Addiction to Food

I was at support group yesterday, and we had a very good discussion on the addiction part of our (my) obesity problem and about how the addiction is still there after surgery.

The group shared some ideas on how to "combat" this, and I thought I would pass them on to help newbies like me (who have not yet had surgery) and to ask all you vets if you have any others "tricks" you want to share:

Ideas given were:
1)If you know your "trigger" - Pasta, bread, etc.. do not eat even a crumb for at least the first year or stay away from it all together.. (Sounds way to easier said than done!)

2)use small forks/ spoons. This forces you to think about each bit.  Take a small bit, then PUT DOWN THE FORK/SPOON

3)Use a smaller dish.  One lady at my support group purchased doll size plates, bowls etc to use. 

Any other helpful tips would be appreciated.  I am going to buy "baby utensils" to use after surgery.

Thanks in advance for the suggestions!

At support group they advised us to get baby utensils, and sippy cups for the first weeks after surgery.
And one friend even purchased new dinnerware for herself. Only ordered the salad plates.
I hvent had my surgery yet, but I am sure when others get back on OH later on you will have more responses to your post...

sounds like some good advice to me, in fact i was given the same advice.  also chew your food 25 times, this will not only draw out the time but also help your absorbtion process at the same time.  do not, i repeat, do not drink while u eat. very important. wait 30-45 minutes.  some even say to not drink 30 minutes before u eat.  good luck to you. vick

It is also very important to identify triggers other than just the carbs you love. Part of our food addictions are the comfort they bring to us. A way to fill our "hunger" that isn't a true physical hunger, but rather an emotional need being left unfulfilled. So we need to identify these things that make us seek comfort in food, try to fill them with our true needs, or find alternative ways to deal with filling the empty space within us, that isn't in our tummies.