Cravings and Overeating

I received the book, The End of Overeating by Dr David Kressler the other day. One of the main things I struggle with is food cravings. I KNOW some foods are bad for me. I KNOW some foods are terrible for me. Does that stop me from eating them, most of the time? Yes. Does it stop me from eating them all of the time? No.

My main problem foods tend to be pizza, chocolate, tortilla chips with dip (usually artichoke and asiago) and sandwiches (like toasted tomato with mayo). You see the trend? Bread (carb) with cheese or sauce (fat) and salt. It's a delicious combination, isn't it?? And once I start, it's hard for me to stop. I'll have a few pieces of pizza, then I'll have half a chocolate Easter bunny, then I'll eat some ice cream...and it goes on. It needs to stop.

The book talks about why that combination (fat, sugar, salt) is so appealing. I've only just started reading it, but it's very insightful and I've learned a lot.

Mainly, I need to recognize (and I think I have) the difference between hunger and desire. For example, not even 20 minutes ago, I literally had the toaster out of the cupboards and in my hands, about to plug it in and throw some bread in there to make a toasted tomato sandwich. Nevermind the fact that this is a rest day, that I'm already over carbs for the day, nevermind the fact that I DON'T EAT BREAD, nevermind the fact that I KNOW I'll feel like shit if I eat it...I still wanted that instantaneous reward feeling going off in my brain.

It's sick I tell you...sick.

On another note, in speaking with a friend, I've realized there are three main condiments I really need to learn how to make myself, so I can control what goes into them: ketchup, BBQ sauce, and ranch dressing. Modern-day commercial versions are filled with soybean oil, canola oil, high-fructose corn syrup, MSG, artificial colours and flavours, and are packaged in plastic. I'm gonna get on that.