Fast Food Withdrawls

I am one week into my new heathier outlook on life. I am doing really well having lost 5lbs already, although I think I am actually having fast food withdrawls. I would probably have some form of fast food at least 6 times a week. Now I am brown bagging for work, eating at home for dinner and all I can think about is getting a pizza or a huge cheeseburger. The wierd thing is I'm not even hungry, but the thoughts are almost consuming. Is thier anyone else having a really hard time giving up fast food? Am I just crazy?

Nope you're not crazy:bigsmile:

Think on what fast food contains? Lots and lots of carbs and fat, as in the unhealthy kinds of fat. The carbs in fast food are simple carbs which almost immediately turn into sugar as they hit our bloodstream..... so sure you absolutely could be going thru sugar withdrawels.... your blood sugar can shoot sky high with all the simple carbs from white bread, pizza, that sort of thing then what happens is our blood sugar drops way low and we think we are hungry all over again...that sort of food never really fills us up becasue it's not made of nutritious balanced foods.:noway:

Doesn't mean you can never eat pizza but sometimes it's best to take a break and allow your body to detox in a way then when you feel you can have a slice or two, and log it in and can fit it in your food diary for the day...no problem.

I'm really proud of you that you've decided to give up fast food...that's a great 1st step toward getting healthier and making more positive food choices. OMG and think on the money saved too!:noway: :bigsmile:

I think simple carbs are not only physically addicting but emotionally and mentally as well...thus why you get the food image in your brain, it's used to eating that food so it's sorta like it's sending you a craving message.

Really no different than a drug/alchohol, cigs etc. craving. We don't need any of those things yet our body and mind tell us we do if we've had a habit of using them in the past.

Ok, got a bit long here but hope this helps you and that you realize...NO WAY you are NOT CRAZY:noway: :bigsmile:

Just processing and cleaning your body out from the junk... it takes a bit of time but you hang in there and you will see incredible results. Not too long from now the idea of fast food will turn your stomache... the grease and such just won't be something you crave anymore.:sick:

Have a great night, glad you posted and Welcome to MFP..I see you joined us this month:drinker: :bigsmile: btw...CONGRATS on the weight loss!!!!:drinker: :drinker: :drinker:

FC

That was one of my main hurdles I overcame. Arby's is like crack to me.:ohwell:

What I did learn along the way, was that I could make my own healthier versions of their product. Take, for example, an Arby's Beef N' Cheddar. I make one that tastes identical with way lower calories. Pizza and hamburgers (made with ground turkey) can be made at home and taste just as good (if not better) than the fast food version.

When you do this, you don't feel as if you are being deprived. Not one iota.

Experiment a little and see what you can come up with.:happy:

Hi my name is Annemarie and I am a fast food-aholic. I crave it constantly. I want it in my dreams. I do let myself have something now and them but for me it's like a crack addiction.


for me it's emotional. all the fat and carbs in it makes it a major comfort food for me. it's so hard sometimes. I think it's harder for me than not smoking. sad huh?I hope it gets easier

Yes, fat food...I mean fast food is very addicting. If you get a chance, rent Supersize Me. It is a documentary about what fast food actually does to your body. VERY informative. It really helped me to overcome most of my fast food cravings. Oh...and if you get this, watch all of the extras. There is a very scary experiement with the preservatives that go into the food!
Another tool I used to get over the addiction was the book "Fast Food Nation" by Eric Schlosser. It was a real eye opener about the entire FF industry.

I was the same way when I started my new lifestyle.

Now, I eat fast food every now and then. But most often than not, it is too greasy and makes me sick.

Soupy is absolutely right about the homemade versions...they taste so much better and are waaaaaaaaay better for you.

Cravings?? This too shall pass. :drinker:

The same thing happens to me if I eat anything greasy!

It's amazing!

And I agree about homemade versions too. I make plenty of great food at home(burgers, fries, breakfast sandwiches, etc) and it tastes great and isn't greasy!

I've been at this for about a week and a half, and I too was going to fast food restaurants WAY too often beforehand. I think its ok to let yourself go once in a while, but do it in a smart way.

For example, pre-diet, I would have gone to chick-fil-a or whataburger and gotten a full meal. Sandwhich, fries, soda, and maybe a shake! gah!

Now? If I REALLY want fast food, I'll look up the info on the website first. Find something that's not insanely bad in calories and get that ONE item. It satisfies the craving and I stay within my calories.

This past Monday I went to chick-fil-a and got a chicken sandwich (with no butter added). Took it home and had it with corn on the cob and a salad. I was SUPER satisfied, and my fast food craving is temporarily gone. yay!