Addicted to PROCESSED FOODS!!

I'm soooooo glad someone else is in the same ball park. I too would be interested in what works for others

I have the same problem!!! I have found the more working out and drinking water I do it helps.

I go through that at times, especially at night. I'm great during the day but at night I seem to want the "bad" stuff so I just make sure I have low calorie fixes like the weight watchers ice cream candy bars (4 pts) or weight watchers chocolate cakes (2pts) or reduced fat ice cream with strawberry perserves or sherbet ice cream on hand. Just keep a variety of low fat goodies on hand and make sure you have room on your calorie intake for it throughout that day just in case.
What I find happens to me is, if I have it on hand I don't want it as much but if it's not in the house I crave it like crazy.

Good luck, I know how hard it is, just stay strong and keep on track no matter what.

me too! But I gave them up.. infact, after dinner I dont eat anything, unless it's something like sugar-free jell-o or a granola bar. I dont keep things like that in the house anymore, so even if i want them , I can't have them If I feel like eating, I drink some juice (for me, its more filling than water), or if it's time for my p90x workout, i do that.


oh, and i have 3 kids and a husband in the house, but if i can eay healthy so can they!

I am working on this issue right now. I decided I needed to change my nightly habits to a healthier pattern. It is like breaking an addiction, it takes a few weeks of doing something different to break the habit. I listen to guided meditation cd's for weightloss, kelly howell makes good ones. It works for me if even just to relax me(I get anxious when my cravings kick in) and it keeps me busy for half an hour. Also at night I have light kettle corn since it is salty and sweet, it helps me avoid the eating something salty then sweet then salty again...........you know the deal. Good luck

I haven't and have no desire to completely eliminate these items from my diet. I know if I do I will not stay on track. I budget them into my daily calories, by 100 calorie packs (or separate them into serving size baggies) and allow myself to have them once in a while. I found that once I stopped trying to cut them out I didn't crave them as much.

I have drastically reduced my consumption of processed foods but my reality is that they will always be a part of my life so I found it was better to learn how to live with them and still stay on track

Hi everyone. Just wanted to see if any of you share the same problem that I'm having. Throughout the day I'm very good about eating lean, healthy meats and vegetables. Usually at night, I start craving really bad foods like cheeze its, chips, ice cream, cookies, chocolate, basically anything processed. I'm starting to think I'm addicted to processed foods. I can't go one day without them. What's going on here?! Does anyone else feel this way or have suggestions?

Since your diary isn't public, it's hard to help you determine what triggers it. Before MFP, I was HUGE night-time nibbler. I could do well all day, but end up eating 1000+ calories after dinner. *ugh... that was hard to write and acknowledge*

I noticed when I cleaned up my daytime eating, the night nibbles started to go away. What I mean by that is I try not to eat simple carbs during the day - sugar, white flour, etc. I've also noticed if I don't eat enough during the day, the night nibbles start to come out too.

To try to fix that, I've made sure to stock up on things I like but won't wreck my day - Blue diamond toffee almonds or the cocoa dusted one's, skinny cow ice cream, laughing cow cheese, sugar free pudding, etc. If I think I'm going to have a "nibble night", I log my snacks in advance and make sure I limit it JUST to those.

get the food out the house. if it isn't there, you can't eat it. grit your teeth, brush your teeth, drink water and don't touch it. no one's making you eat it but you. are you capable of eating tiny amounts or are you an all-or-nothing person in that area?

also, sweet fruits help. mango, strawberries, etc. mix them with some plain yogurt, kefir, etc.

HONEY YOU HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD!!! I TRY NOW NOT TO EVEN BUY THOSE TYPES OF THING, BUT I HAVE KIDS AND THATS WHAT THEY WANT :blushing: WE ARE NOT A "PROCESSED FOOD" TYPE FAMILY BUT SOMETIMES YOU WANT THE JUNK.....MY ADVICE, IF YOU HAVE TO HAVE IT, SPRING FOR THE 100 CALORIE PACKS....BELIEVE ME IT HELPS, A LOT! :bigsmile: STOCK MORE OF YOU FAVORITE FRUITS AND VEGGIES AND LESS OF THE PROCESSED FOODS, EXAMPLE, INSTEAD OF SNACKING ON MY CHIPS AND DIP....I GET POPCORN, NO BUTTER, NO SALT....THAT GIVES ME MY CRUNCH FACTOR WITHOUT MAKING ME FEEL "ICK" :sick: AFTERWARDS. GOOD LUCK!

I too have a daughter at home. We mostly use the 100 calorie packs for her (she does not have a weight problem!) If I'm having a really bad craving we'll go for a walk or do something to get my mind off of it. But every once and a while she'll request chips ahoy or oreos. If I want them, I have two or three and that little bit seems to do the trick.
Bridgid