If It's In Your House...

This quote was a real eye opener for me. I didn’t realize how compelling any foods that are non-compliant can be until I was put to the test. I speak about this in my book BREAK THE CYCLE.

​My husband doesn't eat like me. In general, though he eats pretty well. But he has his own treat box which I fill with foods I am not particularly attracted to. That said, there have been times that just knowing that they are there calling me can mess with my head and my resolve. So, I won't buy those treats to avoid temptation.

Once you decide to eat this way, it is so much easier and less stressful to keep those fattening foods out of the house. So, clean out your kitchen and keep it clean. Stock up on lots of unprocessed foods and keep your fridge full.

As a reminder, compliant foods are fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes. These are prepared without sugar, flour and salt.  All the recipes on my website are compliant.  Go here for ideas: www.karenwarwickrhn.com.

• Make sure you have plenty of compliant foods ready to go. Keep your fridge stocked with prepped vegetables and fresh fruit.

• Have lots of satisfying starches ready to heat up and eat. Bulk cook potatoes, sweet potatoes and rice or other grains so you just have to heat them up.

• Always, always, always shop with a list from a weekly menu plan.

• Stay away from stores and aisles that are big triggers for you.

HALT

I actually read about this acronym in a book about Texas Hold’em poker. It works well for food addiction and staying compliant.

Do not shop or go to a drive thru when you are:

• Hungry – Always shop on a full stomach so you won’t be tempted to buy something that shouldn’t be in your house.

• Angry – You are more impulse then. You are not in a good place to make rational food decisions. You are not acting in your best interest to reach your goals. Wait until you cool down before you put anything in your mouth or shopping cart that you will regret.

• Lonely – Food addiction is so isolating anyway. Call a friend and go for a walk. Get out around people in a place that is non-food related.

• Tired - Lots of people break the resolve in the late afternoon or at night when they are just over tired. This is the time to get rest, not stuff your face. Take a nap, go to bed and get a solid 8 hours in.

Make a deal with yourself. Before you buy/eat something non-compliant you will go home and eat a nice, big compliant meal. You will be surprised how you are now longer tempted once your belly is full of satisfying starches.

HALLOWEEN

This is particularly relevant with Halloween approaching. In this instance, you have to know yourself REALLY WELL. In some cases, you might be okay to buy Halloween candy and treats as long as you:

• Hide them from yourself and others – if they are out of the line of sight, you will hopefully forget about them. Do NOT let anyone in the house break the seal on the box or bag. Once the box is open, it is much harder to resist. And that candy will be calling to you day and night.

• Eat a dinner and include lots of satiating starches before the kids get there.

• Don’t open the box before the time you are actually giving them out.

• Whatever is left over, give away the next day. Take them to work or give them to someone who has lots of kids.

But if it is early days in your processed food addiction recovery, do NOT bring any treats into your house.

So, in general, keep your environment clean to help protect your food sobriety. Remember the acronym HALT to assess yourself on why you may want to eat non-compliant foods. And know yourself. Have a plan for special occasions where non-compliant foods are within reach.