How do you fight the urge to eat McDonald's and other fast food?
Posted by DescriptionFuture851@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 85 comments
For years now, I (28m) have always had a pizza on a Friday/Saturday night, it's just regular at this point.
I'm in pretty okay shape, work a physically demanding job and overall eat quite healthy.
I know eating fast food once a week won't exactly kill me or anything, but my lazy arse can't be bothered to walk down Asda and get some "healthy" food.
I'm trying to take my health more seriously as I get older, but once you get a McDonald's on your mind, it's hard to think of anything else.
Phil1889Blades@reddit
I don’t. Never have, never will.
Traditional-Win354@reddit
You’ve never ate fast food? Or never had the urge to?
Phil1889Blades@reddit
I haven’t had any fast food as such for over 20 years. Never had an urge to either. It’s rubbish.
Traditional-Win354@reddit
Out of curiosity, do you live near fast food places or not?
Because when I lived with my parents it was easy to avoid temptation as the selection was shite, but when I lived close to them, it was too easy, I’d get them all the time.
Phil1889Blades@reddit
I live near and drive pass lots of them, most days.
bobbyroberts72@reddit
Once you cut it out for a while, when you go back you realise how tasteless most of it is. Your brain gets used to it and tricks you in to thinking it tastes nice.
McDonalds is just crap in general, our local the food is lukewarm by the time it gets to your table and really isn’t worth eating.
You can make your own pizza very easily and it will taste so much better.
If you start making your own “takeaways” it might be a good substitute for the “real” deal.
Only two things I enjoy eating but struggle with making at home is a decent curry and a kebab shop hamburger so do have a takeaway curry now and then, the price of the kebab burger these days is enough to put me off buying it.
OhioRizzGyattSkibidi@reddit
MantisToboggan25@reddit
Saying these two statements is not contradictory- you do realise that, right?
OhioRizzGyattSkibidi@reddit
ah yes, kebab shop burgers - notoriously known for their quality
MantisToboggan25@reddit
Okay clearly you’re not getting this.
Just because he/she doesn’t eat Mcdonalds and thinks it’s crap, doesn’t automatically mean that they eat kebab shop burgers because they think they are good quality. They eat them because they prefer the taste of them (like they said). They probably know very well that they’re also crap.
If they said “Mcdonalds is just crap, unlike kebab shop burgers” then your argument would make sense.
bobbyroberts72@reddit
Yeah I know!
I think it’s nostalgia from teenage years down the pub followed by a burger from the local kebab place.
PomPomBumblebee@reddit
It tastes like shit cold so I never get it delivered.
If I'm having a Maccas its a part of my plan for the day or a treat in passing. I'm not a huge fan of the food but every now and then I just want a double cheeseburger and some fries, none of that fancy crap. I used to love the chicken tenders but they got rid of the sour cream sauce it came with so that was that, I rarely bother now.
My husband and I are currently on Mounjaro and because of that expense and the smaller urge to eat, we just don't feel like it as it's so expensive now, especially eating out. My husband is home before me and often cooks and gets everything ready for me moments before I get home. He often gets Tesco on Whoosh delivery half the time we fancy takeaway, we end up agreeing we'll just make something.
We used to get take out once a week, now maybe 2 times a month but we prefer to eat out instead when we can. Usually near pay day and once planned or when our and about.
Mounjaro is expensive but we eat way less because of it (mostly live off a Huel milkshake weekdays which cost £3 when I can stomach eating something) then a batch of something most of the week that would last a couple of days before now lasts nearly a week but longer as we freeze a lot of it.
SaltyName8341@reddit
Because it tastes like shit
Illustrious-Yam8744@reddit
Personally I'd rather starve to death than eat McD
SaltyName8341@reddit
Tbf with their portions you could do both
Legitimate-Whole1760@reddit
With all due respect…you’re wrong 😅
Illustrious-Yam8744@reddit
You'd probably eat a tramps slipper if it was served in a bun
n0p_sled@reddit
I had this problem until I made peace with it.
Fast food is an ultra processed food and will contribute to a number of health issues.
The companies that sell fast food / Deliveroo / Just Eat food are not selling food, they're selling marketing and they do not care about your health, they just want to make money.
To combat this, I installed a calorie counter app and recorded each meal, which made me realise how calorific these meals are, and what impact they were having on my health and weight.
I rarely have a fast food now, but when I do, I make sure to indulge as a managed one off.
... And it's always a dirty doner kebab
bambaveli@reddit
There’s not much wrong with 1 or 2 cheat meals a week, but If you start eating truly ‘clean’ (whole foods only), after a couple of months you’ll find that you have no cravings for McDonald’s and if you ate a meal from there you’d actually dislike it.
InsaneInTheRAMdrain@reddit
This is called a lack of self control.
Most people of the last 20 years have been living the life of, i can just get this now. Over convenience has made people weak as fuck to impulse control.
How do you beat it? You just choose to do the thing with 3 more steps and stop being a lazy bitch. On the plus side, the slightly harder path (usually) will massively increase your quality of life and makes doing other things way easier.
The alternative is to keep giving into those base urges and die in a decade from an endless possible string of diseases / illnesses, after also living said decade with other chronic illnesses.
You're at the age where not all illnesses will just "pass" not all injuries will just heal. And once most people notice this, its already too late.
Jake613@reddit
Try a really good burger. Not necessarily stupidly expensive, just a really good, hand made one, with a decent bun. Then next week try the McD. It might not cure you overnight but hopefully you’ll realise how ’meh’ the McD is vs the real thing. Then a good burger will be a rare treat.
superjambi@reddit
Trying to quit or wean yourself off anything is about creating friction.
I used to spend a lot on Uber eats I moved into an apartment building where the riders can never easily find my door, I haven't ordered Uber eats now in over a year.
KingStevoI@reddit
Imagine someone spitting in your food.
Not saying many places do it but had this at a McDonalds around 15 years ago and have never touched a fast food restraunt since.
ItsNotAboutThe-Pasta@reddit
Have a good meal before you go out and leave easy to eat food at home for after. But yeah one takeaway a week isn't bad it's nice to have a lazy treat. Most Mondays I get myself a bacon roll from Greggs.
cragglerock93@reddit
Honestly, cost and laziness. I don't drive and most takeaways are quite far away from me. So it's either an hour long round trip on foot or a £4 delivery fee and I balk at both of those. If I had a chip shop or a Chinese downstairs I'd find resistance harder.
qash001@reddit
How anyone is justifying the cost of McDonald's today is beyond me. Unless it's quick food in a bind I've got no desire to take out a mortgage to pay for low quality food that one used to be referred to as "cheap and cheerful". Absolute murder these days.
DescriptionFuture851@reddit (OP)
I live at home.
£20 for a two burgers, 20 chicken nuggets and fries isn't the issue. The unhealthy food is the issue.
PhysicsForeign1634@reddit
How many people are you buying the food for? It sounds like three from the quantities you listed.
DescriptionFuture851@reddit (OP)
Myself.
Puzzled-Barnacle-200@reddit
It would be far less unhealthy if you just had one burger and fries. Maybe that's the moderation you should aim for, rather than less frequent?
SteveHMMA@reddit
No food is inherently “unhealthy” it’s all to do with the calories, and to go one step further macros.
If between the active lifestyle, and your natural BMR. You can make McDonald’s fit into your calories, then you’re fine to have it.
Obviously there are better nutritional choices, but “healthy eating” should also contain things you enjoy eating, or it can become very hard to stick to.
TLDR: if it fits into your calories, and you want it. Have it.
qash001@reddit
Have you looked at the calorie and nutrition content of that food? If you can fit that in with an otherwise healthy diet then do it. I'd rather not pay a fortune for ultra processed preservative riddled junk. It is essentially junk.
miIk-skin@reddit
I'm taking wegovy lol
norfolkandclue@reddit
I refuse to spend my money on food like that when I can make a big batch of meals that tastes better, costs less and is healthier for me.
SaucyRagu96@reddit
The more healthily you eat. The less you crave junk food. In times of eating lots of sugar and simple carbs I have an urge to eat more.
And feel very hungry, like for example I could have eaten a massive stir fry to fix my hunger, and my stomach would feel full. But I wouldn't feel physically satisfied until I'd eat some white bread or some crisps
If I'm not mistaken it's because the gut bacteria crave the simple sugars.
The first couple of days of eating healthier after eating like shit I'm just very hungry.
Someone correct me if I'm wrong
A good test to see if you're hungry is, if you wouldn't eat a plate of broccoli to fill your hunger, you're not really hungry. You're just having a craving food.
PhysTech9@reddit
Mostly due to working there as a uni student, after having it near on every day each summer for 3 and a bit years (and then making use of my staff discount when at uni) I got sick of it and only really ever have a breakfast these days if I'm too hungover to care.
Bounty_drillah@reddit
Stop eating it for a few months and you won't enjoy it once you switch back. I stopped eating it in my early-20s because I didn't have one nearby, when I finally ate it again it felt horrible.
Also helps that the one near me is full of crackheads and gormless broccoli head teens.
DinkyPrincess@reddit
I’ve not had one since 2011 after MyChem at Wembley Arena.
Even then it was fries at Waterloo because it was 2 hours til the last train.
TBH I never really want McD or BK or whatever. That’s like a hostage situation.
If I get takeout I prefer the local independent places that make fresh bao buns etc. just something delicious that feels like food.
I don’t think paying OTT prices for mediocre burgers is very enticing for me.
Ok_Young1709@reddit
Just have it. If it's once in a while, who cares? If it's every day you've got a problem, but once a week or month, just get it.
I get one if I have a craving because why not?
OhioRizzGyattSkibidi@reddit
Sunshine_cutie4@reddit
Cos I’m boycotting McDonalds
Suspicious-Case3861@reddit
I don't think a pizza a week is unhealthy BUT. Make your own. Use low flat mozzarella even if you want them frequently olive oil, tomatoes, garlic onion salt.
I guess what I'm saying is don't fight the urge just don't eat crap 😊
Purp1eMagpie@reddit
Nothing at all wrong with a takeaway once a week
Poison_Regal31@reddit
I just think its not worth the price, all those calories and they rarely taste that nice.
Choccybizzle@reddit
I’m a sucker for their toffee lattes on the way to work in the mornings. And I’ll treat myself to a flatbread once I have the points on my app.
Once a week is fine. I normally cut McDonald’s out on/from work in Jan for my New Year’s resolution
Sweet-Pay8539@reddit
Self control
AlarmingCash754@reddit
McDonald’s has ALWAYS been my go to from such a young age and I wish I hadn’t given the company so much of my money. As of the last year, I’ve been cooking a lot more at home and having alternative snacks that taste great and are more healthy and it’s really helped. When I see a fridge packed with food, it forces me to eat what’s there. Obviously, from time to time I’ll have it but nowhere as much as before. Saved a bunch more money too.
lloydmcallister@reddit
It’s a fukin fortune and I’m always disappointed, even local takeaways are going downhill.
Jpmoz999@reddit
I only ever eat one thing there. The sausage and egg McMuffin. Once a month, if that. Other than that? I’d much rather spend the money on better quality stuff, McDonalds is expensive for what it is. It’s a treat, that’s how I look at it.
First_Report6445@reddit
McDonald's have started selling food?!
No-Pack-5775@reddit
Such an uninspiring choice of poison 😂
reddituser040195@reddit
Me and my partner were soooo bad for eating takeaways at one point. We started cooking together at home and haven’t looked back since and when we do occasionally have one, we realise how shit it is.
Do you have someone you can share cooking with?
TomfromLondon@reddit
Make a decent burger at home!
dianthuspetals@reddit
Price, quality and taste, not necessarily in that order. It's easy to make a good quality burger with whatever toppings you fancy. Pizza is also easy and cheap to make once you know how.
The only thing I struggle with is the occasional craving for a Chinese, but they are so expensive these days and the quality is very hit and miss so it's not worth the risk.
jonsey_j@reddit
By learning to make good food at home with some easy quick cheats. A saving goal also helps
PatLuckysDad@reddit
I recently deleted all fast food apps from my phone. Just that barrier of making it harder to order has stopped me eating it as much.
idk7643@reddit
I batch cook food and freeze in portions. That way I only have to cook/clean my kitchen once per week, and I have a selection of different meals ready.
Every evening I just put one out on the counter, and in the morning it's defrosted and ready for the microwave at noon.
You can freeze in basically anything. With pasta you just have to make sure to under-cook it slightly
Nathanial1289@reddit
Being previously pre-diabetic
EyeAware3519@reddit
I get no pleasure from eating food that tastes like shit.
BingeLurker@reddit
I actually make Friday (unless I know I’m eating out another time) my takeaway night. Gives me something to look forward to. I also Parkrun on Saturday so that burns a fair bit off.
Deep_Banana_6521@reddit
I last ate McDonalds 7 years ago because it was the only thing available at the time after a concert in the middle of nowhere. I got 20 nuggets and I remember how soft they were, so soft I only needed to press them on the roof of my mouth to "chew". Can't say I miss it.
Nearest thing to fast food I get is a roast pork sandwich, shawarma or a greggs.
ouzo84@reddit
I had to walk past one today after dropping my car off at the garage. I could smell it a quarter of a mile away.
My FWB said they would send me a nude if i didn't go in, after I explained my temptation.
It worked... well worth it.
Upstairs_Yogurt_5208@reddit
I’ve not eaten McDonald’s, Burger King, KFC, or any other fast food for years and I don’t miss it. All I have to do is smell the grease and it’s enough to turn my stomach. Once you abstain for long enough you realise how disgusting it actually is. I don’t even eat crisps anymore because all I taste is oil
Dissidant@reddit
Only take away thing I am remotely keen on is the curry sauce and I can make that myself
Don't enjoy fast food at all, fussy but in a good way
RaymondBumcheese@reddit
Slightly anti-British but I absolutely despise queuing so they are really doing me a solid by cutting corners to the point that it’s not ‘fast’ food anymore.
Add the in all the price increases and barely any junk food is worth waiting for anymore.
TLDR: I’m impatient
quurios-quacker@reddit
Because fast food makes me feel like crap. I don't eat incredibly healthy but McDonald's I always regret.
Traditional-Win354@reddit
I’m too cheap. I’d rather cook than spend the money. Especially since they’re all so expensive nowadays.
Direct_Instance_8655@reddit
Honestly, just get your McDonald's and enjoy life.
NatureConnectedBeing@reddit
Learn not to hate yourself.
RBisoldandtired@reddit
They’re mostly doing the job for me by making all their food horrendously shite compared to how it was and making it almost 3 times as expensive as pre pandemic.
Not saying I won’t occasionally order something if I’m under the weather or really really can’t be arsed. But I am finding it harder and harder to even want a takeaway cos the quality and price are so poor. Especially with delivery since most traditional fast food does not travel well at all.
If I was passing a McDonald’s and was going to eat it there and then I might grab something.
Have started making sure I buy myself something when I’m getting my shopping that’s quick and easy to make but also a bit indulgent. I’d rather buy a £10 fat fuck of a steak and a beer or two than spend £15 on a McDonald’s meal and delivery.
JuniperScents@reddit
Yeah I was like that with Chinese takeaway, but it closed down and I got over it. Mmmmm tons of Chinese fried salt & pepper wings and greasy rice.
ember_eb@reddit
A) getting just out of the habit B) making good versions of fast food yourself for cheaper. I make a wayyyy better burger and fries than macdonalds . Also just always having ‘fast food’ style meals in the freezer because it scratches the itch and is so much quicker and cheaper.
That said when I lived in a city I ordered food in once a week because so many options were available- now I’m in a town it’s not as alluring and I’d rather the speed and frugality of cooking myself.
When I’m reaaaallly hungover tho it all goes out the window
JDT33658@reddit
Start looking up things to cook on tiktok. I'm in college and have fast food way too much because it's so easy. I have limited myself to spending £20 weekly on food from the college cafe and fast food. At home I cook now. Once you start making nice things you realise how shit fast food actually tastes.
Don't cut it out all at once because fast food genuinely can be an addiction. It was for me. You will fail if you cut it out all together. Allow yourself one or two cheats a week and slowly decrease it. My favourite thing to cook at the moment is garlic butter chicken with truffle fries.
MadJen1979@reddit
McDonald's tastes like shite anyway. Weird greasy after-taste. I used to love a McDonald's when I was a kid as well... not any more.
ImmediatePiano6690@reddit
I look at my bank account.
ClevelandWomble@reddit
All that makes it popular is salt, fat and sugar. We have those at home and can cook better food at a fraction of the price.
shak_0508@reddit
That’s completely fine to do
MeesterMartinho@reddit
The last one I bought was enough to put me off them.
Total shitflation nonsense these days.
Chopsticks_Charlie@reddit
When you realise how much they're pulling your pants down and how shite it actually is you'll be okay
Mr_Unbreakable_@reddit
'' my lazy arse can't be bothered to walk down Asda and get some "healthy" food''
If you can cook tasty food then you realise that McDonalds taste like dog food.
Sweet_Confusion9180@reddit
By living an hour away from the nearest one 🤷♀️
Sweet_Confusion9180@reddit
But, on a serious note - I think everything like that is OK in moderation. It's OK to have a take awya on a friday night. Especially if you itherwise eat healthy and get regular exercise.
callendoor@reddit
I go for a 30+ brisk walk. The last thing I want is fast food after that.
Equivalent-Rush7844@reddit
Don’t buy American is a good start
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