Why Can’t I Stop Eating Sugar and Junk Food?

When the rooster crows, what makes you wake up and start your day? When the traffic signal turns red, what makes you press the brakes and stop your car?

If you ignore the sunlight and stay in bed all day, it’s possible that you might lose your job or home and your family will starve. You’d better stop when the traffic signal turns red because you might get hit by another vehicle or get a costly traffic ticket if you don’t.

When there are dangerous and immediate consequences it’s easy to choose wisely. The consequences of chronic sugar consumption are subtle and that means you can eat a bag of cookies everyday for a year and you might not notice what it’s doing to you (especially if you’re also drinking a liter of soda pop and noshing on a candy bar at the same time).

So, why can’t you stop eating sugar and junk food? The answer is simple; you don’t really want to stop.

You claim it’s because you’re addicted (which you may very well be) or that sweets have a magical power over you. Whatever. It’s you. You choose to eat the stuff. Instead of asking yourself, “Why can’t I stop,” ask yourself, “Why don’t I want to stop?” You’ll get far more interesting answers.

The best time to ask yourself why you’re doing it is when you’re struggling with sugar abstinence and you’re debating whether or not to have just one small, sugary snack.

It took me years to realize that I enjoyed eating junk food. I enjoyed the escape from reality that they provided for me. I willingly partook in the rituals that surrounded my sweet consumption. Years of positive reinforcement told me I was doing the right thing. I was using sugar as a coping mechanism for things I did not want to deal with.

Yes, we can point fingers at the sugar pushers who make the junk food, the mind-numbing advertising, the government subsidies, and the availability of affordable junk food everywhere. But none of those things hold us down, take the money from our pockets, and force sugar down our throats. Sugar pushers thrive on our personal choices.

Just as your excessive sugar consumption didn’t happen overnight, your change from a sugar freak to an anti-sugar warrior won’t happen quickly. In fact, it will only happen when you’re ready to begin down that road. The path is well worn. It’s ready and waiting for you. When you’re ready, you’ll find your way there by taking one step at a time.

Comments · Why Can’t I Stop Eating Sugar and Junk Food?

Add Your Reply

Previous/Next Post