Overcoming My Junk Food Addiction

Earlier than I discovered to sustainably eat a whole food, plant-based (WFPB) diet freed from SOFAS (salt, oil, flour, alcohol, and sugar), my considering was cloudy, I had very low energy, I slept poorly, and on account of overeating, I used to be clinically overweight. In 2017, I used to be recognized with anxiousness, melancholy, PTSD, and bipolar dysfunction, however I had been battling signs of those psychological sicknesses for effectively over 20 years. My melancholy was typically introduced on by disgrace and centered round overeating and subsequent weight acquire.

I’d been a pescatarian since 2006, however my food plan consisted primarily of processed meals and I ate little or no complete plant meals. In 2015, I made a decision to eradicate seafood from my food plan, and a 12 months later, I joined Overeaters Nameless. For the primary time, I used to be relieved to listen to that my overeating was a illness and a dysfunction, and that it was not my fault. As a New 12 months’s decision, I challenged myself to eradicate dairy utterly and to solely eat meals that I mounted from scratch.

I solely made it 11 days earlier than consuming processed meals once more. I felt addicted, and I didn’t prefer it. It was then that I made a decision to dig in and begin researching what was behind these compulsions to overeat (and overeat junk, particularly).

In time, I found refined meals dependancy, in addition to different helpful ideas: SOFAS-free consuming, satiety index, the Pleasure Trap, and the significance of calorie density. I began making use of what I used to be studying. There have been a whole lot of challenges. Even being within the kitchen had been tough for me, earlier than. I had satisfied myself I couldn’t prepare dinner—that I didn’t understand how, and that I wasn’t able to studying. However as I utilized the data I used to be gaining, I started to note modifications.

My power stage elevated. The readability of my considering started to enhance. My skin complexion began clearing up. Irritation was beginning to disappear and my nails stopped splitting and I used to be losing weight at a tremendous pace. I grew to become a superb chef, and to my shock, I used to be now not being pushed by dependancy to processed meals. The longer I abstained from the meals that had hooked me earlier than, the much less my mind was calling out for them, and the extra freedom I gained in life.

Earlier than I discovered to sustainably eat a complete meals, plant-based (WFPB) food plan freed from SOFAS (salt, oil, flour, alcohol, and sugar), my considering was cloudy, I had very low power, I slept poorly, and on account of overeating, I used to be clinically overweight…However as I utilized the data I used to be gaining, I started to note modifications.

The journey hasn’t all the time been clean. Because of some heavy life trauma that got here my method in 2017, I used to be distracted away from my targets. However I couldn’t neglect the liberty I had loved, and I recommitted to consuming this fashion once more in January 2020. Even with out an exercise routine, I managed to lose 64 kilos in lower than 8 months, and I’ve efficiently saved it off since. In comparison with the place I used to be 20 years in the past, I’ve dropped a complete of 140 kilos.

Altering my food plan has reworked my life in so many extraordinary methods. My 18-year-old daughter has had a entrance row seat to this a part of my journey, and it has impressed her to see what’s doable for her personal well being. Additionally, on account of clearer considering, I’m now higher capable of acknowledge indicators and signs of my numerous psychological sicknesses. It’s elating to have the ability to acknowledge what’s taking place and really have the presence of thoughts to dramatically enhance my self-care.

By staying effectively hydrated, and making leafy greens and veggies my first meal of the day, I’ve been capable of lower my former cravings. Now, I simply eat at any time when my physique requires gasoline, and make a acutely aware effort to maintain it easy: fruit, veggies, complete grains, legumes, starch, and mushrooms.

To help others and to carry myself accountable, I’ve been transparently sharing my journey on the EatingForMyL1fe weblog and social media accounts. I’ve additionally written an eBook, Consuming For My L1fe (Salt, Oil, Flour, Alcohol, Sugar) Free Entire Meals Plant Unique: A Liberating Journey, and I do one-on-one personal teaching. At any time when I really feel like giving up, I remind myself how drained I used to be of the standard of life I had earlier than I made all these modifications, and the poor relationships I had with myself and my kids. One of many greatest classes I’ve discovered is how vital it’s to be sincere with myself—about being a refined meals addict, and what it entails to be in restoration. The perfect recommendation I may give to others is that they be straightforward with themselves, make the journey their very own, and take it one chunk at a time.