Breaking Addictions
Breaking addictions is a big topic, and I refer you to Johann Hari’s book Chasing the Scream for a rewarding treatment of it. For food addictions like sugar, salt, oil and cheese, try these ideas:
- Some people do better gradually tapering off, some do better all-at-once. Do what works for you. I’m in the all-at-once group. A serving of meat is 3 ounces, and if I ate that, I would only want more. So I’m better off abstaining completely.
- Eating only foods you love that are healthy will reduce cravings for unhealthy junk.
- Commit in advance to doing without the craved item for a fixed period, at least two weeks. That won’t seem too daunting, and at the other end you will be reinforced by having made it so far without that thing you thought you couldn’t live without. If it’s pizza, for example, surely you can go two weeks without, correct?
- Indulge a craving with a small amount of a healthier substitute, not by “cheating” with the real thing. I eat my “ice cream” made from frozen bananas and cocoa powder just once a week.
- Nut-based cheeses are still very fattening, so eat them mindfully in small quantities. They are much healthier than commercial vegan cheese products that are mostly oil and chemicals.
