I'm addicted to fast food!
tygee190
Posts: 5 Member
I have been addicted to fast food for about six years now. It's time for it to stop. What is surprising however is that I never gained weight from it till about six months ago. I'm not over weight just want to lose some weight. Is there anyone out there that can give advice. I'm super busy with college full time and a job! Thanks in advance!
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Replies
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If you truly feel it in a addiction, then you need to be willing to do whatever is necessary to quit.
1.) Preplan/log/even precook all of your meals. A lot of people will take a few hours a week and cook all their meals for the week and freeze them in portions.
2.) Try to figure out if there are any "triggers" that cause you to turn to fast food. Boss yelled at you and now you want a Whopper? Figure out something else that will help you feel better.
3.) Do whatever you can to make fast food less readily accessible. Take a different route home if your normal one passes your favorite fast food joint. If possible, don't carry any money. I never carry cash in order to avoid the vending machines at work. I don't always love not being able to get chip/twinkies etc, when I want, but it helps me stay in my calorie goals.
4.) If you're not truly addicted, and just really like it, figure out how to fit your favorite foods into your calorie goal. You might not be able to eat it every meal, or even every day, but cutting it out entirely is probably unnecessary. I eat fast food at least once a week, and make it fit my calorie goal.0 -
"Fast food" is pretty broad. To what, exactly, are you addicted? The convenience?0
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Sounds like a behavioral issue. Start with small changes - not getting fast food for several days in a row. Substitute other activities for it (how about some homemade food prep?) Gradually decrease your dependence on the ritual of eating fast food.0
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I would say I'm addicted to the price, convenience, and taste. To be honest I would rather eat fast food then a home cooked meal. It's is really hard to avoid it I pass it on the way to work and on the way home no matter which way I go. I have tried this week to only get a Mcdonald sweet tea and no food.0
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Then eat it, just less of it. It has fat and carbs and protein, all of which you need.I would say I'm addicted to the price, convenience, and taste. To be honest I would rather eat fast food then a home cooked meal. It's is really hard to avoid it I pass it on the way to work and on the way home no matter which way I go. I have tried this week to only get a Mcdonald sweet tea and no food.
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I would say I'm addicted to the price, convenience, and taste. To be honest I would rather eat fast food then a home cooked meal. It's is really hard to avoid it I pass it on the way to work and on the way home no matter which way I go. I have tried this week to only get a Mcdonald sweet tea and no food.
You're going to have to plug in something else to divert the behavior. Exercise? More time studying? Getting together with friends to make & share dinner?
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vivmom2014 wrote: »I would say I'm addicted to the price, convenience, and taste. To be honest I would rather eat fast food then a home cooked meal. It's is really hard to avoid it I pass it on the way to work and on the way home no matter which way I go. I have tried this week to only get a Mcdonald sweet tea and no food.
You're going to have to plug in something else to divert the behavior. Exercise? More time studying? Getting together with friends to make & share dinner?
The behavior occurs on the way to work I go straight to work after class and don't have time to cook. So it is easier to stop and get food. Does anyone have suggestions of what I can pack for lunch that will keep me full and be able to sit in my car for hours?0 -
An insulated lunch bag inside a small cooler would allow basically anything you wanted.vivmom2014 wrote: »I would say I'm addicted to the price, convenience, and taste. To be honest I would rather eat fast food then a home cooked meal. It's is really hard to avoid it I pass it on the way to work and on the way home no matter which way I go. I have tried this week to only get a Mcdonald sweet tea and no food.
You're going to have to plug in something else to divert the behavior. Exercise? More time studying? Getting together with friends to make & share dinner?
The behavior occurs on the way to work I go straight to work after class and don't have time to cook. So it is easier to stop and get food. Does anyone have suggestions of what I can pack for lunch that will keep me full and be able to sit in my car for hours?
Yogurt, chicken, fruit. Whatever you like that keeps you full.
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The behavior occurs on the way to work I go straight to work after class and don't have time to cook. So it is easier to stop and get food. Does anyone have suggestions of what I can pack for lunch that will keep me full and be able to sit in my car for hours?
I've found nuts, especially peanuts to help with satiety, especially between classes or on my way home from school, and they're really easy to pack. A 1/3rd of a cup will keep me full a looooong time, but usually I just pack about 1/6th of a cup because it takes the edge off without overloading my calories. I'd suggest that if you need to munch in the car.
What made me decide to stop buying as many quick foods is looking at my money and seeing how much of it disappeared into "oh I'll just have a breakfast sandwich today" or "oh I'm tired and don't want to make a lunch for tomorrow, I'll just buy something". It really adds up, even though it's "cheap" (still more expensive than home-food, usually). I find, if you look at how much gets spent over a month or a year, and then decide to do something else that's rewarding with that money, like savings or planning for a trip, etc.0 -
DeguelloTex wrote: »
An insulated lunch bag inside a small cooler would allow basically anything you wanted.vivmom2014 wrote: »I would say I'm addicted to the price, convenience, and taste. To be honest I would rather eat fast food then a home cooked meal. It's is really hard to avoid it I pass it on the way to work and on the way home no matter which way I go. I have tried this week to only get a Mcdonald sweet tea and no food.
You're going to have to plug in something else to divert the behavior. Exercise? More time studying? Getting together with friends to make & share dinner?
The behavior occurs on the way to work I go straight to work after class and don't have time to cook. So it is easier to stop and get food. Does anyone have suggestions of what I can pack for lunch that will keep me full and be able to sit in my car for hours?
Yogurt, chicken, fruit. Whatever you like that keeps you full.
Another vote for the cooler and anything you like. Sandwiches are convenient.
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vivmom2014 wrote: »I would say I'm addicted to the price, convenience, and taste. To be honest I would rather eat fast food then a home cooked meal. It's is really hard to avoid it I pass it on the way to work and on the way home no matter which way I go. I have tried this week to only get a Mcdonald sweet tea and no food.
You're going to have to plug in something else to divert the behavior. Exercise? More time studying? Getting together with friends to make & share dinner?
The behavior occurs on the way to work I go straight to work after class and don't have time to cook. So it is easier to stop and get food. Does anyone have suggestions of what I can pack for lunch that will keep me full and be able to sit in my car for hours?
Pack snacks to keep in your car.
I tend to stay fuller on higher protein/fat foods:
Beef jerky
String cheese
Nuts
Greek Yogurt
Deli meats
Keep an ice pack in a cooler.
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What made me decide to stop buying as many quick foods is looking at my money and seeing how much of it disappeared into "oh I'll just have a breakfast sandwich today" or "oh I'm tired and don't want to make a lunch for tomorrow, I'll just buy something". It really adds up, even though it's "cheap" (still more expensive than home-food, usually). I find, if you look at how much gets spent over a month or a year, and then decide to do something else that's rewarding with that money, like savings or planning for a trip, etc.
Definitely this. You are spending a LOT of money if you're eating out every day.
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Can you replace junk fast food places with healthier restaurants? Like Freshii, or WholeFoods hot bar, or Just Fresh, or places that cater to healthy eaters?0
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You can still have fast food. Just eat less. Go for only kids meals.0
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Find nutrient-dense substitute foods to deal with the cravings. Eat those instead. If you want salt and fat, eat it. Just get it from a better source, and cut the portions gradually. Count your overall calories and weigh yourself. Get yourself to a point where you can cut fast food altogether and eat at a 20% caloric deficit.0
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vivmom2014 wrote: »I would say I'm addicted to the price, convenience, and taste. To be honest I would rather eat fast food then a home cooked meal. It's is really hard to avoid it I pass it on the way to work and on the way home no matter which way I go. I have tried this week to only get a Mcdonald sweet tea and no food.
You're going to have to plug in something else to divert the behavior. Exercise? More time studying? Getting together with friends to make & share dinner?
The behavior occurs on the way to work I go straight to work after class and don't have time to cook. So it is easier to stop and get food. Does anyone have suggestions of what I can pack for lunch that will keep me full and be able to sit in my car for hours?
Pack snacks to keep in your car.
I tend to stay fuller on higher protein/fat foods:
Beef jerky
String cheese
Nuts
Greek Yogurt
Deli meats
Keep an ice pack in a cooler.
This is a good idea ^^^^^^
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If you can't kick the addiction, just try and eat less so your calories stay at the level that's right for you. Check out Professor Haub's twinkie diet, which he did to prove that it was quantity and not what you eat that matters:
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/diet-fitness/diet/articles/2010/09/29/junk-food-the-new-weight-loss-diet
The downside with this diet though is that it must be lacking in micronutrients, so you'll still want some fruit and vegetables with it.0 -
vivmom2014 wrote: »I would say I'm addicted to the price, convenience, and taste. To be honest I would rather eat fast food then a home cooked meal. It's is really hard to avoid it I pass it on the way to work and on the way home no matter which way I go. I have tried this week to only get a Mcdonald sweet tea and no food.
You're going to have to plug in something else to divert the behavior. Exercise? More time studying? Getting together with friends to make & share dinner?
The behavior occurs on the way to work I go straight to work after class and don't have time to cook. So it is easier to stop and get food. Does anyone have suggestions of what I can pack for lunch that will keep me full and be able to sit in my car for hours?
Seems like it's more of a convenience thing.
As others have said, just make yourself a packed lunch and take that with you.
Sandwiches, Pasta based meals pepped the night before, Yogurt, Fruit,..... anything you like that is quick and easy.
I do like fast food too, but it's just not healthy eating it every day.
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hamlet1222 wrote: »If you can't kick the addiction, just try and eat less so your calories stay at the level that's right for you. Check out Professor Haub's twinkie diet, which he did to prove that it was quantity and not what you eat that matters:
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/diet-fitness/diet/articles/2010/09/29/junk-food-the-new-weight-loss-diet
The downside with this diet though is that it must be lacking in micronutrients, so you'll still want some fruit and vegetables with it.
Thanks so much for the advice I will have to check that out.0 -
Any addiction, whether real or perceived, is conquered in the same manner - a true desire to quit. If you really want to quit, you will. No matter how strong the craving or need, you will stop when you really want to stop. It won't be easy and you shouldn't expect it to be. But if you want it, you'll do it.0
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Have you tried having other things at McDonalds? Salads, wraps, value menu items vs. big mac meal (or whatever it is you prefer)?
Small changes can make a big difference.0 -
You might also try the wraps they sell at places like Publix, Whole Foods, or Fresh Market. They are quick, easy to eat on the go, and about the same price as a combo meal.0
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hamlet1222 wrote: »If you can't kick the addiction, just try and eat less so your calories stay at the level that's right for you. Check out Professor Haub's twinkie diet, which he did to prove that it was quantity and not what you eat that matters:
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/diet-fitness/diet/articles/2010/09/29/junk-food-the-new-weight-loss-diet
The downside with this diet though is that it must be lacking in micronutrients, so you'll still want some fruit and vegetables with it.
Thanks so much for the advice I will have to check that out.0 -
Try the lower calorie items at fast food restaurants, skip the sides and high calorie beverages, you can leave condiments like mayo or cheese off........there are plenty of ways to cut calories while eating fast food. If you find you aren't full cutting back like this, I'd vote for bringing lunch in a cooler a few days a week.0
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Check out the calorie counts on their online menus, and write down some acceptable choices (calorie and taste). Then stick to those choices. Getting a kid's meal can be a good choice, because they sometimes have healthy side options & drinks offered - just make sure to ask for the substitution. Also some of the chicken-topped salads at Wendy's or ChickFilA can be good if you use your own lower-cal dressings. Once you start automatically ordering better choices, you won't default to the same old burger-and-fries combo when you pull up to the drive-through. And sweet tea? Ditch it! That's 280 calories right there! Keep some unsweetened tea on hand (you can buy single serves in the convenience store) and just add a little sweetener to it. If you find it hard to wean off the sweet tea, drink it half sweet & half unsweet and gradually reduce the amount of sweet.0
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I eat fast food (mcdonalds usually) nearly every day. I get a McDouble, no cheese half bun forf 265cals and a small fry for 230ls. 495 cals for a meal. Fits into my day easily (1500cls w/o exercise).0
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hamlet1222 wrote: »If you can't kick the addiction, just try and eat less so your calories stay at the level that's right for you. Check out Professor Haub's twinkie diet, which he did to prove that it was quantity and not what you eat that matters:
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/diet-fitness/diet/articles/2010/09/29/junk-food-the-new-weight-loss-diet
The downside with this diet though is that it must be lacking in micronutrients, so you'll still want some fruit and vegetables with it.
Thanks so much for the advice I will have to check that out.
Of all the advice on this thread, I am concerned that you respond to the one about the twinkie diet. As a college student, I applaud you for preparing for the future with an adequate education. Consider how you are preparing for your future health. Micronutrients and fiber are notoriously low, fats and simple carbs are in abundance on the McDonald's menu. Please consider powering your body and brain with the healthy foods it needs as carefully as you are empowering your quality of life with your education.0
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