I really feel that love of chips too. My only solution has been to only bring them home on special occasions, like company coming over. Otherwise I’ll demolish an entire family-size bag alone.
I appreciate your section on the food diary and how each food makes a person feel. It’s work, but that information is well worth the time spent and helps make us aware of what we are doing to create or hurt our health.
After logging my own eating habits I’ve come to the unfortunate conclusion that any combination of ultra-processed food and hot peppers throws my whole intestinal tract in an uproar that lasts a couple days. Yet, spicy whole foods don’t do that to me. The food journal helped me figure that out, just one more reason to ditch processed food lol!
Love this! Personal experience is the best teacher. What an interesting discovery you have made.
I also find that I can tolerate small amounts of real hot peppers - I literally bring my Thai hot pepper plants into the house for the winter so I can keep harvesting them (but I dry a bunch too) - but processed "hot" foods make me feel sick and are virtually inedible for me.
That's awesome Jen! For me, like I say, the ONLY thing that worked was to stop buying them. I struggled for a bit but then I simply had to replace the snack with something better on hand. And after that hard one was done - the rest got easier. Success breeds success. Good luck and keep us posted!
I really feel that love of chips too. My only solution has been to only bring them home on special occasions, like company coming over. Otherwise I’ll demolish an entire family-size bag alone.
I appreciate your section on the food diary and how each food makes a person feel. It’s work, but that information is well worth the time spent and helps make us aware of what we are doing to create or hurt our health.
After logging my own eating habits I’ve come to the unfortunate conclusion that any combination of ultra-processed food and hot peppers throws my whole intestinal tract in an uproar that lasts a couple days. Yet, spicy whole foods don’t do that to me. The food journal helped me figure that out, just one more reason to ditch processed food lol!
Love this! Personal experience is the best teacher. What an interesting discovery you have made.
I also find that I can tolerate small amounts of real hot peppers - I literally bring my Thai hot pepper plants into the house for the winter so I can keep harvesting them (but I dry a bunch too) - but processed "hot" foods make me feel sick and are virtually inedible for me.
Store bought, processed crackers are my chips. I’ve tried so many times to quit. 😂 You’ve inspired me to try and cut them out in 2025!
That's awesome Jen! For me, like I say, the ONLY thing that worked was to stop buying them. I struggled for a bit but then I simply had to replace the snack with something better on hand. And after that hard one was done - the rest got easier. Success breeds success. Good luck and keep us posted!
Thank you for giving me a shout out! Soffritto to add delicious savory veggie base for the win!!
You bet - I cannot wait to dive into your Substack and learn more about Italian food - one of my favorite ways to eat!
And an added bonus - authentic Italian recipes are so naturally healthy, unlike Italian-American!
Wow this is such a meaty post - it could be 5 or 6 posts!!!
Oh thanks Lolly - yes method in my madness - stay tuned in 2025 as this post unfolds into some mind-body-food magic. Happy New Year!