How To Break Up With Junk Food

Summary

The article outlines strategies for overcoming the temptation of junk food by establishing routines like intermittent fasting, being mindful of cravings, and avoiding the purchase of unhealthy snacks.

Abstract

The article "How To Break Up With Junk Food" discusses the challenges of resisting unhealthy food temptations throughout the day. It emphasizes the importance of structured eating habits, such as intermittent fasting, to reduce the likelihood of giving in to junk food cravings. The author acknowledges that even with fasting, the allure of junk food persists, and awareness remains crucial. The article suggests that quickly satisfying hunger with healthy options can help, but cautions against using seemingly healthy alternatives, like protein bars, as a means to feed cravings. It portrays the struggle as a mind game, advocating for mental strategies to combat temptations and reinforce self-respect. The most vulnerable time for the author is a few hours after dinner, highlighting the need for vigilance during relaxation periods. The article recommends a zero-tolerance approach to junk food, including not bringing it into the home, to maintain a commitment to healthier eating habits.

Opinions

The author views junk food as an unwanted, persistent presence that one must actively resist.
Intermittent fasting is presented as a beneficial tool for avoiding morning junk food cravings.
The author considers awareness of one's actions and thoughts essential in the battle against junk food temptations.
Protein bars and similar items are seen as junk food if used to satisfy cravings rather than for their nutritional value.
The article suggests that the real battle with junk food is in the mind, requiring mental discipline and self-talk to overcome temptation.
The time after dinner is considered particularly challenging, with entertainment like TV and Netflix exacerbating vulnerability to junk food cravings.
The author advises readers to be firm and decisive in rejecting junk food, likening it to issuing a restraining order against an unwelcome presence.
Preventing junk food from entering one's home is seen as a practical and effective strategy for avoiding temptation.
The article conveys that breaking up with junk food is difficult but achievable with the right mindset and commitment.

Don't Give In.

In the mornings, it's easier to ignore him because I'm most often on an intermittent fast that doesn't start until noon. Just having that structure in place makes it easier to say no. In the past, when I wasn't fasting, I would often find myself caving into his whispers of, "One little bite isn't going to kill you. It's not even that much." Of course, it was seldom just one little bite when I gave in because one always leads to two, three, and so on. If I'd eat a few crackers, or whatever was the temptation, the following phrase out of his mouth was something like, "Well, you've blown it now. A few more aren't going to make much of a difference." And I'd find myself having just a "few" more. Intermittent fasting has given me an excellent reason for saying no to that voice in the morning. However, even when fasting, his presence is still a distraction, and I notice how my mind (and my hands) seems to be drawn toward my old weaknesses, sometimes without even being aware of it at first. Awareness is one of the keys to successfully breaking up with junk food.

Thirty Minutes Later

At lunch, I usually have a large, pre-made salad so I can quickly dive in and satisfy those cravings with healthy food. That doesn't mean he isn't there trying to get my attention. However, my lunch choices usually fill me up and satisfy my taste buds. It's the thirty minutes after the meal that he likes to pop into my head and suggest I hunt down a protein bar or something. Now, you may be saying, "Wait, a protein bar isn't junk food." But to me, it is if you're using it to fill that craving and not as a purposeful solution for getting more protein. What happens to me is that if I compromise with the protein bar at that moment, I more easily justify it or something else later in the day.

It's One Big Mind Game

So much of getting rid of that pesky, little junk food voice is realizing most of it is a mind game. The mind is where the real battles are won and lost. But how do you stop the noise? What can you do when you hear phrases like, "A simple, vanilla soft serve ice cream cone at Mcdonald's is just minutes away. You have cash in your wallet. No one needs to know." Don't take that. Fireback with, "This is why I'm breaking up with you. I'm not a liar and a sneak. I have too much respect for myself." Then mentally kick him out of the car. You don't even need to slow down or pull over. Out he goes!

The Most Challenging Part of the Day

Let's move to the most challenging part of the day for me. I'd say it's a few hours after dinner when I'm trying to wind down and relax. If I sit down in front of the TV or computer and start to watch sports, Netflix, or something similar, it's at that moment when I'm the most vulnerable. I notice that the excuses and rationalizations come much easier.

What's the time of day when you struggle the most with junk food?

So, what can you do about it? Get a restraining order. Let this creep know that you don't want to hear from him again. When he shows up with those temptations, let him know he's not welcome, and you've called the food cops on him. Then walk away or go back to what you were doing. Like anyone who's a bad influence, you don't argue or even give them a chance to say another word. Show him the door.

Just say no!

Finally, the best solution is to say "no" at the grocery store. Don't even let it into your home. If it's not there to tempt you, it's harder for him to win.

As the song goes, breaking up is hard to do. That's especially true with your old flame named junk food. So remember, awareness is key, followed by winning the mind games and a strong commitment to yourself.