Fast Food Addiction and Friends

cdh2015 · December 2014

Anybody else in here addicted to fast food? I can go clean for months at a time but then as soon as I have that one fast food meal, I fall right back into it again and can't stop eating it. It feels almost like alcoholism. Can never have that one bite. Anybody else going through that struggle, feel free to add me or anybody in general. Looking for friends as well. I hope y'all are having a great weekend!

fearlessleader104 · December 2014

I still eat fast food. Almost 2 months on mfp

Velum_cado · December 2014

I used to be. There was a time in my life when I literally ate McDonalds (or Taco Bell, Wendy's, etc) at least twice a day, every day. I haven't had any of the above in about 6 years and don't miss it at all. I still eat burgers and fries and whatnot, but I can make it much better, with higher quality ingredients myself!

Edited to add: I believe you can eat fast food and be healthy, lose weight, whatever, but I can't. After going through what I did with it, I need to avoid it all together. Also I've become a bit of a food snob in my old age, so it makes it much easier! Haha >.<

taunto · December 2014

Hey man, welcome to the site.

I think the big mistake that many of us make is that they think of fast food as evil. True, you get "more bang for your buck" in terms of calories and nutrition eating clean but nothing wrong with having a little once in a while.

This is why I love to track my food intake. I was like you, binging on fast food. I remember eating like a million calories on fast food one day. I did what I normally do, I logged the calories in MFP, chalked it off, worked out a little to offset the damage and carried on. You WILL have bad days.

One thing that helped me is eating a little bit of bad also. Like, I keep 10-20% of my calories dedicated towards chips or ice cream etc. It helps me curb those binges. Also, I don't AVOID fast food. I just try to control the intake. Don't run away from your cravings, embrace them and try to work around them.

Lounmoun · December 2014

I wouldn't consider myself an addict but I eat fast food once a week and it doesn't derail me. I try to log my whole day in advance. I can look up most places for menu and nutrition info and really decide what fits my day. Sometimes I get a smaller sandwich or skip the fries. I drink water or unsweetened tea usually. Sometimes I just get whatever and I exercise more to compensate that day.
Maybe work on cutting down to once or twice a week, plan it out and log it.

malibu927 · December 2014

In for addiction

Lounmoun wrote: »

I wouldn't consider myself an addict but I eat fast food once a week and it doesn't derail me. I try to log my whole day in advance. I can look up most places for menu and nutrition info and really decide what fits my day. Sometimes I get a smaller sandwich or skip the fries. I drink water or unsweetened tea usually. Sometimes I just get whatever and I exercise more to compensate that day.
Maybe work on cutting down to once or twice a week, plan it out and log it.

Same. If you can work it into your day, especially by finding a lower-calorie substitute (say, instead of a Whopper I now get a Whopper Jr minus the mayo), then go for it. I've been craving a McGriddle for several weeks now, and this morning I made that my breakfast. You don't need to demonize food, just learn how to eat in moderation (meaning as an occasional treat, not every day). If it isn't possible for you, then by all means avoid pulling into their lots.

kinkyslinky16 · December 2014

I think there's a difference between eating fast food in moderation and being addicted to it. If it's something you can't stop indulging in, then it's best to avoid it. Some people are able to control themselves around those foods but if you aren't able to, then it's a different issue altogether.

Slacker16 · December 2014

Just a heads-up : you're going to really regret the way you titled your thread.

Anyway, there's no reason to "go clean", I order takeaway at least once a week and it sometimes puts me over my calorie count for the day because small orders are pointless bs.

Just keep an overall balance, either eat smaller portions of fast food or eat a little less most days and pig out every now and again. Both work, and require less mental energy than "going clean".

ccindpls · December 2014

Sorry to say I am with you on this one. I have to stay away....big shiny M's of doom get me every time. I have to agree it is kin to alcoholism or any addiction for that matter...and right now I am running after the wagon. You are in good company. Maybe if we both apply the wisdom of above posts we can handle it in moderation someday. Meh.

NoelFigart1 · December 2014

I have it sometimes, yes, and yes I like it. But I can go from having a fast food meal to my own cooking pretty easily.

My worst habit seems to be letting things go downhill when snacking, especially on bread-type stuff.

seltzermint555 · December 2014

I kind of get into the habit of it I guess you could say. Maybe not "addicted". But I quickly remember that it's not very satisfying.

When this happens for me it's usually a combination of traveling, having a VERY busy week or two, and not having adequate time to plan/prep meals. So my husband and I will go out to dinner at a "real" restaurant and then the next day for lunch I'm like...hmmm...tacos...and it just continues that way throughout the week. I don't believe in any food being "evil" or things like that, but I do notice if I eat fast food 3-4 (or more) times in the same week I just don't feel quite as energetic & good as I do when I eat what I'd call "real" food, either that I have cooked myself or bought in a different type of restaurant that makes fresh food with better ingredients (say, an independent Thai restaurant for example). However, when I just have like 1 lunch per week at Steak N' Shake I feel awesome...I just don't go every day like I might have years ago ;-)

Fast Food Addiction and Friends

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