#and eating out less often - junk and sugar

[meditating-dog-lover]

Yay

Just came back from the dentist and it went better than expected.

[inclosedwalldelusion]

40 sentences that will teach you more about nutrition than a $400,000 medical degree

From Brett Boettcher @brettboettcher1

40 sentences that will teach you more about nutrition than a $400,000 medical degree.

1) Meat, eggs and animal organs are the most nutrient dense foods on the planet.

2) Bone broth is loaded in collagen and helps repair the gut so you can heal from the inside out.

3) Saturated fat doesn’t cause heart disease, insulin resistance does.

4) Your ratio of triglycerides to HDL is a great indicator of mortality risk; the lower the better. ·

5) Protein is the most metabolically active macronutrient and it isn’t bad for your kidneys.

6) There isn’t quality evidence to show that dietary cholesterol impacts the cholesterol in your blood. ·

7) There is even less evidence to support that total cholesterol is bad for your health since it is inversely correlated to mortality risk. · 4h 8) Walking before and after meals is a great way to improve digestion and reduce blood sugar spikes.

9) Fiber is the last thing you need if you have IBS or diverticulitis.

10) Dairy is great for your health and its saturated fat intake is inversely correlated to heart disease.

11) Most nutritional recommendations were introduced based on profit margins, not health outcomes.

12) Calories in and calories out is all that matter, but some calories make you hungrier (sugar/grains). Other calories (protein) help you burn more calories.

13) Multi grain just means they took 2+ different terrible sources of grain and put them together into one product.

14) Cereal and bread for breakfast will spike your blood sugar and have you starving before lunch. Try Greek yogurt or eggs instead. ·

15) “Intuitive eating” and “listen to your body” makes no sense considering 88% of people are metabolically unhealthy and addicted to food. No one would say “intuitive crack use.”

16) Eating is a stress on your body; The less often you can eat, the healthier you’ll be.

17) Plan your meals around the protein source (with its natural fat) and add a small side of carbs if needed.

18) Eating for satiety is more important than relying constantly on willpower. Find filling foods and avoid foods with addictive properties (ultra-processed).

19) You don’t have to know how to cook. Grill a meat, sauté a green vegetable, bake a potato. Mix and match a million ways.

20) Eating many of the same foods every week isn’t perfectly optimal but it’s likely your best path to consistency and therefore success. ·

21) Becoming more insulin sensitive should be the focus of any health-related nutrition plan.

22) Salad dressings are one of the worst things you can eat for your health. High in calories and inflammatory industrial oils.

23) Eating 5x per day won’t boost your metabolism. If you are trying to gain weight, it’s an excellent strategy.

24) Bacon can be healthy, just avoid the processing with nitrates.

25) Cottage cheese and Greek yogurt are two of the best sources of protein per calorie.

26) Carbs are beneficial around a workout. But many sources of carbs are processed and easily overeaten. Focus on single ingredient foods.

27) You can’t be healthy at any size no matter what your mother or liberal arts professor said.

28) Eat a high protein meal before attending social events that are filled with junk food.

29) If eating out, order the food with the highest protein content.

30) The #1 reason people fail is that they don’t prepare. Meal prep, meal plan, have ready to eat protein sources. · 31) The food you eat directly impacts your mental health and processed foods are correlated with depression and mental illness.

32) Processed foods have been engineered to be as addicting as possible. Your taste buds can be retrained with natural sources.

33) “Plant-based” foods are made in laboratories and are an easy way to sell overpriced junk to consumers at high margin.

34) Eating 1 gram of protein per lb of ideal body weight daily will do more for your body composition than spending 30 minutes on the treadmill.

35) When in doubt, if it comes from the center aisles of the grocery store or has more than 3 ingredients, it’s not good for you.

36) Many foods labeled as “keto” “paleo” or “high protein” are far from meeting the intended definition.

37) Your gut is responsible for 70% of your immune system; feeding it sugar and other inflammatory foods is making you sick now and later.

38) Genetics play a role but over 90% of the country has a resting metabolism within 500 calories daily. Being fit is possible for everyone.

39) Flipping the food pyramid upside down is closer to healthy eating than the traditional suggestions.

40) Eliminating drinking your calories is the first change to make when trying to improve your health.

[frostedsketches]

( Before you continue, please do not comment or repost with any inappropriate context. It's sad that I have to bring this up, but after having a problem with this on DA and something in a similar taste here on Tumblr just recently, I feel that it is necessary. I am a minor, and in my opinion, pregnant bellies are wholesome and not something to be sexualized, so I will not tolerate any person trying to warp any aspect of this piece into anything pertaining to fetishes or NSFW in any way. We all know how babies are made, we don't need you to yell the specifics with blatancy. Anyone who does will immediately have their comment deleted/reblog hidden, and will be blocked.

Thank you for your time <3 )

Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie had to have had the hardest time expecting their young ones out of the Mane Six: Pinkie because she's a short pudgy little muffin carrying twins with the tallest stallion in Ponyville and Fluttershy because, well. . . giant hybrid draconequus baby with chaotic powers carried by a lanky and petite mare such as herself. You can imagine the weight off-set they had to struggle with, especially in the last few months.

Pinkie has almost always wanted to be a mom. She's a people person, adores little kids, and all those years of throwing them and their families parties as well as Cuteceañera's, weddings, baby showers, and every kind of celebration in between let her see first-hoof the treasured memories made, and relationships brought closer together by the entertainment she brought forth. You can see how this might make someone like her long for the same, to feel what a wife and a mother feels and have a family of her own.

This desire was fortunately shared by Cheese who had witnessed much of what she had in his career and often wondered something similar, and though they didn't plan to have kids quite as early as five months after their wedding, they joyously welcomed the surprise. Pinkie often finds herself staring at her unborn twins and realizing over and over that her dreams are really coming true.

Pinkie normally isn't the tidiest pony ever, though she isn't the type to sit around without something to keep her busy — but like most mares with one, or in her case two, little buns in the oven, she started nesting, and when that happened, there was no stopping her.

Other than this her life went on normally, even seven months in she was still throwing parties, making ponies laugh and smile, and baking ( with close supervision from Cheese, more on that later ). In the last few months however, she did find herself slowing down and allowed herself to become more reserved, resting up for the big day and the strenious days following.

Doctors orders were to stay away from sugar after she let it slip how much she consumed on a day to day basis — though considering the twins are from Pinkie's peculiar genes, I doubt it would have mattered either way — and Cheese had a heck of a time making sure she did as told. It's not easy giving up junk food entirely when you're used to eating like that for so long. She still baked as mentioned before, under Cheese's supervision, and Cheese spent most of his time making sure his wifey didn't consume anything she was baking.

Soon though, the thought of using honey instead of sugar popped up, and she was able to eat special honey sweetened treats if she ever just couldn't ward off the cravings.

Fluttershy's foal being half draconequus and chalk full of chaotic powers no less, often gave her symptoms and side affects that one wouldn't consider normal. On top of the usual pregnancy symptoms, she also had to deal with magical stuff like sneezing bubbles, throwing up confetti, changing the colors of her coat/mane/eyes etc etc, one time she had the ability to turn everything she touched into cheese, including living organisms — THAT was a fun eight hours. All this, plus back pain and limited wing usage from her kiddo's size, overall did not give Fluttershy the best experience.

Despite everything above, Discord did his best to help her ease these strange symptoms, wether it was simple comfort methods or magical help to lessen her magical effects. One example of that, when Fluttershy's hurting back got too much for her, since she couldn't lay on her stomach to ease the pain, he would make himself into a makeshift maternity pillow. This way she has a perfect sized donut hole for her belly to rest in while the rest of her is laying comfortably on top of her hubby's velvety soft noodle side whenever she needs it, and Discord gets a warm, beautiful, feathery pegasus blanket to keep him warm, so he didn't mind in the slightest.

~~~

Hope you enjoyed ^^ and I mean what I warned up there!

Toodles~

[lazycats-stuff]

Ok this one is mainly for Alfred but u could add batbros and batdad if u want, anyways i was wondering what would alfred (or any of the fam) do to stop BatToddler reader tantrum? Like i imagine the setting would be grocery shopping and Alfred's only getting healthy food including boring plain cereal and BatToddler is not having it and only wants sugar loaded cereal and starts whining and tearing up right there in the middle of the store, would alfred give in to those tears or find an alternative? I imagine batdad would give in and the brothers might even encourage it giving that they probably eat the same junk food

Oh my God yes! Anon, thank you for sending me this, this sounds so fun. Alfred needs love so this is Alfred centered, but I will put this in batfam since I'm to lazy to create a new page for the masterlist. It's a bit short, but my arm hurts.

Summary: Alfred has to make a deal with his grandson

Warnings: nothing really, (Y/N) crying, but it's short...

Alfred Pennyworth is a man of many talents. He may look like an ordinary butler to the public, but without him, the Wayne family wouldn't even function. He is the person who makes sure everyone eats, sleeps and somehow functions like a human being. Somewhat.

Some may find it tiring, but Alfred wouldn't have it any other way. He really wouldn't have it any other way at all. Of course, his grandkids so to speak were independent and didn't need anyone looking over them 24/7. That was until (Y/N) came as a baby.

Alfred nearly passed out when they got the call. (Y/N)'s mom abandoned him and just signed off her parental rights and Bruce had realized he had a kid. A baby, defenseless little creature who is untouched by the world. Untouched.

That's something that scared him.

But he knew that Bruce and him had to step up when it came to this little child. They really had to step up as caregivers. Of course, another problem was the press, pushing and prodding. Bruce hated it and told them that there were going to be consequences if they think about photographing his son.

If they did go out, (Y/N)'s face was covered by Bruce and or one of the boys who went with Bruce that day. Gotham citizens, the ones not included in the press, loved the little baby and were happy to him in public. Of course, that may sound weird, but the Wayne family is loved in Gotham and everyone just loves every single member.

In fact, the news of a new member, a baby member, broke the internet and Gotham in general.

Even Metropolis wrote about it.

And there was one thing that Bruce promised to himself. He would be present and he would try to balance everything. Batman, Bruce and the CEO of Wayne Enterprises. Alfred and the rest of the boys were more than happy to babysit and (Y/N) was never going to be at fault for love or affection. Never.

And Alfred made sure he is well fed. And also, Alfred made sure it was healthy. His grandson needed to be healthy. Of course, there could some sugar here and there, but not all the time. Sugar from fruits is more than welcome, but sugar like in cereal? Alfred had put a restriction on it.

At least for now. (Y/N) didn't need a sugar boost just yet. Only natural sugars while he is so young. Bruce agreed. They would introduce him to the sugars gradually. Bruce relayed that to his sons and every son agreed.

No processed sugar while he is so young.

3 years have passed since (Y/N) came to live them and life was going great. (Y/N) has started kindergarten and was happy. He loved his brothers a lot and his father, but he loved his grandpa the most. Bruce's working theory was the fact that Alfred cooked the most and often made tasty foods for (Y/N).

None the less, (Y/N) loved the others very much and that was undeniable.

One thing that Alfred loved doing was taking (Y/N) to the store whenever he could. (Y/N) was just in love with the activity. It was fun seeing new things and bright colors. Alfred enjoyed since (Y/N) held the list while shopping and he didn't have to worry about it.

Although there is one single issue. (Y/N) has a sweet tooth. A really big one, especially for a child his age. So Alfred often had to bypass the cereal aisle and aisles that contained candy.

It would not be a pleasant sight. But Jason and the others want cereal and they will lose their minds if they don't get it. So what does Alfred do?

He goes to the aisle, preparing himself mentally.

This could turn into a battle.

Alfred took a right and started looking through the cereal. He looked at some healthy cereal and (Y/N) was reaching for Coco Puffs. Alfred saw it and moved (Y/N) away.

(Y/N) didn't like that.

" Alfred. " (Y/N) whined and Alfred raised his brow.

" Yes, master (Y/N)? " Alfred asked as he put the healthy version inside the cart.

" Coco Puffs. " (Y/N) said pointing at the cereal. Alfred smiled and shook his head.

" I'm afraid that I can't get you that master (Y/N). " Alfred said and he sighed when he saw tears in (Y/N)'s eyes.

He picked his grandson up into his arms from the cart. " Master (Y/N), don't cry. " Alfred said as he rocked him.

" But I want Coco Puffs. " (Y/N) whined and some tears fell down his cheeks.

" Oh darling... " Alfred whispered and kissed his cheek, trying to comfort him.

" How about we make a deal? " Alfred suggested and (Y/N) calmed down a little bit and looked at him in curiosity.

" You will have to eat the vegetables I give you. "

(Y/N) opened his mouth to protest, but stopped himself. Did he like vegetables? No. But he did like his Coco Puffs.

" All of them? " (Y/N) asked quietly.

" Yes. I know you are not a fan of vegetables, but I need you to be healthy. " Alfred said as he kissed his cheek once again.

" And then I'll get my cereal? " (Y/N) asked and Alfred nodded.

" We got a deal. " (Y/N) said and Alfred smile, kissing his cheek again.

" Good. " Alfred says and puts the box into the cart. " You can have one bowl a day. " Alfred said as he put (Y/N) down in the cart's seat for children.

" Cross off cereal master (Y/N) please. " Alfred said and pointed at the word. (Y/N) crossed it off and smiled happily.

" Now, let me see what else I have. " Alfred said and saw what else is on the list.

" We have one more thing left and then we can go home. " Alfred said and patted (Y/N)'s head.

(Y/N) just nodded and kicked his little legs happily. Alfred saw that (Y/N) often glanced at the Coco Puffs and made sure that they were in the cart.

" They won't be going anywhere master (Y/N). "

(Y/N) let out a little humph and smiled none the less.

" I have to make sure. "

Alfred laughed at the response he got as he moved the cart through the aisles. " The box won't walk away anywhere. " Alfred explained as he put the last thing in the cart.

" Cross off this word please. " Alfred said as he pointed at the last word on the list.

(Y/N) nodded and crossed it out. " Good job. " Alfred praised his grandson and made his way to the cash register. This was not so bad like Alfred thought it would be.

And the deal was nice.

[sirjocktrainer]

Weekly Workout

A good jock workout hard.

A good jock eats right.

A good jock obeys coach.

The Gear.

First off, it's not the gear that makes a Jock and Jock, it's the behavior.

But the gear can be hot so let's talk about it.

At the most basic level you have the jockstrap, the clothing which gives jocks their name. Simple white or black and holding a jock's junk while giving open access to their ass as they workout in the gym or their sport of choice. Beyond that if you want more they come in just about every color and you can get ones that are more club wear than really being underwear. Great way for a jock to show off his hard work.

Next you have the workout gear. This is where all those photos of guys in underarmor or other compression gear falls, also those a sleeveless shirts that stop at the shoulder or show off the nipples to just normal t-shirts. less talk is given to the shorts but often just gym shorts or compression leggings.

And deserving of it's only category the full body skin suit, you don't see new ones much anymore, they're more likely to be overlapping tops and bottoms now, but for a while they were the rage and seeing a jock in neck to ankle, wrist to wrist gear, very hot.

Continuing outward we have uniforms from the almost skin tight rugby gear to the looser and bulkier football and hockey pads and every sport between. This is really jock and coach's choice. I love rugby gear but hockey gear can be fun to play with, and using a football helmet with hypnosis, well that's always fun.

But this is were the most choice comes in, yes with gym gear you have a few big brands but in uniforms, you have dozens of teams each with different versions given age or home/away, position. So much choices and way to make it personal. Two different football jocks stand belong to the same coach and yet be in different colors, didn't kinds of pads, give their owner some variety is the spice of life after all.

Goals

I have gotten a cold so I wasn't able to make my 500cals this weekend. next we'll we're go at it again. With my writing working on some prompts in tumblr, getting a chuck of photos captioned, I hit about 1500 words give or take. My new goal to read more of at least 300 pages a week is off to an okay start with about 200 pages before I got sick and stopped reading.

This week @Costasso, @orcaazure, and my marines, Toy, are being good boys and giving their best. @jockboydiary check in and update us jockboy.

sirjocktrainer-100cal in 5 min, read 300 pages a week. 2000 words write/edit

boy-s37- 85% meal diet compliance Perform 100 pushups per day Achieve chest growth 40 inches

orcaazure- Total of 5 workouts a week Stick to my meal plan 5 out of 7 days a week bicep measures goal 42 shoulders measure goal 25

Costas-Drop 50 pounds 100 pushups in 2 minutes Free of sugar for 6 months

[nyasialiveshere]

health diary post 1.1

I need this to be organized for the future

I want to try coconut cult

like it might be a scam, but idk it apparently has more prebiotics than kombucha but are they telling the truth, I can't eat yogurt anymore cause I'm trying slowly slowly to get off of all dairy. It took me about a few months to leave all meat alone period, which was hard because I've always been a heavy meat eater. Dairy is more difficult because it's in everything. You can get a veggie burger very easily but then there's the bread that contains milk, eggs and sugar which apparently most sugar isn't vegan. Which is makes cold turkey life very hard if you aren't a gold star vegetarian. I only ate pure veggies when it was my first vegetarian summer and it was easy cause when it's hot you love fruit and veggies, but when it's cold you want donuts and cheese pizza and stuff that makes you put on weight.

I cannot stand winter even more now, especially when family members get fast food which is often and like I'm never tempted with meat but bread is my kryptonite every time. I'm a bread and sugar person. So that's my only issue. But I feel like life without yogurt sucks cause yogurt was my go to forever. It was breakfast lunch and dinner whenever I was trying to get healthy, then I found out how sick the dairy industry is and it's like I hate it. Social media sucks cause it's very little encouragement to eat healthy no less veggie or vegan. So many places really are trying

but yesterday on tubi I found a anti vegan documentary. Usually I can watch anything from every single side, but I literally can not. I've been on farms, I've seen animals be butchered. Like it's not, oh idk man it's a choice. Like the future will not be like this.

Kids already have more empathy than previous generations although it doesn't seem like it. I know first hand the animal agriculture industry is dying, the more people know what animals go through the more it will be impossible to continue to lie that the animals love it too, they don't. The farm hands are usually traumatized. It's bad for literally everyone involved. Like I saw it up close so now the lies don't work on me. But yes it's a slow process but honestly for better or worse people know red meat isn't healthy there is only so many lies they can push, kids know, adults know and the elderly know. Many try and restrict as much as they can. Fish is so tainted due to our environmental travesties there is no excuse for eating fish either.

It's just not healthy. So documentaries like that really upset me I couldn't even watch 10 minutes. It's just a bunch of apologist garbage. You aren't a bad person, no you aren't keep eating burger king you are a good person. Like I cannot stand it because it used to work on me. One person can't make a difference so why try. How much evil is done with that type of thinking. It's sick

It's also very hard to be in fandoms because I didn't even realize how much pro fast food and junk celebs promote. From mcdonald's meals, to children's sugary snacks, it's like very icky.

Never would I have been proud of luxury places like erewhon promoting at least sort of healthy things with vegetarian options. I know it sucks but this is how vegetarianism will spread sadly. Good marketing, cute packaging, feeling better and superior to people who don't do it.

It's psychology people are arrogant and pompous. People love elitism.

I found out quite a few people are quiet vegans or vegetarians most people do not talk about it.

Sadly it's something that needs to be promoted. Because things are changing. My mom was shocked to find that starbucks had vegan options, not even veggie but vegan. That's really huge. I didn't realize it but capitalism controls the market, what is promoted will be king. It's so superficial but pushing things in a stylish way is helping the earth. I know it's so fake. But it's better than seeing people post their favorite celeb with a steak and thousands of people saying it's so good. You have to shame the devil. Until people feel convicted and like their is real opposition to what they are doing they will keep behaving in a reprehensible way.

I would never defend someone taking a human and packaging them up in a burger, yet people do it for animals, who are also mothers, fathers and children of another living creature. Like idk I just can't keep quiet about it anymore. So many things bother me, but if it's never talked about then no one will say anything.

Many vegan meals are so cheap and so healthy it seems absurd to promote a more expensive in the long run lifestyle. Fast food has a huge cost, not just in health but it creates food deserts, lack of poc businesses. Like I didn't even know there are so many healthier ethnic food places that don't get as much business due to fast food underselling their products, it's so bad for the economy as well. Imagine how much better small food business owners would do without fast food competition. Like there's so many components to it really.

[sharenadraculea]

Space Marine Food Headcanons

(Note: stuff is gonna vary a lot across different chapters and there are basically always exceptions) Warning: towards the bottom there is a discussion of cannibalism and also eating disorders

-Good food is good for morale. There is generally a effort to serve stuff that‘s actually tasty

-While Nutrient Sludge is a option it‘s not very popular and most chapters avoid serving it pure because it doesn‘t taste good and the texture isn‘t great. Having to eat pure nutrient sludge is generally seen as a sign that something is going wrong

-Of course the Astartes still need a lotnif nutrients, so the cooks often get sneaky about hiding the nutrient sludge (and some more supplements for good measure) in meals. The spagethi sauce might be half nutrient sludge by volume, but they are still eating spagethi with a tasty sauce so it‘s fine

-Most astartes really don‘t want to eat the nutrient sludge on it‘s own, so even when there isn‘t a whole kitchen around to serve them, a lot will still try to somehow make it nicer alone, maybe mix it with canned soup or maybe mix it with fruit and sugar and cereal for like Birchermüsli. Or just not eat the nutrient sludge at all and get something else

-Most astartes spend a lot of time eating. This goes double for Renegades or those on long missions that can‘t get astartes-specific supplements and need to rely on regular food

-Neophytes tend to be deligthed about finding out they can eat basically whatever and how much their twelveyearold hearts desire: twenty chocolate bars, a gallon of ice cream as a midnight snack, whatever the 40k equivalent of a dozen bigmacs is. If it has calories, it‘s fine. Who needs veggies? No one, the apothecary can give you vitamin-pills

-Most Marines do eventually get tired of junk food all day, every day, which often presents a challenge for the serfs because how the hell do you hide supplements in a cucumber? Also just constantly having to come up with meals they‘ll find interesting is pretty difficult.

-While feeding tubes aren‘t the norm, they are probally far from rare. If it works, it works

-On a darker note, Cannibalism is far, far more common than officially admitted. Your battle brother just ate a whole human arm? No he didn‘t and you saw nothing.

-Also eating disorders are very common. Like all the eating disorders (tough if there is a body-image-aspect to it, the focus is probally less on beeing thin since that‘s probally much less of a focus in astartes-culture). Obsessing over „healthy“ food, starving themself for religious reasons, binge eating with or without vomiting afterwards, restricting the foods they‘ll eat to a handfull (especially bad if they refuse supplements), eating things that are barely edible/inedible even for a astartes, etc.

[millenniumfae]

After being on appetite suppressants for 5 months, I'm sad to confirm a long held suspicion of mine - it's easier to be skinny if you eat only junk BUT very little, versus eating a balanced diet but with big portions.

I've been between 'moderately' and 'fully' fat almost all my life, minus a few of my teenage years.

I grew up eating a Taiwanese-American diet. Asian foods have a much bigger emphasis on veggies, and less sugar content; for example, desserts after dinner aren't a common thing, unless it's fruit. And my parents were always like, "ugh, this tastes bad because it's too sugary!" so we didn't have kool-aid/fruit juices/etc at home.

Fresh out the womb I had an impressive appetite. Dad held me at 2 hours old, not crying. Nurse said I must not be hungry, but apparently I downed the entire bottle of formula in record time. Impressed, the nurse gave me half a bottle more. My parents said they were thankful I was a baby that never refused food. At age 3, my favorite foods were sweet potato leaves, spinach, egg fried rice, and cubes of pork chop.

I knew I ate more than my skinnier counterparts, but I'd always be eating healthier. No soda until college (my autism hated the bubbles until I was older), fruit juices were a once-a-week thing. No sugary cereals or ice cream 'cause I didn't like milk. My skinny cousin threw nightly tantrums 'cause she wasn't allowed to leave the table unless she ate more than white rice with furikake, while I'd ask for huge servings of bok choy.

My american schoolmates ate three chicken nuggets, a bag of fritos, and a bottle of dr. pepper for lunch. My friends would have an eggo waffle, frozen fries, a cafeteria hotdog, and two glasses of hawaiian punch for the day. My barista coworkers say they only eat kraft mac and cheese and frozen pizza, and buy a bottle of sprite every shift.

And no, they likely weren't exercising more than I was.

Now, my diet is more akin to theirs. I don't have the appetite for my last portion sizes - not even recommended portion sizes, so I often find my appetite completely curved by treats. A weekend iced latte. A danish from the new bakery. After all, with no large appetite to cook for, why bother spending 2 hours prepping, cooking, and cleaning a full oden bowl?

Recent years have given us insight into the correlation between fatness and being unhealthy. It always seems to default to skinny people believing they're doing something right, and fatter people are doing something wrong. It stings to see it in action.

[leorawright]

Okay, I got a request, TF2 Medic, Scout, Heavy, and Soldier with a S/O who is an alien? Perhaps an Irken? If you've ever watched invader zim they are these green lil buggers with fully colored reddish pink(or any color you want) eyes and antennae that are bug-like, hell they have a machine on their back called a 'PAK' that resembles a ladybug, have three fingers and they are known to be REALLY short, like 4ft-5ft tall their leaders being taller like 6ft, they rule by height (I'm not kidding), they can bring out four spider like mechanical legs from their PAKs so they are bug-like lmao

Okay, my request is, how would those four mercs do with an irken S/O? Lol they end up meeting the said Alien after S/O somehow ends up in the base and saves the said mercs from an enemy merc, the mercs end up getting to learn a lot about their new Alien S/O, like how Meat and Water are very deadly too them, raw meat and rainwater ends up burning their skin badly, which perhaps they find out on accident, be it S/O walks out into the rain with the mercs and starts to crisp or maybe they have a barbecue and S/O accidentally consumes meat and starts to almost DIE

Also, Irkens live off of sugar so they can consume lots of junk food and not get sick cuz to them it's like eating normal food lmao

Ooo interesting!

Mercs with Irken s/o

Scout

Nearly fainted when he first saw you, to be honest. Bro thought he was in the middle of a fever dream

After he recovered and you explained who you were he happily took you to the base to present you to the other mercs

It took forever to figure out you were allergic to meat because his room is full of junk food, but when you did happen to eat meat and started dying Scout went into full panic mode

Apologized a lot for accidently poisoning you

Soldier

Honestly, surprisingly unphased when he first met you but he was a little pouty that someone had to save him from the enemy

Listened to your story with interest and happily took you back to the base to present you to all the other mercs

Very excited when you reveal the little spider machines in your backpack

He likes to enforce a healthy diet to stay strong and that includes... you guessed it, meat

Nearly shrieked when you first started dying after eating meat

After that, he starts letting you eat more junk food cause he does not want his new strange friend to die because of meat

Or the rain apparently because you and him went out for training while it was raining, and whoops now you've got burns on your arm

After some numbing cream and bandages you two only train on sunny days now

Heavy

Very intrigued by the small alien person but not scared

He often lets you sit on his shoulder so he can hear you better, and you can keep up with him

When he first sees your little spider machines, he's got a couple of educated questions that he'll ask

He enjoys cooking for you, and when you first eat meat and almost die, he updates the recipes to make for you to include more sweets and less meat

Also, when he found out that water basically burned you, he immediately took you to Medic and afterward always made sure the weather would be sunny if you wanted to go outside

Medic

Absolutely fascinated by the small alien creature

He also really wants to study you but promises not to take you apart

When you first showed off your little spider machines, he definitely had a lot of questions, but he's not the best with machines sooo good luck explaining some things

He probably found out that you were basically allergic to rain first, but luckily, since he was a doctor, he patched you up real quick

When you first ate meat and started dying, he was a bit more... panicked but was able to save you and was very relieved his new friend didn't die on him

[theepicyus]

actual food/ health facts for everyone:

- eating food is good for you unless it's the type you are allergic to or is expired. don't eat food you are allergic to! that's super bad for you. and if it's got mold or is rotting.... don't!

- getting your daily intake of water is way more healthy than anything else. foods you eat can also contain a lot of water! fruits and soups are two big obvious examples. here's an amazing article that really goes into the nuances of how much water a day is right for you based on things like weight, activity levels, and the climate you are currently in!

- on a general level, binge eating isn't great for you. I used to go a long time without eating and then binge a giant dinner that would leave me feeling uncomfortably full and lethargic for hours. once I started eating smaller portions more frequently, I started feeling better physically, and I didn't even change what I ate, just how much and how often.

- eating/drinking "junk" is way better for you than not consuming anything at all. food is energy. you need energy.

- eating food you actually like is healthier than eating food that you hate but is "good for you." it has not recently been discovered that if you eat "health" foods (ex: salads, veggies, whole grain stuff etc) but dislike eating it, especially to the point of just swallowing to get it down or holding your nose or whatever, you actually absorb less nutrients. here's one study about how eating tasty food you are familiar with and in a manner enticing to you affects iron intake. People who ate normally delicious meals in a mush form got 70% less iron from ppl who ate it normally. and another website talking about the same study.

- every body is different and needs different things. things that work for some to make them healthier will be dangerous for others.

- chew your food!!!!! no, really. chew your food more. people as a whole don't chew their food enough. ever scarf something down and get a tummy ache? our saliva and teeth have a purpose. we need to make sure our teeth are breaking down food as much as possible to make less work for our stomachs. making sure every bite has a good amount of saliva in it ensures easier digestion as well because saliva breaks down food too. even if you're just eating pudding, swish it around in your mouth a few times to get saliva in it before swallowing. the more you chew, the longer it takes to eat, the more time your body has to register fullness, the less you eat overall and potentially stop yourself from overeating. chewing enough also helps with gas, cramps, bloating, bad poops, skin problems, and more.

- remember that if you are working on eating better, whatever that means for you personally, your body can handle a cheat day or a relapse day or whatever (with some exceptions, like if you're at risk or something. diabetics should hold more caution, but my dad eats sugar free treats often and doctors say he's safe). getting upset with yourself isn't helpful if you for example are trying to avoid eating lots of sugar, but buy yourself a bag of nerds clusters. (haha....I love nerds clusters so much). it's okay! the world isn't going to end!

- if you want to be more active make sure you understand yourself, your current circumstances, and your limits. personally, I have asthma, so cardio is basically avoided. I prefer weight stuff. walking is fine for me, but running and jogging are a NO. if you're disabled or very out of practice there are super basic simple non-strenuous starter exercises you can do.

Justin Agustin does a lot of beginner and elderly/infirm tutorials. here's one for if you haven't exercised in years with super basic stuff like sitting down and raising your feet up, and sitting down and standing up.

as for exercises and routines for neurodivergent people, there's not really a place anywhere I can find that really... has substantial things. it's best if you just Google your flavor of ND and find other people talking about what works for them and trying things out. for adhd it varies, but typically I found that keeping things new and fresh and fun helps to keep routine and to rotate what you do so when you get bored of one thing you can do another, and trying to stick to one solid routine is basically impossible. for autism basically just try to make it as sensory friendly as possible, wearing the right clothes, finding the right places. basically if you're any type of ND it's just going to be a process to find what works best with you and your brain and schedule and body, not what other people tell you to do.

AND REMEMBER THAT WEIGHT =X= HEALTH!!! WEIGHT DOES NOT EQUAL HEALTH!!!! FAT% DOES NOT EQUAL HEALTH!!! THERES MORE TO HEALTH THAN EATING AND EXERCISING!!!

so many queer ppl will be like "deviating from social norms is part of who we are" and then gleefully participate in fatphobia/diet culture and nearly make being skinny an entire ideology and identity

[hophopnoodles]

Tomato Ketchup for Kids and Adults – Everyone’s Favorite Dip

🍅 Tomato Ketchup: The Timeless Classic Loved by Every Generation

Tomato Ketchup is more than just a condiment—it's an emotion that adds joy to every bite. From crispy fries to cheesy sandwiches, from samosas to burgers, this vibrant red sauce is a household favorite in every Indian kitchen. But have you ever wondered what makes tomato ketchup so universally loved?

In this article, we dive into the history, uses, health aspects, and why your pantry should never run out of this kitchen essential.

🏡 What is Tomato Ketchup?

Tomato Ketchup is a thick, tangy-sweet sauce made primarily from tomatoes, vinegar, sugar, salt, and a blend of spices. It’s one of the most versatile condiments used across the globe, particularly in Indian homes where it's often served with snacks, fast food, and even Indian street food.

📜 A Quick History of Tomato Ketchup

The origins of ketchup date back to 17th-century Asia, where it was a fermented fish sauce called "kê-tsiap." It evolved over centuries, and by the 19th century, American and European chefs created the modern tomato-based version we know and love today.

In India, Tomato Ketchup became a staple during the rise of Western fast food and is now used in both traditional and fusion cuisine.

🍟 Common Uses of Tomato Ketchup in Indian Homes

Tomato ketchup is used not just as a dip but also as a cooking ingredient. Here are some popular ways Indians love to use it:

With fries, burgers, sandwiches, samosas, and pakoras

Mixed in homemade noodles or pasta

As a base for pizza sauce

In chutneys and marinades

For making kid-friendly wraps and rolls

🧂 What Makes a Good Tomato Ketchup?

When choosing a good tomato ketchup, here are the things to look out for:

Made with real tomatoes

Free from artificial colors and preservatives

Balanced flavor—not too sweet, not too sour

Thick and smooth consistency

Hygienic packaging with easy-to-pour bottles or sachets

✅ Health Benefits and Myths

Many people think ketchup is just "junk food," but that’s not entirely true. Quality tomato ketchup made with natural ingredients can offer some health benefits:

Lycopene, the antioxidant in tomatoes, helps fight cell damage

Vinegar in ketchup can aid digestion

No-fat content makes it a low-calorie flavor booster

Kids love it, so it helps encourage better eating habits

Of course, moderation is key. Look for variants with low sugar and less sodium if you're watching your intake.

🛒 How to Choose the Right Tomato Ketchup Brand

When shopping for tomato ketchup, keep these points in mind:

Check the ingredient list for real tomato content

Choose brands that mention “no added preservatives”

Go for reputed names that follow food safety standards

Consider packaging that fits your usage (sachets, bottles, or bulk packs)

💬 Final Thoughts

Tomato ketchup is more than just a side dip—it's a way to enhance flavors, create fusion dishes, and bring smiles to family dinners. Whether you're packing a school lunch, hosting a party, or simply enjoying an evening snack, tomato ketchup always finds its way to the table.

So next time you reach for that red bottle, remember—you’re not just adding ketchup; you’re adding joy to your food.

[healthyfeast]

Stuck in Traffic? Get a Healthy Diet Tiffin Delivered to Your Mumbai Office.

In Mumbai, traffic is a part of daily life. Whether you’re commuting from Andheri to Bandra or stuck on the Western Express Highway, mealtimes often get sacrificed. By the time you reach the office, the cafeteria food doesn’t look appealing, and outside snacks aren’t always the healthiest option. But what if you could skip the stress—and still enjoy a nutritious, home-style meal right at your desk?

Welcome to the world of healthy diet tiffin services in Mumbai—where wellness meets convenience and every meal is a step toward better living.

The Office Lunch Struggle Is Real

If you're a working professional in Mumbai, chances are you've faced one (or more) of these:

Skipping lunch due to workload or long meetings

Ordering oily, calorie-heavy food from nearby restaurants

Settling for the same boring canteen menu

Feeling sluggish post-lunch due to heavy meals

These choices can affect your energy, productivity, and long-term health. That’s why a reliable diet tiffin service is a game-changer.

Why Choose a Diet Tiffin for Your Office Lunch?

1. Nutritious Meals, Without the Prep

You don’t need to wake up early to cook or carry heavy lunchboxes. A healthy tiffin gets delivered fresh—just in time for lunch.

2. Balanced for Your Body

Portion-controlled and nutritionist-approved, these meals help you:

Stay energized through the workday

Avoid mid-day sugar crashes

Maintain weight and overall wellness

Eat clean, even during tight schedules

3. No More Junk Food Temptations

Having a tasty, healthy meal waiting at your desk means you’re less likely to reach for chips, samosas, or sugary drinks.

What’s in a Healthy Office Tiffin?

Whole grains like brown rice, millets, or quinoa

Lean proteins like grilled paneer, chicken, or legumes

Seasonal veggies cooked with minimal oil

Low-GI ingredients for diabetic and fitness needs

Tasty, Indian and fusion-style recipes

Jain, veg, or non-veg options based on preference

And yes, it still tastes delicious—because healthy doesn't mean bland.

HealthyFeast – Office Tiffins Done Right

If you’re looking for healthy meals delivered to your workplace, HealthyFeast is one of Mumbai’s top-rated tiffin services trusted by office-goers across:

Andheri

Powai

Bandra

Lower Parel

Navi Mumbai

Here’s why HealthyFeast stands out:

Diet meals tailored by expert nutritionists

Timely delivery—even to corporate towers and coworking spaces

Weekly and monthly subscription plans

Affordable, hygienic, and full of flavor

Whether you're on a fitness journey, managing diabetes, or simply trying to eat better, HealthyFeast brings the right food to the right place—your desk.

Final Words

You may not be able to avoid Mumbai’s traffic—but you can avoid unhealthy eating habits. With diet tiffin delivery services like HealthyFeast, staying on track with your health goals is easier than ever.

So the next time you're stuck in a jam or too busy to cook, remember: a healthy, balanced meal is just a delivery away.

Fuel your day. Focus better. Live healthier—starting with lunch.

[jamiebluewind]

As someone with a food allergy AND food sensitivities, it's been hell. Milk causes a rash, GI bleeding (which can make me lightheaded or even collapse), and bad GI inflammation and nausea to the point I can't hold down food for days or even WEEKS after exposure and even trace can make my life hell for a few days (thank you benadryl). Fresh garlic and cilantro causes anaphylaxis. I have a sensitivity to gluten which causes nausea, GI issues, and triggers migraines from all the inflammation (wild right?). To add insult to injury, I'm oat intolerant so a lot of substitute foods come at the cost of running to the bathroom.

I'm disabled and have left side weakness, so doing things like cooking for myself is hard, much less from scratch. Milk is in so many things it's ridiculous and eating out was near impossible BEFORE I had to give up gluten. I have to buy the expensive versions of stuff just so I won't experience violent nausea and pain just because I wanted to eat, but SNAP (food program) doesn't give extra benefits to cover the higher grocery cost. Sometimes I literally have to decide between skipping meals and finding something to eat that will put me through the least amount of hell. Accepting things like a homemade meal is always a risk because of just how hard it is to not miss something even when they try (sometimes I eat it anyway knowing the risks because I'm so touched when someone tries). Even safe foods and brands can change overnight and a food that used to be safe is suddenly not, but I don't know to check the ingredients because I've got it before. Grocery shopping is exhausting, frustrating, long, and filled with disappointment after disappointment because all the label reading and having to put stuff back. It makes me not have a great relationship with food and doctors often won't listen when I say I literally CAN'T eat better.

It's not just food. I've had things like soap give me a really bad rash and make me so itchy that I feel like something is crawling on me for days! I've had reactions from paint.

Prescriptions are the biggest pain outside of food I think. A lot of them have enough milk (usually just trace) to trigger a reaction in people like me. Most pharmacies in the US wont flag it because it's an inactive ingredient, so it's up to me even when I'm sick. Sometimes I have to fight my insurance for a name brand drug because generic has milk (even then the pharmacy will fill the generic half the time and I have to go in and get it fixed like with levoxyl). My insurance tried to stop covering my asthma medication because they wanted me to get on a dry powder one (lactose with milk proteins). I have to take the liquid version of a med for my anxiety, which has to be refrigerated so I just have to deal if an anxiety spike happens while I'm out of the house.

I've had people tell me to just take a lactose pill (I have a non-IgE allergy to the protein not an intolerance to the sugar!). Sometimes people accuse me of being on a fad diet when I want gluten free. I often have to put my epipen on the counter or give graphic depictions of my reactions for places to ACTUALLY be careful with my food because they often won't if I just say I have an allergy (even having a couple places put one in anyway because they thought I was lying instead of just an honest mistake). Asking food places and bakeries and whatever about their food often just gets me a shrug. I've been sent to the ER more than once. I have to pack food for when I need to go somewhere overnight. Complementary breakfasts are usually pointless for me. It's taken me years to find a nutrition drink that's not disgusting for when I'm bedridden (Kate Farms). Sometimes I eat really dumb junk food because that's the only option. Sometimes I HAVE to take a med short term that has milk because no alternative exists, which means a bland diet with benadryl for a while and some frustrating symptoms (I don't always notice until I've taken a couple doses either). There's been treatment facilities I couldn't go to and trips I couldn't go on because I "couldn't be accommodated." Hospitals that sent me home earlier because they couldn't feed me or the kitchen already messed up once. My bio family was cruel to me. Sometimes depression gets hard to work through when literally THE WORLD IS BUILT TO NOT LET YOU EAT.

Tldr: People with food allergies go through hell, so contacting companies to complain, looking into options, or just buying versions that are safe for us to increase demand can be a big help. For example, vegans literally help me have food options!

Not to make a serious post too much but remember how angry everyone rightly was about bread companies adding sesame because it's cheaper to poison people than clean your machinery?

Yeah well it's happening in other foods. I already posted about Kellogg's doing it to cereal bars and Austin Snack Crackers but now it's in greens CVS granola bars and Jenny Fucking Craig cheesecake which btw record level they added EVERY allergen to that shit.

[trendsnova]

You’re Not Lazy, You Just Need These 5 Mental Shifts

Forget motivation - here’s what actually gets things moving

Stop Blaming Yourself for Not “Trying Hard Enough”

Let’s be real. The worst part about struggling with your goals isn’t the failure — it’s the shame that follows.

Especially in cultures where productivity is seen as moral currency, every delay, every hesitation, every “off day” is treated like a character flaw.

You’ll hear things like: “You just need to push harder.” “Successful people don’t make excuses.” "If you wanted it badly enough, you'd have it now."

Sounds sensible. But that's not the whole story.

You wouldn't be able to win a race going full tilt in the opposite direction — no matter how hard you try.

So rather than "wanting it more," you might want to try the following five mental adjustments that actually alter your strategy for achieving your goals.

Most Goals Fail Because They're Chosen for the Wrong Reasons Most of us pursue goals we believe we ought to desire — not ones that match who we really are.

We choose professions in order to impress, fitness goals from Instagram, or income levels simply to prove something.

The end result? Burnout. Resistance. And ultimately, quitting — not because we're lazy, but because we never really cared.

Shift #1: Select goals that are meaningful to you, not society. Ask yourself, "Would I still do this if no one knew I was doing it?"

Discipline Trumps Motivation Every. Single. Time Motivation is like a sugar high. It's fantastic in temporary doses, but it's not something you can base your life on.

The truth? Most high-achievers aren't on a wave of motivation. They're on a system. They're showing up even when they don't feel like it — because the behavior is on autopilot.

Shift #2: Create habits that need less willpower, not more decision-making. You don't have to be inspired to do the right thing — you need it ingrained in your day.

Small, Consistent Wins Are Greater Than Huge Sprints We adore big efforts — the 30-day challenge, the extreme diet, the 16-hour hustle. They make us feel like we're doing something.

But truly sustainable progress is from small, nearly mundane repetitions. A daily 10-minute task. A weekly review. A monthly check-in.

Shift #3: Lower the bar — consistently. Success is not about intensity, it's about not quitting.

The Environment You're In Is More Powerful Than You Think You might think success is all about self-discipline. But studies show your environment often wins out, regardless of your willpower.

If you’re surrounded by distractions, chaos, or negativity, even your best intentions will wear thin.

Shift #4: Curate your surroundings like your success depends on it — because it does. Want to eat better? Keep junk food out of sight. Want to focus more? Put your phone in another room.

Your Self-Talk Creates Your Results Individuals who refer to themselves as "lazy" begin to behave that way. Individuals who say "I can't concentrate" evade activities needing attention. The brain hears — and complies.

In case you persist in beating yourself up for lacking drive, you're conditioning your mind to remain stuck.

Shift #5: Reframe your inner story. Talk to yourself as you'd talk back to a friend — with clarity, kindness, and high expectations.

Last Thoughts: It's Not About Working Harder, It's About Working Right Yes, hard work is important. But if you're working hard in the wrong direction, it just accelerates burnout.

Before you hustle some more, stop. Review your goals. Recreate your habits. Declutter your space. And above all, treat yourself nicer in the process.

You don't require more motivation. You require more intelligent systems and greater alignment. When those are in place, momentum is automatic.

[garbag3medi4]

slow down!!

dopamine is a neurotransmitter tied to motivation, reward, pleasure, and learning. it’s not just about feeling good, but also about desire, anticipation, and what drives your behavior

we get natural dopamine from effort based rewards and experiences that build over time. this dopamine is more regulated and steady, often tied to personal meaning and growth. this kind of dopamine is slow burning and long lasting. it builds confidence and resilience over time. examples of sustainable dopamine are:

- working toward a meaningful goal

- exercising regularly

- learning a new skill

- creating art or music

- meditation, mindfulness

- social connection with emotional depth

- acts of kindness or helping others

- spending time in nature

- completing tasks

on the other hand, the dopamine we get from instant gratification comes from short term pleasure with little effort. it’s often used as a quick escape from discomfort. we get a spike of dopamine, but it leads to a crash afterward. instead of getting small, sustainable doses over time, you get it all at once, leading you to feel it more when it’s not there. over time, your brain starts to need more and more of the stimulus to get the same effect. this is how the cycle of addiction begins.

examples of instant gratification dopamine are:

- scrolling on social media

- binge watching shows

- eating sugar or junk foot

- online shopping

- porn or hookup apps

- gambling or gaming

- chasing external validation

modern society predisposes us to chase instant gratification for a few reasons. For one thing, the shift in the way we use technology has sped up the pace of our society by miles. With the internet, everything is accessible with just a click of a finger. Have a question? Just type it into google. No more having to search through books for hours or conduct a bunch of interviews. Want to buy something? You can get it shipped to your house within like 5 minutes with Amazon. Want to start a new show? You don’t have to wait weeks for the whole thing to come out. You can binge watch the whole thing on netflix in a couple days.

not to mention our devices are literally designed to be addicting. notification, likes, and endless scrolling give us quick dopamine hits with minimal effort that train us like dogs to keep searching for another reward. Algorithms reward impulsive behavior and keep us chasing novelty. Our brains are basically trained to expect constant stimulation. Our new normal is getting all of the pleasure without any of the pain. So when the stimulation is suddenly gone, we get insanely bored or intensely anxious.

When the new normal is a readily available source of content, products, etc, society has to shift to keep up. This leads to a prevalence of hustle culture. Society rewards productivity over presence, so people work jobs that require them to work quickly and constantly even if it’s not necessarily leading to substantial progress. In this model, there’s little room for work-life balance, but a lot of room to burn out. We’re taught that rest or slow progress is lazy, so we use instant pleasure as a coping mechanism instead of building sustainable, restorative habits.

With so much information and so many opportunities available to us, we may also feel pressure to be constantly learning new things, achieving new milestones, doing cool stuff, etc. Byung-Chul Han describes this as Achievement Society. We are constantly pressured to prove ourselves to keep up with those around us. Everything’s fast these days: fast food, fast entertainment, fast relationships. Whatever you want, you expect to get with a snap of your finger. But faster doesn’t always mean better. Most of the time it just means what you get is cheaper, less sustainable, and less meaningful.

When our brains are constantly pressured to pick up the speed, it puts us in survival mode. We don’t give ourselves the time we need to absorb the information we need and let our brain form the neural pathways that help us solidify that information into knowledge. Instead, we start to look for the bare minimum and throw out the rest. So we might get what we want faster, but in reality, we just settled for what we wanted in the moment, not what would last.

But I don’t think this is completely our fault. People might argue that this generation is lazy and impatient, but I think we’re overwhelmed. all this pressure to perform without being given the time to learn and improve can only lead to burnout. On top of that, we’re held to strict, robotic standards that don’t leave room for the nuance and flexibility that’s natural to us as humans. Things move so quickly these days that we’re trained to believe there’s not enough time to work toward the long term. And when you don’t believe you can work toward the future, you settle for the simple pleasures of the current moment. It’s like building sandcastles. Would you put all your effort into recreating the Palace of Versailles on the beach if you knew the tide was just going to come and wash it away?

The obvious answer to this problem is that we need to slow down, but that’s not something we can do on our own. We need a cultural understanding of why slowing down is important in the first place. We need to make a conscious decision to choose quality over quick results, health over productivity, and deeper meaning over cheap symbolism. We need jobs that don’t treat their workers like replaceable parts. We need communities that value people over profit. We need to create a world where everything matters down to the most minute detail, or else we will keep ourselves stuck in this cycle for much longer than we intend to.

[great-health-stuff]

🍟🍕🍩 That Intense Junk Food Craving? It's Not Just Lack of Willpower! Here's Why & How to Outsmart It

Ever find yourself practically haunted by the thought of chips, cookies, or pizza, even when you're not truly hungry? 😩 You try to resist, but the craving feels HUGE and eventually, you cave... only to feel guilty later?

STOP beating yourself up! Junk food cravings are complex, driven by a mix of biology, psychology, and habit. It's not just about willpower! Understanding why they hit can be the first step to managing them.

What's Fueling Those Cravings?

Your Brain's Reward System 🧠: Junk foods (high in sugar, fat, salt) trigger a dopamine release in your brain – the same neurotransmitter linked to pleasure and reward. Your brain essentially says, "YES! Do that again!" creating a powerful feedback loop.

The Blood Sugar Rollercoaster 🎢: Sugary/refined carb snacks cause a rapid blood sugar spike, followed by a crash. When you crash, your body screams for more quick energy... often leading you right back to more junk.

Habit & Association 🔗: Always eat popcorn during movies? Crave sweets when stressed? These become learned associations. Your brain links the cue (movie, stress) with the reward (snack), making the craving almost automatic.

Gut Feelings (Literally!) 🦠: Your gut microbiome (the trillions of bacteria in your gut) can influence cravings! Some bacteria thrive on sugar and may send signals to your brain demanding more of their preferred fuel.

Emotional Triggers ❤️‍🩹: Feeling stressed, sad, bored, or even celebrating? Many of us learn to use food (especially comfort food) to cope with or enhance emotions.

Lack of Sleep & Hydration 😴💧: Being tired messes with hunger hormones (ghrelin and leptin), increasing cravings. Dehydration can also sometimes be mistaken for hunger.

Okay, So How Do We Outsmart Them? (Hint: Not Just Denial!)

Identify Your Triggers: Notice when and why cravings strike. Are you stressed? Bored? Tired? Watching TV? Awareness is power.

Hydrate First: Before grabbing the junk, drink a big glass of water and wait 10-15 minutes. Sometimes thirst masquerades as hunger.

Eat Balanced Meals: Prioritize protein, healthy fats, and fiber in your main meals. This keeps blood sugar stable and prevents energy crashes that trigger desperate cravings.

Have Healthy Swaps Ready: If you know you crave crunchy things, keep nuts, seeds, or crunchy veggies handy. Crave sweet? Have fruit or Greek yogurt available. Preparation is key!

Manage Stress Differently: Find non-food coping mechanisms for stress – go for a walk, listen to music, deep breathe, journal, call a friend.

Prioritize Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep to help regulate those hunger hormones.

Practice Mindful Indulgence: If you really want the treat, allow yourself a small portion. Eat it slowly, savor it without guilt or distraction. Often, a little satisfies the craving without derailing you.

Crowd Out, Don't Just Cut Out: Focus on adding more nutrient-dense whole foods to your diet. This naturally leaves less room and desire for junk.

Understanding your cravings makes them less mysterious and powerful. Be patient and compassionate with yourself – it's about building awareness and healthier habits, one choice at a time. ✨

What's YOUR biggest junk food craving trigger? 👇