Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Forbidden Foods

I am getting real with myself and my food addiction.

It sucks.

It has made me SUPER emotional and that is a good thing.  I need to get to the root of my issues.

Food has always been a coping mechanism for me.  I use it as a drug.  To escape reality.  To soothe myself.  It is my sanctuary.

One of my recent discoveries has been shocking.  In therapy, I have had to identify my trigger foods and as I have shared before...they aren't even things I necessarily like.  They are:

Wheat Thins
Triscuits
Pepperidge Farm Cookies (Butter and Milano)
Cereal
Granola Bars
Nuts
White Bread

Other things I really LOVE like pizza, Cheetos, and candy are an indulgence and I actually do not think of them in a negative light.  These items are rarely in the house and are not unhealthy things for me passing for heathy (like some of the items above), so I can clearly identify their potential damage for me if I eat them in excess.

I know I can handle a splurge from time to time if I plan for it and let myself let go and enjoy it within moderation.

One of the things I have recently learned is that everyone is so different with what triggers them.  A binge food for me may be a safe and nutritious food for someone else.  Binging is super personal and foods that make people spiral range from fruit to double bacon cheeseburgers.  The addiction is my own, so the solution has to be my own as well.

The items I listed above are foods that have always been in my parents' home.  From my earliest memories these are the foods we had to grab in the pantry.  My parents didn't believe in real junk (potato chips, soda, Hostess cakes), so when I started to binge actively in third grade, these are the snacks I stuffed myself with.  Over the last 18 months, these are the same items that have been tripping me up time and time again.

I made a major breakthrough in my eating therapy last week.  I just have to avoid these foods.  Since I do not even like these items that much, giving them up isn't that hard.  I just have to stay present and know that the snack shelf in the pantry isn't my shelf.  It belongs to my parents.  When I go back to my independent life, these items will never be in the house and now that I know how damaging they are for me, I will never buy them.

Since I rebooted my WeightWatchers, I have been eating real whole foods with little treats thrown in here and there.  Here is an example of a typical eating day for me:

Breakfast #1 (Pre-Workout):
- 2 light string cheeses
- 1 Nonfat Greek yogurt
- Iced coffee with 2 tablespoons half and half and 1 tablespoon vanilla syrup

Breakfast #2 (Post-Workout):
- 1 slice American cheese
- 3 egg whites cooked in 1 tablespoon real butter

Lunch:
- 5 ounces of breaded chicken cutlet (skinless, boneless breast) cooked in 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- Sliced tomatoes, cucumber, carrots
- Steamed corn on the cob and zucchini

Snack:
- Fruit smoothie made with fresh frozen fruit (nectarine, peach, berries, banana), 1 cup skim milk, 1 tablespoon vanilla syrup

Dinner:
- 4 ounces of grilled hanger steak
- Sliced tomatoes, cucumber, carrots
- 1 medium baked potato with 1 tablespoon real butter and 1 tablespoon real sour cream

Dessert:
- 1 vanilla ice cream dixie cup
- 1 cup cherries

Happy Tuesday!!!!





8 comments:

  1. Did you notice that most of your trigger foods are white starchy carbohydrates? Crackers are a trigger for me, so I never eat them. I don't even think about them. Once I look at the ingredients list, I get grossed out. I rarely eat anything processed, oh its delicious, I admit that, but it seems like too many ingredients for a fucking cracker.

    I used to be heavily addicted to fast food, and would secretly eat. It was insane. I just stopped. I don't know if it was because I moved, or what it exactly was that got me to stop, but I just stopped one day. Probably because I was transitioning to a whole foods lifestyle and found it absolutely disgusting.

    I've gotten to a point that I cannot even eat flavored yogurt. Its too sweet. Which is odd, cuz I can kill a pint of Ben and Jerry's like no one's business. Apples and oranges I guess.

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    1. I just realized it. You are so right. Crackers are the biggest trigger for me.

      Props to you for breaking the fast food cycle. I find it super hard to resist sometimes. I love me a Big Mac, but I haven't had one in a while I whereas I work pizza into my weekly eating plans, I haven't yet for the drive thru.

      I have noticed things being too sweet. Like soda or the pudding cup I tried to eat a few days ago....but, ice cream....NEVER!!!!!

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  2. I noticed the same thing Danielle did about trigger foods! I thought about my own, which is way more chocolate-heavy, funny how we all have our vices.

    5 years ago when I had my massive weight loss, I quit chocolate and processed foods cold turkey. Now, as I'm on a quest to lose 10lbs, I think I'm going to re-do my list of trigger foods. It's changed in the past few years as my tastes have shifted.

    Keep up the good work!

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    1. Thank you!

      We all have our own vices!!!! Quitting is the most clean cut way I realized. I was always such a fan of moderation, but now I realize that some things (like crackers) I just have no control over. My triggers have changed, too. You will conquer those 10 lbs and look how far you have come. 10 pounds is nothing! I am staring now about another 40......

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  3. You've inspired me to identify my trigger foods and then keep them out of the house. Everyone has them. It just takes a lot of strength resist them when they become habits. You're doing great!

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    1. Thank you! I agree, it is a good idea to get the trigger food out as then there are no excuses. I no longer have the willpower I used to....wish I did!

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  4. My trigger foods: everything. Now that I am working out, I need to identify a list like yours and just cut it out. I cut out soda for a year and it was wonderful. Sugar...ah - the thought of it makes my mouth water and gut fall over my jeans. But I love it.

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    Replies
    1. I love sugar, too. Too too much, I LOVE it. But, I love salty as well. I just love me my food too darn much. I recently cut out the soda and I find myself feeling so much better, but there is nothing quite like a regular Coca Cola...especially with crushed ice.

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Tell me your truth and I will continue to tell you mine......