power is down to the added salt and sugar, and being rather high in fat to start with I'm afraid.

SanteMulberry

lol this was to funny. Personally, I think every bag of chips should have 1 potato chip dipped in speed. This way for those of us who eat the entire bag at one time we will have an uncontrollable urge to run around for a day or so. My to do list would get so much shorter.

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :flowerforyou:

jillica

You had me at Doritos!

Unfortunately, you lost me at the 2nd Paragraph.

VorJoshigan

What do you have against meth?

EVERYTHING IN MODERATION!

CandiSki

LOL. LOVE THIS POST. :drinker:

Mama_Jag

I will preface this by saying I did not read every reply.

From what I did read, some are of the opinion that avoiding trigger food = failure.

I personally view it as success. I have worked at a healthier lifestyle for a few years now. I've quit smoking. And there are certain foods I will not purchase. Period. I have not failed by making that decision, I have overcome my triggers. I still have to walk by those things in convenience stores and grocery stores. I exercise willpower each and every time I go to the grocery store. I won't binge on chips and queso dip, because it's not in the house, even though I had the opportunity to purchase it.

jessmart83

I absolutely love this post. Had me and my bf laughing. I hate when people say I can't control myself, although I do say that myself sometimes. But I don't dwell on it, eat the damn double cheese burger tomorrow is another day.

SkinnyBeth4Life

This. Was. Epic. Thank you for writing!

Zaggytiddies

I will preface this by saying I did not read every reply.

From what I did read, some are of the opinion that avoiding trigger food = failure.

I personally view it as success. I have worked at a healthier lifestyle for a few years now. I've quit smoking. And there are certain foods I will not purchase. Period. I have not failed by making that decision, I have overcome my triggers. I still have to walk by those things in convenience stores and grocery stores. I exercise willpower each and every time I go to the grocery store. I won't binge on chips and queso dip, because it's not in the house, even though I had the opportunity to purchase it.

But the point is... You don't ***** about it. I don't think OP is talking about folks like yourself.

MaraDiaz

Why would I eat something knowing I will spend the rest of the day wanting to overeat everything? Why not just avoid those annoying foods and spend my willpower on something more productive than fighting a craving I foolishly set myself up for in the first place?

Also, it was MUCH easier for me to quit smoking than to quit eating sweets. So much easier the two don't even compare.

Calipalm

LOVE THIS!!!! Very well said! This puts a smile on my face!

LydHoule

I love this. I have held the belief all along that food in not the enemy, guilt is. I work out 4+ times a week and try to eat healthier, but I'm doing this so I can have a cupcake once in a while, and a giant burger every now and again. Not all the time, mind you, but I'm not going to be "that guy" and only eat rice cakes and celery for snacks, or soup broth and broccoli for dinner. No one would invite me over for coffee or dinner! (Besides the fact that that alone would be very unhealthy) Live to better yourself, but also live to reward yourself for all the hard work!

rm7161

For me, chips are nice but not my drug of choice. I often eat plain organic blue corn chips-- (even *gasp* with melted cheddar cheese!) no problem. But I'm like Homer Simpson with doughnuts. *shrug* So I don't go there. (Sorry to taunt the cheese addicts).

Oddly, I was never particularly a fan of doughnuts. I would eat them if they were around, like one or two, but I never had any great drive to eat them either. I noticed when I got really sick I had started to become gluten free unconsciously, as foods that caused me gastric upset I started to avoid.

cheryljanine

Love this post. I have gone home every night this week and poured a portion of doritos into a bowl. I crave them about every other month and have to have the big bag. I eventually get sick of them and toss what is left but it takes me a few days to satisfy the crave. you go girl.

rachelsharris3

BRILLIANT! Love this! Thank you

allisonlane61

It's also what keeps you from buying the Doritos at the grocery store. :-)

I would agree totally with this---I know that there are certain foods that I don't even go near in the grocery store--just like a recovering alcoholic knows that it is a bad idea to go into a bar. I know that the first bite of food that I grew up addicted to, doughnuts, cake, pie, cookies, white bread (but any kind of wheat bread is a problem), would be likely to set off a binge. So I just don't take the first bite. I'm not bothered if others around me eat those things, but as for me, I WILL NOT. Moderation is a foreign word to an addict---if he/she was able to have moderation with substances of one sort or another, they wouldn't be an addict.

No, what I meant was it's just as much will power for anyone to just not buy it as to torment myself and buy it and distribute it from my pantry one paltry fistful at a time. Will power is for each a different task/accomplishment.

I'm not a food addict, but I know I love certain things. If there's a small size and I am craving it, I buy it. But if there isn't, I'd just rather not buy it and spend my time NOT thinking about eating it.

I think I may believe there can be food addictions, and brain chemistry and genetic makeup, for all the advances, is still relatively mysterious. Who knows if a gene is "turned on" and there is a genuine physical addiction. I believe for most, will power can play a part--I just choose to exhibit my will power in the grocery store rather than in my pantry.

umachanxo

Well said.

MaraDiaz

I just choose to exhibit my will power in the grocery store rather than in my pantry.

:drinker:

WendyTerry420

Addicts cannot have their addiction in moderation, plain and simple.

So I guess food addicts should be simply provided ......what? Pills or IV tubes? Should they get their dietary needs by prescription? I'm sure you don't think they just starve to death?

So, I guess you didn't read the link or beyond that one sentence, eh?

Let me reiterate:

"Just as alcohol is the substance that triggers the alcoholic's disease, there are substances that trigger a food addict's out-of-control eating.These substances are typically refined carbohydrates, sweeteners, fats and processed foods. These foods seem to affect the same addictive brain pathways that are influenced by alcohol and drugs."

There are plenty of healthy, unprocessed whole foods that people who are addicted to food can eat that don't trigger addictive behavior. Rarely do you hear people bemoaning the fact that eating one baby carrot leads to the consumption of an entire package. The problem is generally processed junk food--the ingredients in those foods act upon their brain receptors in the same manner in which alcohol acts on the brain receptors of an alcoholic.

Hope that takes care of your concerns that all food addicts are doomed to a life of IV fluids and vitamin pills.

Sounds like a bunch of hooey to me.

RedHotHunter

WendyTerry420

1. YES, there are real addiction issues that be associated with food, like eating disorders.
2. YES, "just have more willpower" is not ALWAYS the best answer.
3. YES, there are variables for each situation that "just say no", might not be enough
However:
1. The amount of melodrama around peoples reaction to food is absurd, and many times, overreactions.
2. Eventually, one MUST learn willpower to resist overeating if they are going to become fit and healthy, this is a part of all "recovery" processes.
3. You will always be around people with "bad" foods, they aren't illegal (yet) so people are going to eat them around you, offer them to you and yes, not consider your diet and flaunt them. Unless you are going to lock yourself in your house with vitamins and rice cakes, you will have to learn self control or moderation.
4. Many of these "overreactions" are PART of the person's issue with food, that most likely led to their ED or being overweight, so while it is true a simple "no" might not suffice, a simple "no" will eventually be a necessity.
5. Learning a healthy relationship with food is the most important thing anyone can do for themselves when it comes to weightloss and healthy living.

So, I agree with the OP when she expresses her frustrations with seeing the same "plea for help" over and over again.

Excellent post!

SanteMulberry

Why would I eat something knowing I will spend the rest of the day wanting to overeat everything? Why not just avoid those annoying foods and spend my willpower on something more productive than fighting a craving I foolishly set myself up for in the first place?

Also, it was MUCH easier for me to quit smoking than to quit eating sweets. So much easier the two don't even compare.

^^^^THIS^^^^

EatClean_WashUrNuts

Ed98043

If it was as easy as "just say no", then no one would be fat. There's plenty of science that backs up the fact that junk food addiction is EXACTLY the same brain process as drug addiction. Dopamine is produced, receptors become desensitized over time and require more and more of the substance to get the same result, willpower flies out the window when the craving is triggered. It's just like a recovering alcoholic not wanting to keep a fifth of whiskey in the house or knowing they can't have "just one drink" at that party. Sure, some are able to self-regulate with time, but some have to resist even a sip for the rest of their lives.

acora

YES THANK YOU! I AGREE!