Do you practice abstenince from certain foods?

I think lots of people on this forum probably consider themselves food addicts.  I certainly do, along with some other negative behaviors.  My question is, do you keep certain foods (high fat, high sugar) completely off limits?

I have struggled with my weight all my life.  Several times I have lost all my excess weight, only to regain.  After surgery I lost it all, and have since, over the last 2 years, gained back just a little over half of it.  I have always gone back to my old habits eventually.  This time around I am going to do it differently.  I am going to completely abstain from the high sugar, high fat foods.  We all know what they are lol.  I am scared and excited at the same time.  Scared I can't do it, scared I will feel completely deprived.  I am excited to have a plan, to not worry about can I have that, maybe just a little, it's a special occasion et..  I have a plan to stick to.

Wondering what other's thoughts are.

Thanks

Such a very individual thing. At the extremes are people who have trigger foods, like sugar or other carbs. One mouthful and they can't stop. At the other extreme, people (like me) who know that deprivation of anything creates an obsession with it.

The first group need to avoid their trigger like poison; the second group need to have a little bit of everything in moderation. 

It is a case of knowing yourself. Or, if you are unsure, of trial and error.

Good luck! Hope it works for you!

Kate

Thanks Kate, you said it well.  I am sure I fall into the category of having trigger foods.  Foods I need to avoid at all costs.  I watched Biggest Looser this morning and the contestants were home for a 2 week period.  They showed them out to eat with family and friends, and several said no, can't eat that, I won't stop.  Actually that's what prompted me to start this thread.

Hi VIP
I am right there wih you on this one! I am a food addict, didn't realize it until I was 10 pounds from goal weight. Ex. I suffered from migraines for years! Hind site, I always felt better , no migraine pain if I was eating a comfort food. No pain! But then an hour or so later pain all over again. Good numbed me!

Now I abstain from processed carbs, I eat very clean!!!! Most I get any form of sugar is from my Greek yogurt, and I am reading label for traces of sugar in foods, I keep it minimal.

I see an eating disorder specialist. Who was a weigh****cher leader that would BINGE on the weekend! Of course she no longer does.

It's a process that for sure. Do I slip absolutely! Now I am more mindful and I sit with my feelings and acknowledge the uncomfortableness.

2 great books to read that address this topic
"The End of Over Eating " and "Mindless Eating" easy interesting information. But very eye opening. And the information from it has helped me quite abit!!!
Prek3

Thanks Prek3

I jotted down those books.  Your right it's a process.  I need to work on accepting little slips and picking myself right back up.  Once I slip, I tend to say the hell with it for a while.  Telling myself, starting x day I will eat clean.

For me, it's a delicate balance. If I put too many foods on my no-no list, I can end up with food boredom, and that way lies disaster. But I do best overall if I abstain from ice cream (pre-op, I would eat half a gallon every single night) and potato chips ("bet you can't eat just one!").

 

If its that time of the month I cant keep anything sweet or salty in the house because I will eat it .    Other times I do okay maybe not perfect but okay .

Im more like Kate   and her ways of thinking

   I was never a sweets eater to begin with so having sweets around the house dont trigger anything for me , unless it's that time of the month and I can eat chocolate  or sweets like there is no tomorrow .

I thought having soda around the house would bother me , I was a huge Pepsi drinker , but I have bottles of 2 litters sitting around the house all the time for the kids and I have no desire to drink it .  I just dont like it , its way to sweet for me yuck .

I guess I am lucky I dont have problems with sweets like many of you do and have to keep it out of the house .

This week its about that time of the month and I cant find nothing to eat to satisfy me and that always leads me to grazing to much .   The healthy foods just dont get it  , this time of the month lol

 

Pizza is my sweets.  I will sit there and eat pizza when I know I shouldnt be eating it , and I cant keep leftovers in the house.  Pizza has and always will be my downfall food. 

I am totally a food addict.  I stay away from my triggers.  Which are sweets...cookies, cakes, donuts, candy bars, ice cream.  Do I have some sometimes.  Yes (once a month I have a treat)...but I never buy a whole package any more, because I know I will eat till that package is gone.  So now when I do have a treat I will buy the individual pack...the one serving packs.  That's it no more.  I don't keep or bring this stuff into my house.  If for some reason it is in my house (because of a party) any and all left over will get thrown away.  I don't care about the waste!!! 

My treats now are healthier but satisfying to me.  One treat that I like...a banana cut up...2 tbs organic peanut butter...dark chocolate chips...I will put a little bit of peanut butter on the banana and one chocolate chip.   Then I freeze it.  It's very yummy and not as bad a ice cream.   

Yes, I have a listof trigger foods that are absolutely off limits.

i made the list 4 years ago with the help of OA and over time I have added some foods, but not taken any off the list.

i do not eat cookies, cake, candy, ice cream, pie, donuts, etc.

i tried for years to eat these moderately to no avail.  When I eat them they control my thoughts and my behavior.

it is easier to have none than to try to have some.

I want to add that I still eat sugar.

i eat Luna bars for a sweet fix .... Seem to have enough protein to keep me from craving more while still being sweet.

i eat pudding with whipped cream occasionally  and yogurt and fruit daily.

i get enough sweetness without the cravings for the baked goods that I used to binge on.