How to kick a fast food addiction?
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In for SuperSize.0
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That is sort of funny because my knowledge of addiction comes from an actual psychologist who diagnosed my cousin with a physiological addiction to Cocaine in which he overcame through rehab. Now because he was addicted to Cocaine an addiction that is psychological he was not given any Cocaine unlike the opiate addicts who were weaned off of there physical addiction because if they quit without doing so their physical dependency on the drug would of killed them
About certain fast foods being an addiction or about addictions in generalSome fast food does have addictive additives, if you have ever seen the documentary "Super Size Me" there is a scene where the guy , who's name escapes me right now, who has been eating McDonald's for a week or so at this point is going through minor withdrawal and only feels happy when he is eating McDonald's. Now this is not as serious of a form of addiction like drug use is but it is still a sign of addiction. Also it should be know that there are two forms of addiction psychological and physical. Most addictions are mostly if not all psychological where the brain feels like it needs something to make it happy, this is common with drugs like Coke, on the other hand opiates usually cause a physical addiction meaning that the drug causes the body to stop producing certain neurotransmitters. This can lead to a withdrawal that if can kill someone if they quit cold turkey.
I suggest learning a bit more.
Addiction.
Cocaine =/= opiates =/= food0 -
We all have bad days. It's okay.. Just get back on track tomorrow!!!0
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Oh I don't know, high sodium is linked to high blood pressure, stomach cancer, problems with your kidneys to name a few. Two Bean Burrito's at Taco bell is over 2000 grams of Sodium
2kg of sodium in two burritos?0 -
Cold turkey + intense will power for about a week.
That's just what I did. The first 2-3 days are the absolute hardest but your body adapts really quickly
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Cold turkey + intense will power for about a week.
That's just what I did. The first 2-3 days are the absolute hardest but your body adapts really quickly
How many days sober...er, I mean, unarched are you?0 -
OP, I used to have a big problem with fast food. There's a Carls Jr and a Del Taco right across the street from my apartment complex and it was just so easy to stop there every day after work. My excuse was always that I work late, no time to cook, hungry now etc etc, but they were just excuses.
For weight loss/budget reasons my husband and I made the decision to only go out to a restaurant (which includes fast food locations) once a week, and we alternate who gets to choose. But it does come down to willpower in the end to not take the 'easy' way out and just go there more often. We keep quick-cooking foods available for late night dinners, like eggs and bagels, to make sure we have something to eat/snack on so we don't just stop at Carls or Del Taco because we feel lazy. We still do, but it is *much* less frequent, like maybe once in the last 4 months.0 -
Someone already said it, but COOK COOK COOK!
I have the best cookbook ever from my mother-in-law, and it shows me how to make anything. Roast turkey, orange chicken, burgers, cheesecake! I made orange chicken yesterday because my husband has been craving some Chinese food, and i wanted some fried chicken. It required me to make the sauce, batter and fry the chicken, and make the rice. Doing everything from scratch took 2 1/2 hours! (Part of that's my own inexperience with the recipe.) I got my fatty friend chicken in orange sauce, but I won't be making that very often!
When you have to work harder to make the foods you love but are unhealthy, you'll eat them less often than if you just pop by the fast food restaurant on the corner.0 -
I'll disagree with food being an addiction. Unlike other addictions, you need food to survive. And the link you provided FAR from verifies food being an addiction PROVEN.Original Poster:
Keep your head high. If you want someone who can speak from experience...it absolutely can be an addition. Scientifically proven, some fatty/high in carbohydrates can trigger a cocaine-like addiction in some people. I mean, there's even been research done pertaining to the out of control consumption of food related to the pain reduction centers which focus on the serotonin mechanisms in the brain. So all of you who are saying, "you're wrong for calling it an addiction", it very well may be. Take a peek and learn before you criticize or tell someone they're not calling it what it is - http://foodaddictioninstitute.org/scientific-research/physical-craving-and-food-addiction-a-scientific-review/.
Next, OP, if you feel it's really out of control, I encourage you to see professional help. It doesn't mean anything is wrong with you...it just means that there is something going on with you that you need a bit of help with.
If you don't think it's an actual...addiction per say...then maybe start by reducing the times you get fast food per week. Then you can start making healthier alternatives at home.
Please add me as a friend. I've been there...I'm here to chat! Peace.
From the foodaddictionstitute:
The problem here is obvious. We have a theory, i.e., “suspected” reason, but not yet empirical proof of the serotonin receptor causing physical craving and addiction. There is the need for similar animal and brain imaging studies as we have for the dopamine receptor. Basically, we can see the full scientific evidence for the dopamine addiction to the pleasure center of the brain, but we need further study to see how the clinical experience which would be explained by a serotonin addiction to the pain control center of the brain might actually work biochemically. Of course, the operative word in this last sentence is “might”; this too is speculative, not evidence-based, theory. Another possible (i.e., speculative) theory is that the malfunctioning of serotonin receptors of the brain is a part of the neurochemistry of emotional eating or psychologically-based eating disorders. This should be carefully distinguished from the changes in the dopamine receptors of the brain caused by their contact with addictive foods, i.e., an evidence-based theory of biochemical dependence on specific food(s) or food in general.
http://foodaddictioninstitute.org/scientific-research/physical-craving-and-food-addiction-a-scientific-review/
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0 -
OP, do yourself a favor and find recipes that are similar to the fast foods you enjoy. Cook them at home and exercise control over what is in your food. Eat the foods you like in quantities that fit your nutritional goals. Even if cooking is not your strong suit, most fast food items use basic techniques. You can put your own spin on some items you already enjoy. Best of luck in your journey.
http://lifehacker.com/5665491/top-10-fast-food-recipes-you-can-make-at-home0 -
I really wish people wouldn't use the word "addiction" so lightly. I really doubt you are addicted to fast food. Sure you make like it, you may crave it, but you are not addicted to it.
ditto.
it's mcdonalds, not heroin.0 -
OP, do yourself a favor and find recipes that are similar to the fast foods you enjoy. Cook them at home and exercise control over what is in your food. Eat the foods you like in quantities that fit your nutritional goals. Even if cooking is not your strong suit, most fast food items use basic techniques. You can put your own spin on some items you already enjoy. Best of luck in your journey.
http://lifehacker.com/5665491/top-10-fast-food-recipes-you-can-make-at-home
i did this. my favorite take out food is chinese sesame chicken. i kinda like my version better.0 -
Yes the word addiction or toxic for that matter are taken literally for the simple reason of clarity. Most just want to change their habits and feel extreme measures need to be taken, and with anything extreme, it's very easy to criticize simply because any extreme measure is fraught with misguidance and a lack in knowledge. You don't have to eliminate all fast food because it's just food after all and when the majority of a diet is based on nutrient dense whole foods and minimally processed it really doesn't matter that you had a taco here and there and it's now that your feeling the effect of your extreme stance on the matter, and generally people will give up, feel defeated. Don't do that, have a taco if you feel the urge, work it into your diet and move on.Omg...sorry for putting myself out there and asking for help. Sorry for using the word "addiction". I won't let it happen again.0 -
Fast food here in Wales is quite expensive, I think a 'McMeal' would cost the equivalent of around $8? That helps :P
Much cheaper to eat at home!0 -
I try to recreate healthy versions of fast foods at home that I like and fit it into my calorie goals. For instance I used to be obsessed with Taco Bell but now I just make Taco's at home so I can portion what I am eating and use healthier ingredients. You can still eat fast food if you want but limit the intake with willpower and planning ahead of time.
meat
lettuce
tomato
sour cream
taco shell
shredded cheese
i dont get it...whats unhealthy?
Well for starters Taco Bell has a ridiculously high sodium count because all of the ingredients are pre-packaged and come in bags--- look behind the counter when they are refilling there vats.
Um. What is wrong with high sodium? And what does a bag have to do with sodium?
Most of the sodium would be from the meat.
Also, just because you spit out the word "vats" does not make it OHNOES status.
Oh I don't know, high sodium is linked to high blood pressure, stomach cancer, problems with your kidneys to name a few. Two Bean Burrito's at Taco bell is over 2000 grams of Sodium, if she has a problem with fast food eating this excess could be a problem hence why I said making it at home or limiting it could be useful I said vat because it's funny, someone needs to relax, I'm trying to help and your snarkiness is incredibly dull.
Do you have some evidence to go with those statements?0 -
Some fast food does have addictive additives, if you have ever seen the documentary "Super Size Me" there is a scene where the guy , who's name escapes me right now, who has been eating McDonald's for a week or so at this point is going through minor withdrawal and only feels happy when he is eating McDonald's. Now this is not as serious of a form of addiction like drug use is but it is still a sign of addiction. Also it should be know that there are two forms of addiction psychological and physical. Most addictions are mostly if not all psychological where the brain feels like it needs something to make it happy, this is common with drugs like Coke, on the other hand opiates usually cause a physical addiction meaning that the drug causes the body to stop producing certain neurotransmitters. This can lead to a withdrawal that if can kill someone if they quit cold turkey.
Super Size Me is BS. Spurlocks diet diary was painfully incomplete and no one have been able to replicate his results, and people have tried.0 -
I used to be addicted to it too, however when I tried eating healthier foods - vegetables and chicken - it was much more tastier and my energy levels rose without crashing down i.e. made me feel better. Try experimenting with new healthier foods that have nutritional value in them, start slowly and you may slowly get off the junk food. That's how it happened to me. My whole day is tiring if I have junk food so I limit it to when I'm not doing anything or am going to exercise later.0
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Not, sure, I did the opposite and embraced fast food. Now I am losing weight like crazy.
This
If you don't deprive yourself, you won't feel the need to splurge if you have fast food every now and again (fitted into your cals and macros).0 -
I reduced my intake after educating myself on the kinds of products they use. I'm not a vegan, or a vegetarian, but I like to consume meat that is organic and reared and killed in the kindest possible way. So I won't eat chicken from KFC because I know they only use chicken from intense farming, which use fattier birds, and treat them badly.
Instead I buy organic and free range meats and make my own 'fakeaways' whenever possible. This has also reduced my meat consumption because organic and free range is expensive! I can easily pay £7 for two chicken breasts ($11-$12).
I'd far rather make my own burgers from organic lean beef mince (ground?) than go to McDonalds and eat their 'beef' (i.e. all the bits you wouldn't feed your dog) that has been intensely farmed and cows fed a ton of stuff you don't want in your food chain.0 -
For my lunch today I will be having red onion and balsamic cous cous with basil infused tuna, spinach, red and yellow cherry tomatoes, cucumber and black olives. I have already tracked it and have been looking forward to it since I chopped the veg last night
However, after reading this thread, now I want a frikking big mac!0 -
You could try this process in changing your compulsive eating:
1) Give yourself absolute mental permission to eat what you want, when you want and in whatever quantities you want (this relives a feeling of deprivation but doesn't mean you necessarily have to act on this permission.)
2) When it comes to eating a fast food meal then decide before hand how much you intend to eat. If that intended eating meets your calorie plan then just eat and enjoy.
3) If you find however that you are intending to eat more than is necessary because you feel compelled to do so then tell yourself mentally that you are choosing to satisfy your compulsion because it provides you temporary pleasure. HOWEVER also tell yourself that you choose to accept the downsides as well including lack of energy, increased likelihood of weight gain, headaches or whatever downsides you strongly feel are associated with excess weight. (The concept of telling yourself you are choosing to do so is important.)
You may find over time that your eating of fast food unconsciously lessens if you consciously follow this process for a while.
Many times fast food falls into the category of "forbidden fruit". This gives it artificial power and value. When you take that power away you may find that you don't actually enjoy it that much in reality.0 -
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lost almost 60lbs while eating fast food 3-4 times a week. Now maintaining that loss while still eating out 3-4 times a week. I like fast food and I'll keep eating it, all while being healthy, happy, and rocking my size 2 skinny jeans :drinker:0 -
Omg...sorry for putting myself out there and asking for help. Sorry for using the word "addiction". I won't let it happen again.
Don't worry about it. Just dump the stuff that you find personally unhelpful and move on. It's okay to want to improve the quality of the food you eat. Fast food used to be my most available source of nutrition. I stopped eating fast food by making sure I had access to more nutritious food. The lower calorie options at most fast food places are disgusting to me with a few exceptions. After a few weeks, I don't really miss burritos and burgers anymore. I'm really enjoying the energy that I get from eating cleaner.0 -
I reduced my intake after educating myself on the kinds of products they use. I'm not a vegan, or a vegetarian, but I like to consume meat that is organic and reared and killed in the kindest possible way. So I won't eat chicken from KFC because I know they only use chicken from intense farming, which use fattier birds, and treat them badly.
Instead I buy organic and free range meats and make my own 'fakeaways' whenever possible. This has also reduced my meat consumption because organic and free range is expensive! I can easily pay £7 for two chicken breasts ($11-$12).
I'd far rather make my own burgers from organic lean beef mince (ground?) than go to McDonalds and eat their 'beef' (i.e. all the bits you wouldn't feed your dog) that has been intensely farmed and cows fed a ton of stuff you don't want in your food chain.
Aldi do whole free range chickens for £4.99 - so you get two breasts, plus all the other delicious bits!0 -
Honestly it seems like I have to quit cold turkey. If I go, I have no control and get whatever I want (even if it is awful for me). Good luck.0
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I had a serious fast food addiction. That coupled with binging honestly might have killed me.
But I developed a gluten allergy and suddenly it was all off-limits. I just had to stop, I didn't have a choice. Now if I want fast food it has to be Chipotle or something similar.
Pretend you have a gluten allergy.
GOOD LUCK!0 -
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I reduced my intake after educating myself on the kinds of products they use. I'm not a vegan, or a vegetarian, but I like to consume meat that is organic and reared and killed in the kindest possible way. So I won't eat chicken from KFC because I know they only use chicken from intense farming, which use fattier birds, and treat them badly.
Instead I buy organic and free range meats and make my own 'fakeaways' whenever possible. This has also reduced my meat consumption because organic and free range is expensive! I can easily pay £7 for two chicken breasts ($11-$12).
I'd far rather make my own burgers from organic lean beef mince (ground?) than go to McDonalds and eat their 'beef' (i.e. all the bits you wouldn't feed your dog) that has been intensely farmed and cows fed a ton of stuff you don't want in your food chain.
Aldi do whole free range chickens for £4.99 - so you get two breasts, plus all the other delicious bits!
oh yes I do whole chicken about once a month and use all the bits for stock and more meals -amazing how many meals you can get out of a small chicken! But It's time for me too. I work 7 days a week so don't always have time to roast a bird in the evenings - breast meat is just easier for chucking in a dish, or using a slow cooker (do not trust putting a whole bird in a slow cooker no matter how many people say it's fine!)0 -
that is awesome! I used to drink 24 cokes a day, and now I drink just 1....i lost 12 lbs so far, but i can see it in my face and stomach isn't so bloated, i can actually start to see a 2 pack...lol
the fast food is always going to be tough because if you are in a hurry it takes 5 min to get food, which is all poison but it's quick and easy0 -
which is all poison
No... just no. :noway:0
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