Everyday Systems

I just posted a link to a discussion between Mark Bittman and Ezra Klein. One of the things they discuss is the availability of snack and junk foods. We eat so much of it because it's always available. The most obvious thing to do is make it less available. One thing would be to take vending machines out of work places and schools. One is less likely to consume the snacks if you have to get up and go to a store to get them than if they're readily available in a vending machine.

I use this myself. I keep no junk/snacks at home. I might get a craving for something, but I'm not likely to get in the car and drive to the store to get them.

Putting things (like Christmas cookies, for instance) accomplishes almost the same thing. They're out of sight and I just don't think about them.

Over time I've read that a lot of people here keep them available for spouses or kids. They don't need them either. Keep available and accessible things like cut up fruits and veggies. Something they can just grab and eat. That's probably one of the only good ideas the professionals have come up with!

I find that I do best if I keep the tempting junk out of the house. I save it for the weekend and make a trip to the store if I want something. I usually only get enough for that day or meal if I can, then make myself go back again if I want more. If my kids want something I know I will have trouble not eating (like frosted cookies), I tell them we will get some on the weekend. It works pretty well most of the time.

For a while, if I wanted something sweet on the weekend, I forced myself to make it from scratch at home, working with what I had in the cupboards at the time. This worked great when I had a lot of apples from my tree. The kids appreciated the apple crisps, and I am sure it is better for you than frosted cookies from the grocery store bakery.

During the week, I discovered that it works great to put ALL food out of sight (except when eating, of course). My kitchen is right in the middle of my house. I either have to look at it all day or walk through it to get anywhere else. SO, passing the leftover muffins on the counter 12+ times after dinner is a little too much temptation for me at the end of the day. When it's out of sight, it is easier to forget about it and go on with life.

I absolutely agree. Out of sight, out of mind.

The days I have most trouble are those in which the "food cues" are unrelenting (usually at meetings with a sideboard of junk all day).

At home, I don't buy junky stuff, and I keep most food in the fridge or panty. (The exception is that bread - and sometimes fruit - is on the counter. But even that's pushed back in a corner.) It's better for the whole family - I don't want my kid developing the habit of eating junk (though that's hard to avoid in this culture - mostly, I limit quantities at home). And though my husband could of course buy what he wants, he's generally on board with not having junk around as long as there's real food. He snacks on nuts or yogurt or fruit or leftovers, and sometimes ice cream (which I'm not attracted to at all once the temp drops below 85F), or he takes stuff to work.

I confess that there is a candy basket for all the candy that kids seem to accrue throughout the year (Easter, Halloween, Valentine's, etc.) It sits high on top of the fridge, and I mostly ignore it - it belongs to my son. He can have one piece after dinner as dessert, but it's not mine and I don't touch it. (This arrangement would not have been possible before No-S, btw.)

And since I've started baking on weekends, a lot of the standard junk has lost its appeal anyway.

I think of it as creating a "No-S-friendly environment."

I seem go go in streaks where I refuse to let myself even go down the junk food isle of the grocery store. I've been headed down there too much lately. Thanks for that reminder! And, I'm headed to the kitchen to hide stuff right now! Thanks!